Red faces over monk mayhem

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

This secretly shot footage shows supposedly abstemious Buddhist monks smoking, drinking and playing poker for big stakes at a luxury hotel.

Six leaders of South Korea's largest Buddhist order have quit over the scandal.

The Jogye order's spiritual leader has apologised publicly.

HIGHEST SPIRITUAL LEADER AT JOGYE ORDER, JINJE, SAYING:

"They did a bad thing, following the junior monks, I will self-repent on their behalf."

The monks marathon poker session for stakes worth more than 875, 000 dollars has shocked many, just days before a national holiday to mark the birth of Buddha.

Gambling outside licensed casinos and horse racing tracks is illegal in South Korea and frowned on by religious leaders.

The monks' actions have led to media speculation of a power split within the order which has some 10 million followers.

Paul Chapman, Reuters