與緬甸抗議民眾站在同一陣線
September 27, 2007 7:33 pmI’m sure most of us have heard this news already, sometimes we may wonder there are so many things that are out of our country and is there anything we can do about it? I do believe the mind is strong, with enough people with the same aim, we can make a different! Here is a quote from a Petition to support the Burmese Protesters.
緬甸在世界最殘酷的軍閥獨裁政府之ㄧ的統治下.幾十年來緬甸政府不停的對人民施壓–監禁翁山蘇姬及其他民主激進份子,剷平成千上萬的村莊,增加勞工的負擔,造成難民的產生-但是上星期二在緬甸備受尊敬的佛教僧侶與尼姑開始他們的遊行與誦經祈願.這些遊行感染到成千上萬的一般民眾及公共人物來加入且尋找到他們已失去的希望.他們現在正在面臨鎮壓-所以請團結一致的簽署這緊急的請願書來支持緬甸人民的民主運動–此請願書這整星期將會被遞交到聯合國安全理事會會員及國際性的媒體手中:
過去緬甸軍隊曾屠殺示威運動者且抹殺民主主義.世界這次一定要站再緬甸人民這一邊來讓軍閥統治者知道世界人民是不會允許暴力鎮壓.線在全球各地領導們要參加在紐約舉行的年度聯合國高峰會.不論是演講,媒體訪問,或是真實的行動,我們需要他們來向緬甸軍隊表示全球社會將會與緬甸遊行運動民眾團結一致.證明你對這和平民主運動團結一致的心且簽署這緊急的請願書來支持緬甸人民.此請願書將會在本週遞交到聯合國安全理事會會員及聯合國媒體手中:
南無阿彌陀佛
世界和平，人民安乐。正法久住，法轮常转。
灾障消灭，祸患不生。法界有情，同生极乐。
Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal military dictatorships in the world. For decades the Burmese regime has fought off pressure–imprisoning elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and democracy activists, wiping out thousands of villages, imposing forced labour, creating refugees-
But last Tuesday Buddhist monks and nuns, revered in Burma, began marching and chanting prayers. The protests spread as hundreds of thousands of ordinary people and public figures joined in, finding the hope they’d lost. Now they’re facing crackdown – so please, show your solidarity to this movement towards reconciliation and democracy and sign the emergency petition supporting the Burmese people — it’ll be delivered to United Nations Security Council members and international media all week:
In the past, Burma’s military rulers have massacred the demonstrators and crushed democracy. The world must stand with the Burmese people at this time, to show the military rulers that the world will not tolerate repression and violence.
Right now, global leaders are gathering in New York for the annual United Nations summit. In speeches, press interviews but also in real actions, we need them to show Burma’s military junta that the global community is willing to act in solidarity with the protesters.
Show your solidarity to this movement for peace and democracy and sign the emergency petition supporting the Burmese people. It’ll be delivered to UN Security Council members and the UN press corps all week:
Namo Amituofo
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. ~Buddha
15 Responses to “與緬甸抗議民眾站在同一陣線”
Oh… Yea…
I know too little about it to have a stand this time…I am sure there is a lot of injustice going on. I guess its just that George W Bush is doing this because of “democracy” but I don’t know why China isn’t doing anything, and the Monks all seemed so political.
Like all the different “wars”, its another battle between people - and somehow this time there is a religious twist to the whole situation, and the religion is Buddhism.
Sigh…in this world of politics and religion…The challenge of Modernity.
But having said that, of course I do believe there is a good cause in this.
Thanks for the comment, I agree it’s more difficult this time espically with monks involved. I guess I will just look at it from the intention - Right Intention, Right Action.
Kamil… read this page… it would help:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7018285.stm
i have a friend (you know… Thiha?) who’s Burmese… and I have been quite familiar with the plight of the Burmese people (like the UK and most of those taking a pro-democracy stance, I have never recognised the name of ‘Myanmar’). well, the people just want freedom from oppression, really. fear is in their blood. not much of a religious ‘twist’ - aside from the monks being involved… but that’s just ‘cos historically they have had a role to play as the people’s voices. the situation is almost like Indonesia, but with monks spearheading and initiating. there is no other group in Burma which is capable of moving the masses in such a way - the people need them. human rights and democracy needs them. and from a religious point of view… although i’m not Buddhist… Buddhism isn’t really a religion to begin with… but more of a philosophy? to cultivate good (as the Dalai Lama said) and to address the issues of the human condition and morals and codes of conduct. when the state, when the governing body of a country of a people of Buddhists… is morally corrupt, i doubt that the moral leaders would be able to withstand inaction and a deterioration of the condition. although you may say they should ’sui yuen’ as well and all that. but the junta restricts even Buddhism activities and its practices, and the government can derobe any monk. their involvement and influence is inevitable… although that being said, it is not the entire country’s monks who are involved. more likely, as the BBC offered, the majority are un-political.
