I certainly think the rapidly growing Isaan Lanna secessionist movement has learnt all the lessons of Patani’s increasingly succesful revolt – especially the lesson that the more you provoke the Thai Armed Forces, the more your separatist movement will grow.
Better check that statistics again!
The problems with Malaysia
1. Pervasive corruption
2. Cronyism
3. Multiple standards in application of Law
4. Perverted “Malay supremacy” embedded in ruling Government psyche
5. pervasive and Twisted “affirmative” action
6. Patronage system
7. “Manja” requirement
In Islamic faith and Buddhist tradition of Teravada branch there is no supreme authority like the Pope. Of course in Buddhism it is simply a philosophy one can choose to understand or not Buddha could not care the least. Monks got rules complied according to local traditions and checked by nearby clergy and laity. Drunken monk would simply be forced to leave buy communal derision rather than a military court order and forcible removal.
Now the Burmese society is changed and confused with total loss of compass not knowing good from bad anymore, Monkhood also seems to have equivalent of a Brigadier General with so many councils and functionaries on command along with executioners. A position occupants, predictably seem to enjoy very much involving well frequent touted foreign travels and endless perks at time majority public in the country are simply kicked off the aldn on pains of death and left to starve on the streets by their extended families as this WONDERFUL Great Democratization Comedy, ASEAN-ing, Chinese -sucking, American -sucking is happily surging forth.
Either people realize their foolishness,greed,ignorance and Mawha is leading them to their imminent rapid and abysmal demise or they will simply continue to wrap around their own neck ropes given out freely and profusely by the Japanese, Chinese and those Ultimate Protectors of Human Kind (Plan B’s) the “WEST.” or is it “Civilized Countries”- as opposed to barbarian the rest of the world- as one Ukrainian clown described this week?
Your comments are silly, and the very fact that Singapore has no agriculture defeats your very argument, which is with yourself. A large proportion of Malaysians are also in the service industry, That has nothing to do with the fact that Malaysia has more opposition parties than Singapore, which is a fact, and that as weak as the Malaysian opposition parties are, they still control several states in Malaysia, where once UMNO/BN controlled all but two, and even earlier, all of Malaysia. How many opposition Parliamentarians in Singapore, then ? Six, I believe, and they have no power and little money and do not get 50 % of the vote in Singapore (yet), though the Worker’s Party and the Democratic Party of Singapore does have some loyal support, but suppressed by the PAP. Agriculture in Malaysia only proves that vast differences between Singapore and Malaysia, my own argument at the outset, and in fact, UMNO and PAS get most rural support, and DAP and PKR get more urban support. Oh, is Singapore a trading post ? You are making my argument, which is that both nations have little in common but autocracy and some commercial industries, far more successful in Singapore than Malaysia, so you are arguing with yourself. Malaysian Airlines (MAS) has been in debt for at least 30 years, Singapore Airlines (SAS) has had a surplus for at least 30 years. That epitomises the difference between Malaysia and Singapore.
You will forgive me, but as I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MALAYA/SINGAPORE and spent close to 40 years there, from before independence to after Malaysia’s and Singapore’s independence, I think I know a little about both Malaysia and Singapore, Sir. Thank you for the lecture, as if I didn’t know that Singapore was a city state, primarily engaged in commerce, service industries, education, and biotechnology (more recently).
Were you born there, and have you spent 40 years in either nation ? Are you fluent in
Mandarin and Bahasa Melayu ? I thought not.
Yes JohnH, a decent Reform plan would be good ! But maybe he is just being realistic, in that Good reform Plans are soon forgoten or over rueled by Family Interests around here, … Well other then when the Monarch
kindly Introduces them … So maybe just geting rid of the corrupt, and nepotistic Shinawatras is as much as he and all of the rest of us can hope for ! ? – “Centeral Thai” ? Mark
Now a few weeks down the line from the original post, I see that Mr. Suthep continues to rail agaisnt all things Shinawattra, but has still said nothing about his ‘reform plans’ in any detail.
I know these things take time, but surely if the ranting Suthep truly wanted broader support for his cause celebre, surely a clear and tangible framework of reform might just be useful here.
In the absence of any such framework, I am forced to suggest that Suthep is not at all sincere about any meaningful reform and is indeed simply a puppet, dancing to the tune set by his sinister and invisible masters.
This is silly. A large proportion of the Malaysian population is employed in agriculture, though with increasing numbers in manufacturing. Singapore is a trading post, with a few people turning out Soundblaster cards.
If Malaysia followed the Singapore model, which it does not at all, there would be no opposition parties representing about 50 % of the electoral vote and voting preferences, even accounting for how ineffectual Malaysian opposition parties are. There would be a Per Capita GDP closer to $60,000 USD/annum and
not $14,000 USD/annum. There were would be
an unemployment rate of about 4 % or less.
