Burmese Monks Become Spiritual Warriors
The two-week confrontation between Burma’s monks and military is no ordinary uprising, but a deeper struggle between spiritual and worldly forces in a country torn between the two polar opposites. 
“Conditions are now critical for the monks,” says Ashin Asabhacara, head of the Burma-America Buddhist Association based in Maryland. “The military break into the monasteries at night, torture monks and throw them in jail. Their hunger for power is making them do terrible things and it will end very badly for them.”
Unlike earlier protests in Burma in the past two decades, the Buddhist clergy are taking the lead in demanding social justice and a new political order. And as protests continue, with mounting casualties, the monasteries are the focus of brutal attacks from the heavily armed 400,000-strong military.
But the unarmed monks are retaliating with spiritual tactics that are also powerful in a country where most of the population begins the day with prayers and offerings, and the vast majority believes that good deeds are spiritual capital.
For the monks, refusing food and alms from the military is a gesture that goes to the heart of Burmese Buddhism.
It was backed by an “excommunicative boycott” declared by a group of exiled monks, cutting off religious support from the junta and its supporters.
“The monks of Burma are poor, and they are unarmed, but they exert a life-and-death power over the population,” says Guy Horton, a British-based human rights consultant who has spent a decade collecting evidence of the Burmese military’s atrocities.
“This goes much deeper than ideology. The government has tried to buy off the monks by building temples and other things. But by attacking the monks they are putting their afterlives in grave danger,” says Horton, who is calling on Canada to join a campaign to bring the junta leaders to justice.
Monks normally begin the day by begging for food, and people who fill their bowls earn credits for the afterlife, known as karma. When monks reject food by overturning their bowls it puts the would-be donors in danger of a terrifying spiritual future.
“It’s a very high-pressure tactic,” explains Bruce Matthews, a Burma expert and professor emeritus of comparative religion at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. “It denies the military their credits. If they die without enough, their rebirth would be at a lower order of existence.”
The junta’s generals are heavily influenced by Buddhism, says Horton. “They’re terrified of the monkhood. They’re endlessly filming themselves going to the pagodas, and half of Burmese television is about the military bringing gifts there.”
Monks play a role in all major aspects of life, attending marriages and funerals, acting as spiritual counsellors and educating the poor. They run schools, hospitals and orphanages, an alternative welfare system in a desperately poor country with out-of-control inflation.
They also have strength in numbers: about 500,000 people devote their lives to the clergy, but hundreds of thousands of others have spent time in monasteries.
In spite of their unworldly image, Burma’s Buddhist clergy have been in the vanguard of political life for decades, sometimes working in partnership with the rulers.
“When you go back in history to how Burma came together, you see that there was a close alliance between monks and warrior kings,” says Priscilla Clapp, former chief of mission in the U.S. embassy in Burma. “They took care of people, but they made sure they served the king.”
Now, says Clapp, the two generals running the junta see themselves as “modern warrior kings” and have tried - but failed - to resurrect the old partnership. The excesses of the regime, and wretchedness of the Burmese people, have driven the monks to the streets.
“The junta is scared. It’s faced with a saffron revolution,” she says, referring to the golden colour of some Buddhist robes.
Rank and file soldiers, and some commanders, may be listening to their own spiritual doubts as the demonstrations continue. Unconfirmed rumours abound of two infantry divisions refusing orders to shoot the demonstrators, threatening a split in the army.
These paradoxes of power make the outcome of Burma’s democracy marches hard to predict.
Some analysts take the military’s hesitation to order wholesale slaughter of the demonstrators as a sign that the regime is breaking down. Others point out that an institution with an iron grip on government, media and economic life is unlikely to crack over months, let alone days, of protest.
“Burma is the most militarized country in the world,” says David Steinberg, director of Asian Studies at Georgetown University. “All power is centralized and personalized. It’s difficult to see the junta compromising and some kind of civil-military partnership coming about.”
Even under brutal attack, the monks could claim a moral victory, says Matthews. “Whether they will prevail against the military is difficult to see. But they have done something extraordinary. Even if they and the democratic activists fail this time, the handwriting is on the wall for the junta.”
© Copyright Toronto Star 1996-2007
Similar to the Buddhist monks are the nuns and priests of Latin America. The V Conference “Aparecida” of Latin American Bishops and its Final Document approved by Pope Benedict this summer also reaffirmed that their mission is to support the poor and Indigenous Peoples as essential for the future. It is solidly based in the gospel. To consistantly speak gospel truth to worldly power. There is a shared legacy as with Oscar Romero and Sister Dorothy Stang, Martin King, Ghandi, Desmond Tutu and countless unamed spirits engaging the struggle.