Like Hong Kong, I suppose, people want to have their rights to their “freedom”. I also heard that only 10% of the monks are political. I guess I am a little bit surprised this time that the monks got political, especially for Buddhism as, you correctly put it, its more of a philosophy to reduce the suffering of the people.
However, the thing is, Buddhism in Burma (or Myanmar) does have a certain power, since most people must become a monk (almost like a military service in Singapore) - so I am just wondering that it is really more of a power struggle between the state and the high monks. Of course, there are also a lot of brutalities which must be stopped.
Sun said whether USA and (the new) France wants to see other countries in unrest so that they could have more power over the world…
Thanks to both for sharing your views, I agree the people need to monks and it’s good that they step up and lead. About ’sui yuen’ , it still means that we should try and put in all our effort for something we believe is right and good for others, ’sui yuen’ means that we don’t hold on to the past and dream about the further but concentrate on the present, and also no get upset or too happy with the results because we don’t have total control over the results, we can only do our best during the process. May the result be good or bad, at least they tried.
I cannot believe the government has the right to derobe any monk! I also believe that monks involved are un-political but will not further comment, I hope you understand why. I believe if the intention is pure, it doesn’t matter if it’s political or not. If politics can help people, it’s ok to get involve, but the one who is involved must be ‘ready’ with compassion and no selfishness.
mmm… just a short comment on “most people must become a monk (almost like a military service in Singapore)” - it may be common and customary for males of all ages and from all backgrounds in Burma to enter monkhood, be it for a few days or for life, but it certainly is not compulsory. a monk’s ordination is voluntary and celebrated by all. liking it to the way people embrace Buddhism in Thailand would be more appropriate than saying it’s like national service in Singapore; that would be be-belittling those who don the robe!
Indeed, it’s very fortunate to be a monk, even for a few days. Not everyone can and it’s not easy, not easy at all!
出家乃大丈夫之事，非將相所能為
Related: 論出家
sorry…Again, don’t know enough about Burma to say much about it. -_- My comments are (or should be taken) quite weightless(ly) in this discussion.
I do think that it is a great blessing to be able to “truly” be a monk. Don’t think its easy. I was analysing it in a political standpoint (without knowing much about it).
And, I understand that both of you would take this situation more to heart (with your connection to Burma and Buddhism).
I’ve only realised how little i know about South East Asia recently. And especially when the protests started happening in Burma. I don’t suppose we will fully understand what is going on behind the scenes, but I don’t imagine buddhism involvement in politics to be anything resembling power struggle.
“Their political role stems from the days of the Burmese monarchy, which operated until the late 19th century, under which monks worked as intermediaries between the monarch and the public, and lobbied the king over unpopular moves such as heavy taxation, said Mr Aung Kin.”
(See link below)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7014173.stm
And I’m slightly frustrated that ASEAN is so complacent about the whole issue… ASEAN’s presidency now belonging to Singapore. And all I read in the news the other day is how Singapore’s foreign minister has met with UN envoy and given some word of sympathy with regards to the situation. And how proud they are that the UN envoy was stopping over in Singapore en route to Burma. Sigh…
There was an article in the Straits Times… I think it was yesterday’s… singing praises of Singapore and ASEAN (living up to their name and daring to speak up or something)… going as far as to declare Foreign Minister George Yeo as a ‘real hero’. I nearly gorged my eyes out.
Have a look at Monbiot’s article:
http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2007/10/02/the-juntas-accomplices/#more-1083
Just found a blog entry “For the Buddhist Monks in Burma” by Ajahn Khemadhammo on this topic.
I am skeptical when somebody declearing their fighting agaist “brutal” goverment.
Your proving of A is wrong doesn’t make your B right. Don’t forget the history, there were revolutions fought against old world and the result is many country drove into communist night mares.
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