There would be competent, even if autocratic, leadership capable of micromanaging the country. There would be no Islamic radicalism and calls for Malay supremacy. There would be no outlawing of the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Malay Christians. There were would be intelligent judges on the High Court who speak perfect English, even if they are all Government appointed and not entirely independent. There would be clean streets, gutters, trains running on time, people who work 8 am-6 pm, and there would be affordable health care and a reasonable safety net.
There would also be more trade with China, closer relations with the US and Australia,
and, finally, a Prime Minister who works 14 hour days.
Other than autocracy, poor treatment of guest workers at times, and a somewhat ineffectual group of opposition parties (or in Singapore, one ineffectual but sincere opposition party), there is little that Singapore and Malaysia have in common, including the fact that Singapore is about 78 % Singaporean-Chinese and Malaysia is about 23 % Malaysian-Chinese. UMNO/BN is both autocratic and incompetent; I would argue that the PAP is merely autocratic, as even many of its detractors will acknowledge that the PAP is quite competent, if quite autocratic as well.
One of the differences between the struggle for national liberation and today’s class struggle is the nationalistic Buddhist clergy can now fall prey to divide and rule. Unsurprisingly the so called mavericks and rogues tend to serve the same side as the senior official appointees. In due course they’ll be swept away.
Seems Malaysian democracy will remain a fiction as long as the country continues to follow the singaporean model of rule by control of the law courts to remove any effective opposition. Anyone there understand the doctrine of separation of powers? Couple this with rigging of electorates, religious sectarianism, ethnic disharmony and any meaningful democratic movement is still a long way away.
“Monks were better placed to get involved in politics due to their privileged, iconic status in Buddhist nations.”
In true Buddhism, nothing matters compared to finding or understanding the truth of being an being.
These are just cowardly, dishonest men hiding inside the robe of Buddha’s sons, to usurp the position and privilege. They do not deserve to be called monks. But simply cowardly agitators committing usury.
It simply reflecst the general deterioration of morality and loss of compass on the part of the society not knowing good from bad enabling the rise of these greedy, showy, scheming, and evil people in the ranks (or in the clothes) of the monkhood.
In today’s Burma one sees monk’s preaching advertised on “vinyls” everywhere as if they are movie stars. And are treated as ones. Supermarkets sell “Monk drinkable wine”. This and that monk will give sermon in such plush hotels and donate such exorbitant amount of money flying in on military arranged special airplane, etc, etc, talking non-stop about such and such foreign trips, all of which seem so downright divergent from what any religious person should do, leave alone a monk. And now in Rangoon one sees the “Swan-dan’s” blatantly crossing the road stopping the traffic as if putting a mark of power on laity, a detestable trait they went all the way to Sri Lanka to learn.
Sri Lanka where Sinhalese Buddhist monks are always “in” with the ruling Sinhalese government is partly explained by their tumultuous cycles of total annihilation between the themselves and the Hindu Tamils at least from the time of Duttagamani.http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/bud-srilanka.pdf
Thai’s have quite an overlap with the Muslim south with neighboring Muslim nation.
But Burma has none of those troubled times and there has never been bloodshed for religion except for the ones committed by the Burmese on Thaton Mons in the past. Khin Nyunt’s season of religious division did topple invincible KNU and it is now norm to divide and rule every which way one can divide and it appears a simple and easy task as people are themselves full to the brim with nothing else but solid Lawba, Mawha and Dawtha.
This “democratic change” (one must be almost brain dead to truly believe that) is indeed humongous amplifier of Lawba (must have this, that, car, roads, buildings, anything Singapore and Yanks have, etc.) and Mawha ((Burmese are the top, top, top people, betteeeerr than the Thai’s, Loatians, anyone that comes to mind, leading the Asia in this and that, biggest and best,that sort of crap).
Such fools are always easy pray. Such fools enable such monks to grow rapidly and strongly.
Remember the maxim of the opportunists:
“Mazur 1928, “Any community that lives on staples has relatively few wants. The community that can be trained to desire . . . to want new things even before the old have been entirely consumed yields a market to be measured more by desires than by needs. And man’s desires can be developed so that they will greatly overshadow his needs.”
Sounds like a comment copy-and-pasted from ThaiVisa:
– Westerners can’t understand Thailand, it’s soooo different
– Please no criticism of Thais/Thailand (unless it’s against the Shinawatras or their allies)
– historically totally incorrect (Chamlong vs. Suchinda was 1992, almost 22 years ago, and while he stepped down from politics 1993 he returned to active politics and regained control of the party (PDP) leadership, tried to become Bangkok governor in 1996 and was later (after 2005) a crucial factor in the success (if you want to call the coup to oust Thaksin a success for the opposition) of the PAD)
– and finally the typical ThaiVisa sentence: “If you don’t like it here, then go home!”
