Violence against the Monks
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The Generals' Policies are a Bizarre Interpretation of the teaching of Buddha
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The army boots kicked and the rifle butts pounded the heads of the monks as they were forced to disrobe and wear white prison uniforms while being taunted with nicknames instead of being addressed by their true titles. These events occurred earlier this year during the violent crack down on the peaceful protestors in Burma.
Earlier this year over one million people took to the streets in peaceful protest calling for national reconciliation, the release of all political prisoners and for an improvement in the living standard of the people. General Than Shwe, the leader of the SPDC, should be ashamed to call the country of Burma a Buddhist country. So why did the leaders of this Buddhist country raid the monasteries, and beat and kill the monks? It is clearly due to the military regimes intolerance of anyone challenging their power. The military use martial law to stop anyone challenging their position of power in Burma.
It is hard to believe that the military leaders are committed to the principles of Buddhism. The military junta has had churches and mosques destroyed and built pagodas in the same locations instead. They build pagodas everywhere in Burma and they regard their country as a leading Buddhist country.
If you travel to Burma the first thing you will always see is the sublime white or golden colour of the pagodas or you will hear the sounds of the bells from the pagodas.
Now those sites have been turned into a place of bloodshed. The military troops attacked the monasteries at midnight - beating and arresting the monks without question. Traditionally, monasteries and temples are places where people have sermon, preach and meditate. They are holy and sacred places where soldiers should not carry out such atrocities.
Violence against the monks was a new move under the rule of the dictatorship in Burma. The thousands of monks marching peacefully in protest and the following arrests and beatings has brought together both the citizens of Burma and people around the world to stand up to the regime. During the marches the junta clearly acted ruthlessly towards the monks and protesters. Those arrested were brutally tortured both physically and mentally.
Even after this bitter experience, the civilians are brave enough to make change happen in their country from a dictatorship to a democracy. The people are fed up with the rule of the ruthless military regime. The people known that if they do not get rid of the current military regime, they will last forever. The regime will remain as killers of the world, who killed their own people. The international community should help find a way to end the bloodshed in Burma.
Even though the protests were cracked down on by the military people still gained some benefits from their action. The protest brought the attention of the international communities to support the movement of the people in Burma and apply pressure to the regime. The people are ready for another round of protests.
To go to the other articles published in the October 2007 BI Newsletter click on the links below:
Driven from their Homes: How the SPDC's use of forced labour affects the lives of grassroots people in Burma
Saffron Revolution: Recent Protests in Burma
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