The truth of spiritual integrity of necessity stands ‘for’ not ‘against’. Institutions of longstanding policy of holding that of the divine in all persons also recognize when the darkening of that light becomes overwhelming those who see it are called to uphold the divine light. This is regardless of whether it appears in Islam, Buddhism, Catholicism, Judaism, Indigenous spirituality, or any other sacred form.
Two bits of Christian parable wisdom come to mind: knowing a tree by its fruit (Mt.7) and the mustard seed (Mt 17:20).
There is a humorous piece about Desmond Tutu during the struggle in SA. It is said that on the muddy streets of one township Tutu and and a powerful South African came face to face on a board laid over the mud. The SA recognizing the Bishop growled, “I do not make way for traitors”. Tutu, stepping into the mud, and with a deep flourish replied, “Ah, but I do.”
Namaste
Peace
It is hard to conceive how the junta, composed for the most part of Buddhists, could exchange huge karmic debt for a few years of temporal power, but that seems to be the way of the world, today.
May the monks overcome guns with prayer. Hopefully without to many martyrs.
Om mani padme hum
And let us not forget Gandhi and Badshah Khan beginning with the famous “Salt Marches.” I find it interesting that the US press gives more coverage to the Burmese demonstartions than the ones here. Or maybe they are trying to show us our fate when the crackdown begins.
Until the US populace gets the courage to take to the streets and follow the example of Gandhi’s non-violent marches and demonstrations nothing will change. The people have got to WANT the Constitution restored enough to ACT accordingly. If there is no such desire, there will will be no more US Constitution (except in name only).
Things will change only when a populace is alienated and hopeless.
Then they may :
STAND UP - for what they beleive to be right.
SIT DOWN - in the nearest street to bring transportaion, retail, everything to a standstill.
FIGHT - I hope like Gandhi’s Pathan friend Badshar Khan(Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan) (check him out)a Pashtun nonviolent Muslim
FIGHT - Even if it means sacrifice to themselves to totally repudiate the oligarchy
FIGHT - As if their lives depend on active resistance - which they do
When people realize that they cannot ignore the actions of the government and relaize they themselves are the governmet, only then is change possible.
What a shame to let cowardice bring down such a noble experiment of human governance!!
Here are some comments by a man who stood by Gandhi - Badshah Khan, who led a 100,000 person army of non-violent Pashtuns from the Khyber pass region. He was a Pashtun (Afghan) political and spiritual leader known for his non-violent opposition to British Rule during the final years of the Empire on the Indian sub-continent. He was a lifelong pacifist and a devout Muslim. He was known as Badshah Khan (sometimes written as Bacha Khan), the `King of Chiefs’, and `Frontier Gandhi’.
“To me nonviolence has come to represent a panacea for all the evils that surround my people. Therefore I am devoting all my energies toward the establishment of a society that would be based on its principles of truth and peace.” –
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
“Today’s world is traveling in some strange direction. You see that the world is going toward destruction and violence. And the specialty of violence is to create hatred among people and to create fear. I am a believer in nonviolence and I say that no peace or tranquility will descend upon the people of the world until nonviolence is practiced, because nonviolence is love and it stirs courage in people.” – Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan to an interviewer in 1985
His story is contained in ‘Nonviolent Soldier of Islam: Badshah Khan, A Man To Match His Mountains’, by Eknath Easwaran (Published by Nilgiri Press).
Also see NPR highlights:
http://www.npr.org/programs/musings/2003/jan/khan.html?sc=emaf
curmudgeon99,
Thanks for the info about Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
Thanks to these courageous monks, I’ve learned something about Burma (Myanmar) - it is rich in oil and gas.
There is now a government crackdown in Burma (Myanmar) which is, of course, undemocratic. The US seems to chafe at undemocratic regimes, especially those with oil.
Let’s watch.
In the sixties and seventies we took to the streets also. Now we set behind our computers and post, e-mail and read articles. Hows that been working for us? We all need to find our monk within, and take our message back to the streets. Think million patriot march!
Sorry, Namaste, but the Catholic Church has done more damage in Latin America than the good some nuns and priests have done. The Pope speaks about social justice but in the end the bishops and their priests always side with the South American oligarchies.
Radical priests that support social movements are removed from any position where they can actually do some good for their constituency. The Church loves to parade their martyrs while doing dirty work of the fascists
It’s time for Catholics to take back their Church from the malicious men running it.
ISRAEL SOLD WEAPONS TO MYANMAR JUNTA, THEN LIES ABOUT THE SALES.
Now hold on to your seats as this may come as a shock, but Israel has been lying thru its teeth about weapon sales to the Burma/Myanmar junta that is currently violently opposing a peaceful uprising, by shooting Buddhist monks.