Funny that Mark (really? Mark?) can call an incumbent government “garbage”, but thinks it’s not allowed to criticize the increasingly violent opposition and its stubborn leader.
You are 100 % correct in your comments.
I commend you, as those who would rather
trade with China, have no soul to speak
the truth about China. Kudos to you.
But predictably contradictory of confused proposals and assertions as the subject itself is.
Buddha was supposed to be clear about not worshiping (sucking up to) him or idolatry- a fact weirdly similar to the Salafists’ view on Mohammedanism as opposed to the Sufi’s practice. And Buddhism is simply a philosophy. Living beings are simply a culmination of ignorance. Awiza pyit-sa-ya thin-kha-ra. Aim is to understand that. Four (Noble) Truths.
No where in the Buddhist instructions one will ever find any little reference to kill the Kalars or screw the Thai/ Laos/ Bamas’ etc or that stupidest suggestion- “spread of the faith”.
On that score, the suggestion that (unfortunate use of word) “fundamental” Buddhist would retreat to self reflective solitude is spot on. Buddhism is nothing what-so-ever to do with spread of religion/ (populism/ showy donation, etc so popular in today’s Burma), leave alone hatred.
But this book and review was about the social use and abuse of something called Buddhism- something that can simply be packaged and flogged it to unwary punters along with Coke and chips- among the so-called Buddhist countries of Teravada brand.
It would be naive and self delusional to suggest the practitioners in these countries are lily white stickers of Buddhist teaching as it would be contradictory as true Buddhist adherent could hardly be heard from or seen. In all countries, each version is touted as true Buddhism (how absurd!) and there is plenty nationalism to go with that and racism for sure.
The “wishful” suggestion that all the bad things done recently and still going on in Burma are by the military as bogus monks is simply Ostrich.
Since 1996 or so, funded by CIA (and its different subsidiaries like NED, International Center for Non-conflict of Ackerman, etc.,etc.) Gene Sharp who wrote a book (printed in millions, translated widely and used to foment instability world wide as currently seen in Ukraine) to advise the so-called dissidents in “peaceful” resistance and countless workshops in Rangoon and the Thai borders has recruited critical mass of bored, restless, highly self-conceited and highly influential and connected young men in robes with false ideals. That was the very root of 2007 “Saffron Revolution” as one of the feathers in the cap of Sharp along with his other color revolution collections around the world.
But that ready made united, well organised using modern technology of text and iPAD army of highly motivated, restless young (some old) men is easily and simply snatched by Than Shwe and Aung Thaung to attack on the long despised Kalars on religious and racial ground showing the ugly and despicable face of the country Burma which one must have honesty and courage to accept as true face.
Only then one would realize these monks- duly ordained and are practicing in traditional way are on the wrong path and it is nothing what-so-ever with Buddhism which is now simply usurped for their ig-noble purpose and they are themselves by their own conceit and stupidity being stooges and ready highly destructive instruments to their evil masters abroad and at home.
One always has to face the truth. It has that nasty habit to catch up with one.
Anyone who thinks that Suthep is going to become a Dictator, does not understand Thai Politics …
The People are only using him in their usual 10 Yearly “Taking the Garbage out” tactics. (The Shinawatra, Northern Thai Family this time) … And when he has done this, he then very well might turn around and find that the door has been Closed behind him !!! … Like Avasit is not going to go down I think, … But Shuthep very well might !!! …
Look what happened about 10 years ago now is it ? When Chamlong eventually got rid of the Suchinder family, a Real, Military dictatorship at that time !!! ??? …
So, How long did Chamlong stick around for ? A : Not Long, as he knew what would happen, they would vote him out in favor of a more Business friendly Man …. So he just left and went to Live in a Monastery didn’t he ?
… Political Leaders come and go around here … Shuthep has come … and he will Go, I think, like the people will vote him out eventually, if he doesn’t ? …
And well also, we Folang, really should keep out of it !!! … The Thais ability to Live life like a fairy tale is an old and well known Phenomenon !!! … Maybe it is one reason why so many of us flock here to Live in a society, so different from our Own ! ?
… So let’s just let the Thais get on with it Fellows ! ? And take their own Garbage out !!! … And if you do not like it, well, we all know what you can do, Like, return to your own countries.
… Though most of you can’t, can you … as you are all already in the Fairy Tale !!! Right ?
Suriyon Raiwa rightly points out the double-edged nature of monks’ participation in anti-colonial movement and their role in recent developments in Myanmar.
As a rule, Buddhist monks are not supposed to have any role in the mundane affairs of the laity and that is what Buddha strictly prescribed. Their job is to take care of the laity’s Hereafter. Away from places where few hundred politically-active monks reside, there are hundreds of thousands of other monks doing what they are supposed to do: preaching, practising meditation and guiding the laypeople along the right path of life – and staying away from dirty politics.
