The monk hunk: Photographs of buff Buddhist go viral in Thailand

Pictures of a monk hunk so muscular he's bursting out of his robes have gone viral in Thailand.

The identity of the buff Buddhist, who was photographed in the humble orange attire of the Southeast Asian country's monastic order, is not known.

But while he might have signed up for a life of contemplating existence, tens of thousands of ogling social media users are happy simply to contemplate him.

The holy hottie is thought to have shared the photos to raise awareness about the health of monks, writes the Daily Mail.

According to Coconuts, he wanted to advise the public to change their habit of giving monks fatty and sugary foods as alms.

The monk's identity is not known.

Alongside his admirers, however, have been those keen to criticise the big man for his perceived vanity.

Monks should spend their time dwelling on the nature of the universe, their argument goes, rather than trying to grow their biceps.

Others commenting online said that the muscly monk must have spent many a year religiously lifting weights to become so huge - implying he had only just signed up for the life of an ascetic.

Some have criticised his perceived vanity.

But according to the Facebook page Piak Rider, the pictures were actually taken in 2011 by a man who was only in the holy order briefly before opening his own restaurant.