The 9/29 Israel paper Ha’aretz carried entitled “Israel urges Myanmar gov’t to refrain from harming protesters.
The story stated that… ” Israel is concerned by the situation in Myanmar, and urges the government to demonstrate restraint…” And that “Israel denies selling weapons to Burma or Myanmar.”
Concerned about the situation or concerned that some of those Israeli weapons will be used to murder monks?
From the World War IV Report:
Israeli military aid to Burmese regime: Jane’s
Submitted by David Bloom on Sat, 09/29/2007 - 20:14.
“The Burmese junta currently shooting unarmed protestors received a cynical plea for restraint from the Israel government on Sept. 29. According to the Israeli paper Ha’aretz, the Israeli foreign ministry announced “Israel is concerned by the situation in Myanmar, and urges the government to demonstrate restraint and refrain from harming demonstrators.” The article ended by pointing out that “Israel denies selling weapons to Burma or Myanmar.” (Ha’aretz, Sept. 29)
Not true, according a March 1, 2000 report in the authoritative British publication Jane’s Intelligence Review by William Ashton. The article, titled “Myanmar and Israel develop military,” details how Israeli companies and the Israeli government have been supplying and developing weapons for the Burmese regime, and sharing intelligence:
In August 1997 it was revealed that the Israeli defence manufacturing company Elbit had won a contract to upgrade Myanmar’s (then) three squadrons of Chinese-built F-7 fighters and FT-7 trainers. The F-7 is a derivative of the Mikoyan MiG-21 ‘Fishbed’ jet fighter….”
And to see proof of even more Israeli weapons sold to Myanmar’s ruling junta, like machine guns and artillery pieces, check out this article in JANE’s Intelligence Review.
http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/reg.burma/archives/200008/msg00005.html
Just received by email ..
Burma: A Global Roar from Ricken Patel - Avaaz.org
Dear friends,
Burma’s generals have brought their brutal iron hand down on peaceful monks and protesters — but in response, a massive global outcry is gathering pace. The roar of global public opinion is being heard in hundreds of protests outside Chinese and Burmese embassies, people round the world wearing the monks’ color red, and on the internet– where our petition has exploded to over 200,000 signers in just 72 hours.
People power can win this. Burma’s powerful sponsor China can halt the crackdown, if it believes that its international reputation and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing depend on it. To convince the Chinese government and other key countries, Avaaz is launching a major global and Asian ad campaign on Wednesday, including full page ads in the Financial Times and other newspapers, that will deliver our message and the number of signers. We need 1 million voices to be the global roar that will get China’s attention. If every one of us forwards this email to just 20 friends, we’ll reach our target in the next 72 hours. Please sign the petition at the link below -if you haven’t already- and forward this email to everyone you care about:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/t.php
The pressure is working - already, there are signs of splits in the Burmese Army, as some soldiers refuse to attack their own people. The brutal top General, Than Shwe, has reportedly moved his family out of the country – he must fear his rule may crumble.
The Burmese people are showing incredible courage in the face of horror. We’re broadcasting updates on our effort over the radio into Burma itself – telling the people that growing numbers of us stand with them. Let’s do everything we can to help them – we have hours, not days, to do it. Please sign the petition and forward this email to at least 20 friends right now. Scroll down our petition page for details of times and events to join in the massive wave of demonstrations happening around the world at Burmese and Chinese embassies.
With hope and determination,
Ricken, Paul, Pascal, Graziela, Galit, Ben, Milena and the whole Avaaz Team
It is a clash of the powers with the general populace caught in the middle or used as pawns to an extent. The government dictatorship oppresses the populace on this mundane earth level, while the monks use religion to influence and oppress in this life AND the afterlife.
It is sad that so many people believe that monks or any other clergy types can speak for God by claiming they can raise or lower one’s level in the afterlife depending on how pleased they are by the individual. And threatening karmic retribution by their own hand to their fellow man really ‘takes the cake’. Is there a more effective way to separate man from his Creator? It is a one two punch between governments and churches each taking turns pounding the wedge between man and his God.
What we have here is two oppressive controling manipulating self serving forces at war with one another neither of which is a friend to the people.
In Burma , the Junta has suggested several preconditions to talks. Here are a few additional suggestions to them:
1. KEYS
Now that they have rounded up all the pro democracy leaders, just pass the keys over and exchange places.
2. DRESS
Exchange their military garb for monks robes, retire under house arrest in the monastaries for fifteen years and every morning try to beg for food.
3 TRAVEL
Pack for the trip to the Hague; when the Gurkhas come to get them, there will be little time to organize all those jewels
Donald Jenkins, Q.C.
Orillia, Canada
jetsara@sympatico.ca
705-326-1927