That said, things could not have been so different from the idealistic scenario where Buddhists are emanating loving kindness towards all beings in the universe.
In nations where most Theravada Buddhists reside, we have seen increasingly cases where monks in saffron robes are involved in political affairs, taking part in demonstrations for or against authorities on a variety of issues. Some of the state-sponsored monks would engage in fiery rhetoric which could have landed them in hot water had they been railing against the authorities themselves. But it is difficult to connect the dots. The new quasi-civilian government keeps religious mavericks at a distance and takes no action against them. The shades and nuances of the political setting here is apparently black and white for beginners. However, if you take a closer look, things could not have been more complex. You start seeing the connection only when some of the rhetoric spouted by authorities begins to trickle out of the mouths of some religious mavericks in saffron robes. And these monks speak against the opposition citing nationalist agenda.
Involvement of religious personnel in state and political affairs was regarded favourably by Myanmar people in the colonial times when people thought twice before getting involved themselves. This reluctance is understandable in the light of heavy-handed tactics used by the British in crushing boycotts and demonstrations.
Monks were better placed to get involved in politics due to their privileged, iconic status in Buddhist nations. And get involved they did and some have even been honoured with streets and roundabouts named after them.
With the new developments here, these maverick monks are not fighting against colonial powers. They have become embroiled in the vicious infighting among Myanmar against Myanmar for no reason other than unscrupulous former dictators keeping avenues open for their continued existence, that of their cronies and most important, immunity from any prosecution for their past mismanagement and atrocities.
An average Buddhist citizen does not want to see any monk becoming political instrument of any party. Now, things are so far gone that silly rhetoric by these gullible saffron-robed people, a minority if compared with a well-meaning majority, is taken seriously. These misguided people do not represent Buddhists. The real face of Buddhism is the other side.
I just hope that the voice of reason would prevail against all odds.
What’s your point? Do you know how to “alleviate the misery of a populace”? Which populace? XYZ?
If you want to rely on the selfish Chinese to alleviate the misery of their (the tayoke) populace, go ahead. If that’s what the “half-Chinese populace” of Burma wants then so be it, but then why should Burmese dissidents (including Suu Kyi) get support or even accolades in the West? (not to mention thousands of the Burmese “populace” getting political asylum in places like Fort Wayne Indiana or Norway or England or Canada, why not Kunming China?)
Maybe Australians are also pro-Chinese (I don’t really know, the way they censored my comments on a recent NM article by Trevor Wilson), then so be it, but I do know a lot of people, not just Americans and Russians, who are keeping a wary eye on the dangerous and ambitious Chinese goal of global hegemony. The Chinese are patient. Just wait a couple of decades and you won’t see too much of these Burmese textbooks anymore. The children will be taught Mandarin, just like in Tibet.
Dear Merisa,
thanks for this wonderful lakornic piece. Lakorn has indeed an impact on audience perspective and way of logical flows in thinking. I guess there is no better large scale example than bollywood in India, where the style of sickeningly good sweet heroines/ heroic heros and totally irredeemable evil vallians is a close reflection of our own lakorn.
Part of the reason for the immersive popularity of such an industry is to cater to the escapism of the masses, no matter rich or poor, educated or not.
I really dislike the dividing line between educated versus uneducated. Having survive university, I know that intelligence and critical thinking is not prerequisite to graduating with honors. And I have met many a wise person who had little formal education, but is wise from experience. But I believe excessive watching of lakorn has equal if different influence on both groups.
More true is the ability of formally educated people to apply their logic with a twist to justify an otherwise morally or ethically wrong position, and feel righteous about their immoralty, because they had justified it somehow to themselves. That is very consistently applied in Thai lakorn, where the good guys can do no wrong and if they do its always because of something or someone else.
My mastery of English is not good, as evidenced by many comments on my poor writing, but I would dare say, if you add any more sarcasm to this essay, it would only cheapen a good classy piece of work.
Erdogan “faction” ? You mean those among PAS or UMNO, who are Islamic bigots, racists, and anti-Semites ? Oh, you mean Mahathir. Instead of quoting academic theorists, just observe Perkasa et al, and the demonisation of Kassim Ahmad, and you will know where Malaysia is heading. There is no transition to democracy in Malaysia; there is a transition to Islamic autocracy, and that is where Erdogan become relevant.
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The weakness of the Thai royalists
I certainly think the rapidly growing Isaan Lanna secessionist movement has learnt all the lessons of Patani’s increasingly succesful revolt – especially the lesson that the more you provoke the Thai Armed Forces, the more your separatist movement will grow.
Democratisation by elections and protracted transition
Better check that statistics again!
