Buddhist dilemma over ants

Buddhist monks in Malaysia are struggling to combat an infestation of stinging red ants - without killing any of them.

Monks at the Hong HockSee Temple in Kuala Lumpur face a moral dilemma because of their belief in non-violence.

The insects have plagued the temple for a year and one worshipper needed hospital treatment after being bitten, reports Sky News.

A disciple has since tried using a vacuum cleaner to gather up the ants before freeing them in a nearby forest, but the method failed to purge the swarm.

Elma Lin, a temple volunteer, said: "We haven't found a solution so far. Nothing has worked."

The temple's chief, Boon Keng, said the monks had to "respect other living things" in the temple.