The problems with Malaysia
1. Pervasive corruption
2. Cronyism
3. Multiple standards in application of Law
4. Perverted “Malay supremacy” embedded in ruling Government psyche
5. pervasive and Twisted “affirmative” action
6. Patronage system
7. “Manja” requirement
Review of Buddhist Fury
In Islamic faith and Buddhist tradition of Teravada branch there is no supreme authority like the Pope. Of course in Buddhism it is simply a philosophy one can choose to understand or not Buddha could not care the least. Monks got rules complied according to local traditions and checked by nearby clergy and laity. Drunken monk would simply be forced to leave buy communal derision rather than a military court order and forcible removal.
Now the Burmese society is changed and confused with total loss of compass not knowing good from bad anymore, Monkhood also seems to have equivalent of a Brigadier General with so many councils and functionaries on command along with executioners. A position occupants, predictably seem to enjoy very much involving well frequent touted foreign travels and endless perks at time majority public in the country are simply kicked off the aldn on pains of death and left to starve on the streets by their extended families as this WONDERFUL Great Democratization Comedy, ASEAN-ing, Chinese -sucking, American -sucking is happily surging forth.
Either people realize their foolishness,greed,ignorance and Mawha is leading them to their imminent rapid and abysmal demise or they will simply continue to wrap around their own neck ropes given out freely and profusely by the Japanese, Chinese and those Ultimate Protectors of Human Kind (Plan B’s) the “WEST.” or is it “Civilized Countries”- as opposed to barbarian the rest of the world- as one Ukrainian clown described this week?
Democratisation by elections and protracted transition
Mr. England,
Your comments are silly, and the very fact that Singapore has no agriculture defeats your very argument, which is with yourself. A large proportion of Malaysians are also in the service industry, That has nothing to do with the fact that Malaysia has more opposition parties than Singapore, which is a fact, and that as weak as the Malaysian opposition parties are, they still control several states in Malaysia, where once UMNO/BN controlled all but two, and even earlier, all of Malaysia. How many opposition Parliamentarians in Singapore, then ? Six, I believe, and they have no power and little money and do not get 50 % of the vote in Singapore (yet), though the Worker’s Party and the Democratic Party of Singapore does have some loyal support, but suppressed by the PAP. Agriculture in Malaysia only proves that vast differences between Singapore and Malaysia, my own argument at the outset, and in fact, UMNO and PAS get most rural support, and DAP and PKR get more urban support. Oh, is Singapore a trading post ? You are making my argument, which is that both nations have little in common but autocracy and some commercial industries, far more successful in Singapore than Malaysia, so you are arguing with yourself. Malaysian Airlines (MAS) has been in debt for at least 30 years, Singapore Airlines (SAS) has had a surplus for at least 30 years. That epitomises the difference between Malaysia and Singapore.
You will forgive me, but as I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MALAYA/SINGAPORE and spent close to 40 years there, from before independence to after Malaysia’s and Singapore’s independence, I think I know a little about both Malaysia and Singapore, Sir. Thank you for the lecture, as if I didn’t know that Singapore was a city state, primarily engaged in commerce, service industries, education, and biotechnology (more recently).
Were you born there, and have you spent 40 years in either nation ? Are you fluent in
Mandarin and Bahasa Melayu ? I thought not.
Suthep’s romantic tale
Yes JohnH, a decent Reform plan would be good ! But maybe he is just being realistic, in that Good reform Plans are soon forgoten or over rueled by Family Interests around here, … Well other then when the Monarch
kindly Introduces them … So maybe just geting rid of the corrupt, and nepotistic Shinawatras is as much as he and all of the rest of us can hope for ! ? – “Centeral Thai” ? Mark
Suthep’s romantic tale
Now a few weeks down the line from the original post, I see that Mr. Suthep continues to rail agaisnt all things Shinawattra, but has still said nothing about his ‘reform plans’ in any detail.
I know these things take time, but surely if the ranting Suthep truly wanted broader support for his cause celebre, surely a clear and tangible framework of reform might just be useful here.
In the absence of any such framework, I am forced to suggest that Suthep is not at all sincere about any meaningful reform and is indeed simply a puppet, dancing to the tune set by his sinister and invisible masters.
Democratisation by elections and protracted transition
This is silly. A large proportion of the Malaysian population is employed in agriculture, though with increasing numbers in manufacturing. Singapore is a trading post, with a few people turning out Soundblaster cards.
Democratisation by elections and protracted transition
If Malaysia followed the Singapore model, which it does not at all, there would be no opposition parties representing about 50 % of the electoral vote and voting preferences, even accounting for how ineffectual Malaysian opposition parties are. There would be a Per Capita GDP closer to $60,000 USD/annum and
not $14,000 USD/annum. There were would be
an unemployment rate of about 4 % or less.
There would be competent, even if autocratic, leadership capable of micromanaging the country. There would be no Islamic radicalism and calls for Malay supremacy. There would be no outlawing of the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Malay Christians. There were would be intelligent judges on the High Court who speak perfect English, even if they are all Government appointed and not entirely independent. There would be clean streets, gutters, trains running on time, people who work 8 am-6 pm, and there would be affordable health care and a reasonable safety net.
There would also be more trade with China, closer relations with the US and Australia,
and, finally, a Prime Minister who works 14 hour days.
Other than autocracy, poor treatment of guest workers at times, and a somewhat ineffectual group of opposition parties (or in Singapore, one ineffectual but sincere opposition party), there is little that Singapore and Malaysia have in common, including the fact that Singapore is about 78 % Singaporean-Chinese and Malaysia is about 23 % Malaysian-Chinese. UMNO/BN is both autocratic and incompetent; I would argue that the PAP is merely autocratic, as even many of its detractors will acknowledge that the PAP is quite competent, if quite autocratic as well.
Review of Buddhist Fury
One of the differences between the struggle for national liberation and today’s class struggle is the nationalistic Buddhist clergy can now fall prey to divide and rule. Unsurprisingly the so called mavericks and rogues tend to serve the same side as the senior official appointees. In due course they’ll be swept away.
Democratisation by elections and protracted transition
Seems Malaysian democracy will remain a fiction as long as the country continues to follow the singaporean model of rule by control of the law courts to remove any effective opposition. Anyone there understand the doctrine of separation of powers? Couple this with rigging of electorates, religious sectarianism, ethnic disharmony and any meaningful democratic movement is still a long way away.
Review of Buddhist Fury
“Monks were better placed to get involved in politics due to their privileged, iconic status in Buddhist nations.”
In true Buddhism, nothing matters compared to finding or understanding the truth of being an being.
These are just cowardly, dishonest men hiding inside the robe of Buddha’s sons, to usurp the position and privilege. They do not deserve to be called monks. But simply cowardly agitators committing usury.
It simply reflecst the general deterioration of morality and loss of compass on the part of the society not knowing good from bad enabling the rise of these greedy, showy, scheming, and evil people in the ranks (or in the clothes) of the monkhood.
In today’s Burma one sees monk’s preaching advertised on “vinyls” everywhere as if they are movie stars. And are treated as ones. Supermarkets sell “Monk drinkable wine”. This and that monk will give sermon in such plush hotels and donate such exorbitant amount of money flying in on military arranged special airplane, etc, etc, talking non-stop about such and such foreign trips, all of which seem so downright divergent from what any religious person should do, leave alone a monk. And now in Rangoon one sees the “Swan-dan’s” blatantly crossing the road stopping the traffic as if putting a mark of power on laity, a detestable trait they went all the way to Sri Lanka to learn.
Sri Lanka where Sinhalese Buddhist monks are always “in” with the ruling Sinhalese government is partly explained by their tumultuous cycles of total annihilation between the themselves and the Hindu Tamils at least from the time of Duttagamani.http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/bud-srilanka.pdf
Thai’s have quite an overlap with the Muslim south with neighboring Muslim nation.
But Burma has none of those troubled times and there has never been bloodshed for religion except for the ones committed by the Burmese on Thaton Mons in the past. Khin Nyunt’s season of religious division did topple invincible KNU and it is now norm to divide and rule every which way one can divide and it appears a simple and easy task as people are themselves full to the brim with nothing else but solid Lawba, Mawha and Dawtha.
This “democratic change” (one must be almost brain dead to truly believe that) is indeed humongous amplifier of Lawba (must have this, that, car, roads, buildings, anything Singapore and Yanks have, etc.) and Mawha ((Burmese are the top, top, top people, betteeeerr than the Thai’s, Loatians, anyone that comes to mind, leading the Asia in this and that, biggest and best,that sort of crap).
Such fools are always easy pray. Such fools enable such monks to grow rapidly and strongly.
Remember the maxim of the opportunists:
“Mazur 1928, “Any community that lives on staples has relatively few wants. The community that can be trained to desire . . . to want new things even before the old have been entirely consumed yields a market to be measured more by desires than by needs. And man’s desires can be developed so that they will greatly overshadow his needs.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Century_of_the_Self
With those attitude, Burmese (all tribes) in and out of Burma are easy preys.
Suthep’s romantic tale
Sounds like a comment copy-and-pasted from ThaiVisa:
– Westerners can’t understand Thailand, it’s soooo different
– Please no criticism of Thais/Thailand (unless it’s against the Shinawatras or their allies)
– historically totally incorrect (Chamlong vs. Suchinda was 1992, almost 22 years ago, and while he stepped down from politics 1993 he returned to active politics and regained control of the party (PDP) leadership, tried to become Bangkok governor in 1996 and was later (after 2005) a crucial factor in the success (if you want to call the coup to oust Thaksin a success for the opposition) of the PAD)
– and finally the typical ThaiVisa sentence: “If you don’t like it here, then go home!”
Funny that Mark (really? Mark?) can call an incumbent government “garbage”, but thinks it’s not allowed to criticize the increasingly violent opposition and its stubborn leader.
Looks good on paper: Education reform in Burma
Tocharian,
You are 100 % correct in your comments.
I commend you, as those who would rather
trade with China, have no soul to speak
the truth about China. Kudos to you.
Review of Buddhist Fury
Much needed and welcome comment.
But predictably contradictory of confused proposals and assertions as the subject itself is.
Buddha was supposed to be clear about not worshiping (sucking up to) him or idolatry- a fact weirdly similar to the Salafists’ view on Mohammedanism as opposed to the Sufi’s practice. And Buddhism is simply a philosophy. Living beings are simply a culmination of ignorance. Awiza pyit-sa-ya thin-kha-ra. Aim is to understand that. Four (Noble) Truths.
No where in the Buddhist instructions one will ever find any little reference to kill the Kalars or screw the Thai/ Laos/ Bamas’ etc or that stupidest suggestion- “spread of the faith”.
On that score, the suggestion that (unfortunate use of word) “fundamental” Buddhist would retreat to self reflective solitude is spot on. Buddhism is nothing what-so-ever to do with spread of religion/ (populism/ showy donation, etc so popular in today’s Burma), leave alone hatred.
But this book and review was about the social use and abuse of something called Buddhism- something that can simply be packaged and flogged it to unwary punters along with Coke and chips- among the so-called Buddhist countries of Teravada brand.
It would be naive and self delusional to suggest the practitioners in these countries are lily white stickers of Buddhist teaching as it would be contradictory as true Buddhist adherent could hardly be heard from or seen. In all countries, each version is touted as true Buddhism (how absurd!) and there is plenty nationalism to go with that and racism for sure.
The “wishful” suggestion that all the bad things done recently and still going on in Burma are by the military as bogus monks is simply Ostrich.
Since 1996 or so, funded by CIA (and its different subsidiaries like NED, International Center for Non-conflict of Ackerman, etc.,etc.) Gene Sharp who wrote a book (printed in millions, translated widely and used to foment instability world wide as currently seen in Ukraine) to advise the so-called dissidents in “peaceful” resistance and countless workshops in Rangoon and the Thai borders has recruited critical mass of bored, restless, highly self-conceited and highly influential and connected young men in robes with false ideals. That was the very root of 2007 “Saffron Revolution” as one of the feathers in the cap of Sharp along with his other color revolution collections around the world.
But that ready made united, well organised using modern technology of text and iPAD army of highly motivated, restless young (some old) men is easily and simply snatched by Than Shwe and Aung Thaung to attack on the long despised Kalars on religious and racial ground showing the ugly and despicable face of the country Burma which one must have honesty and courage to accept as true face.
Only then one would realize these monks- duly ordained and are practicing in traditional way are on the wrong path and it is nothing what-so-ever with Buddhism which is now simply usurped for their ig-noble purpose and they are themselves by their own conceit and stupidity being stooges and ready highly destructive instruments to their evil masters abroad and at home.
One always has to face the truth. It has that nasty habit to catch up with one.
Suthep’s romantic tale
… Moderated
Anyone who thinks that Suthep is going to become a Dictator, does not understand Thai Politics …
The People are only using him in their usual 10 Yearly “Taking the Garbage out” tactics. (The Shinawatra, Northern Thai Family this time) … And when he has done this, he then very well might turn around and find that the door has been Closed behind him !!! … Like Avasit is not going to go down I think, … But Shuthep very well might !!! …
Look what happened about 10 years ago now is it ? When Chamlong eventually got rid of the Suchinder family, a Real, Military dictatorship at that time !!! ??? …
So, How long did Chamlong stick around for ? A : Not Long, as he knew what would happen, they would vote him out in favor of a more Business friendly Man …. So he just left and went to Live in a Monastery didn’t he ?
… Political Leaders come and go around here … Shuthep has come … and he will Go, I think, like the people will vote him out eventually, if he doesn’t ? …
And well also, we Folang, really should keep out of it !!! … The Thais ability to Live life like a fairy tale is an old and well known Phenomenon !!! … Maybe it is one reason why so many of us flock here to Live in a society, so different from our Own ! ?
… So let’s just let the Thais get on with it Fellows ! ? And take their own Garbage out !!! … And if you do not like it, well, we all know what you can do, Like, return to your own countries.
… Though most of you can’t, can you … as you are all already in the Fairy Tale !!! Right ?
Very Nice Writing Merisa, Thanks !!!
Mark
Review of Buddhist Fury
Suriyon Raiwa rightly points out the double-edged nature of monks’ participation in anti-colonial movement and their role in recent developments in Myanmar.
As a rule, Buddhist monks are not supposed to have any role in the mundane affairs of the laity and that is what Buddha strictly prescribed. Their job is to take care of the laity’s Hereafter. Away from places where few hundred politically-active monks reside, there are hundreds of thousands of other monks doing what they are supposed to do: preaching, practising meditation and guiding the laypeople along the right path of life – and staying away from dirty politics.
That said, things could not have been so different from the idealistic scenario where Buddhists are emanating loving kindness towards all beings in the universe.
In nations where most Theravada Buddhists reside, we have seen increasingly cases where monks in saffron robes are involved in political affairs, taking part in demonstrations for or against authorities on a variety of issues. Some of the state-sponsored monks would engage in fiery rhetoric which could have landed them in hot water had they been railing against the authorities themselves. But it is difficult to connect the dots. The new quasi-civilian government keeps religious mavericks at a distance and takes no action against them. The shades and nuances of the political setting here is apparently black and white for beginners. However, if you take a closer look, things could not have been more complex. You start seeing the connection only when some of the rhetoric spouted by authorities begins to trickle out of the mouths of some religious mavericks in saffron robes. And these monks speak against the opposition citing nationalist agenda.
Involvement of religious personnel in state and political affairs was regarded favourably by Myanmar people in the colonial times when people thought twice before getting involved themselves. This reluctance is understandable in the light of heavy-handed tactics used by the British in crushing boycotts and demonstrations.
Monks were better placed to get involved in politics due to their privileged, iconic status in Buddhist nations. And get involved they did and some have even been honoured with streets and roundabouts named after them.
With the new developments here, these maverick monks are not fighting against colonial powers. They have become embroiled in the vicious infighting among Myanmar against Myanmar for no reason other than unscrupulous former dictators keeping avenues open for their continued existence, that of their cronies and most important, immunity from any prosecution for their past mismanagement and atrocities.
An average Buddhist citizen does not want to see any monk becoming political instrument of any party. Now, things are so far gone that silly rhetoric by these gullible saffron-robed people, a minority if compared with a well-meaning majority, is taken seriously. These misguided people do not represent Buddhists. The real face of Buddhism is the other side.
I just hope that the voice of reason would prevail against all odds.
Looks good on paper: Education reform in Burma
What’s your point? Do you know how to “alleviate the misery of a populace”? Which populace? XYZ?
If you want to rely on the selfish Chinese to alleviate the misery of their (the tayoke) populace, go ahead. If that’s what the “half-Chinese populace” of Burma wants then so be it, but then why should Burmese dissidents (including Suu Kyi) get support or even accolades in the West? (not to mention thousands of the Burmese “populace” getting political asylum in places like Fort Wayne Indiana or Norway or England or Canada, why not Kunming China?)
Maybe Australians are also pro-Chinese (I don’t really know, the way they censored my comments on a recent NM article by Trevor Wilson), then so be it, but I do know a lot of people, not just Americans and Russians, who are keeping a wary eye on the dangerous and ambitious Chinese goal of global hegemony. The Chinese are patient. Just wait a couple of decades and you won’t see too much of these Burmese textbooks anymore. The children will be taught Mandarin, just like in Tibet.
Suthep’s romantic tale
Dear Merisa,
thanks for this wonderful lakornic piece. Lakorn has indeed an impact on audience perspective and way of logical flows in thinking. I guess there is no better large scale example than bollywood in India, where the style of sickeningly good sweet heroines/ heroic heros and totally irredeemable evil vallians is a close reflection of our own lakorn.
Part of the reason for the immersive popularity of such an industry is to cater to the escapism of the masses, no matter rich or poor, educated or not.
I really dislike the dividing line between educated versus uneducated. Having survive university, I know that intelligence and critical thinking is not prerequisite to graduating with honors. And I have met many a wise person who had little formal education, but is wise from experience. But I believe excessive watching of lakorn has equal if different influence on both groups.
More true is the ability of formally educated people to apply their logic with a twist to justify an otherwise morally or ethically wrong position, and feel righteous about their immoralty, because they had justified it somehow to themselves. That is very consistently applied in Thai lakorn, where the good guys can do no wrong and if they do its always because of something or someone else.
My mastery of English is not good, as evidenced by many comments on my poor writing, but I would dare say, if you add any more sarcasm to this essay, it would only cheapen a good classy piece of work.
Democratisation by elections and protracted transition
Erdogan “faction” ? You mean those among PAS or UMNO, who are Islamic bigots, racists, and anti-Semites ? Oh, you mean Mahathir. Instead of quoting academic theorists, just observe Perkasa et al, and the demonisation of Kassim Ahmad, and you will know where Malaysia is heading. There is no transition to democracy in Malaysia; there is a transition to Islamic autocracy, and that is where Erdogan become relevant.
The weakness of the Thai royalists
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayuth-urges-CMPO-to-act-against-red-shirt-leader-30228516.html