Burma: Buddhism and the rise of Burmese militant nationalism

Tuesday, 02 July 2013 13:08 -

Posted by Jamie Pinnock on Monday, 1st July, 2013

Compassion, humility, and tranquillity: these are the images that we have typically come
to associate with Buddhism in the West. It is a religion that preaches non-violence, and
many in the Europe and America have adopted its philosophies as a result.

It may then come as a surprise that militant Buddhist groups in Burma (Myanmar) are actively
persecuting the minority Muslim population. In stark contrast to the Saffron Revolution of 2007
when Buddhist monks marched peaceably with their alms bowls, Buddhist mobs, led by the
radical monk Ashin Wirathu, have so far killed more than 200 Muslims and forced more than
150,000 from their homes. But many are asking how the 45-year old monk, dubbed the
Buddhist Bin Laden, has been able to galvanise such high levels of religious intolerance from
the Buddhist community?

Sitting cross-legged in his orange robes, with a shaved head as is required when part of the
Buddhist monastic community, Wirathus appearance in no way suggests that this man could be
the leader of the nationalist Buddhist movement known as the 969, who are responsible for
what is happening in Burma at this time. The image is one of serenity and calm. He speaks in a
slow and intent manner, picking his words carefully and meticulously in explaining his unique
breed of Buddhist radicalism.

It is the weakness of nationalism, he says, which has forced him to preach publicly. Over the
next fifteen minutes, Wirathu speaks of how Muslims are buying up more and more property, of
how they have a monopoly over the construction industry and set their own prices, before
speaking in detail of their human rights abuses and how they are attempting to gain positions of
power in government.

Our enemy would become powerful, the monk continues, And more the dangerous for us.
They would one day take our resources from us. He urges Buddhists to eat only at 969
restaurants, shop only at 969 shops and use only 969 taxis. He finishes by explaining how if the
countrys Buddhist population acts in this nationalistic sense, then the golden Burmese will win
this fight.

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Burma: Buddhism and the rise of Burmese militant nationalism
Tuesday, 02 July 2013 13:08 -
In a speech at the University of Maryland in May, the Dalai Lama spoke out against the actions
of Wirathu and the 969, emphasising that a true practitioner of the faith would not permit such
violence and bullying of other people. Indeed, he urges his fellow Buddhists if they develop
any type of negative emotion toward the Muslim community to instead turn to the face of the
Buddha for guidance.

What level of influence the Dalai Lama, spiritual figurehead of the Buddhist religion, can
realistically leverage in this conflictdiplomatically, politically or spiritually speakinggiven the
shocking displays of violence that Wirathus radical preaching has aroused in recent months, is
open for debate.

Behind the placid visage and monastic attire, the words of Wirathu have struck a nationalistic
chord above all else, calling for the unity of the Buddhist community against a common enemy.
Wirathus harangues are grounded in socio-economic grievances suffered by the majority
Buddhists, who constitute around 90% of the population in Burma, at the hands of the minority
Rohingya, one million stateless Muslims, many of whom migrated from nearby Bangladesh.

Dr Muang Zarni, a Burmese human rights activist explained in an interview with Vice Magazine
what he perceives to be the roots of the current conflict. He blames the 969 movement for the
current situation, heralding them a neo-Nazi group. In the same interview, Dr Zarni claims that
over the past 50 years since the junta came to power in Burma.

There has been a consistent pattern of the military leadership using proxy organisations within
Burmese communities across the country to incite violence against targeted groups, be they
dissidents, Chinese, or now, Muslims.

Indeed, there are reports that in the city of Meikhtila in March, where Buddhist mobs killed at
least 43 peoplemost of the victims Muslimand displaced a further 12,000, the Burmese
police present simply observed from a distance, reluctant to step in to diffuse the conflagration.
Similar reports from other towns show mosques and even a Muslim orphanage have been set
alight when tensions have erupted, but local authorities are either unable or unwilling to prevent
the violence. Not surprisingly, many of Burmas Muslim population are perturbed by recent
events and fearful to leave the safety of their homes.

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Burma: Buddhism and the rise of Burmese militant nationalism
Tuesday, 02 July 2013 13:08 -
However, it is not only Burma in this region which has been plagued by instances of such
superficially religious unrest. In nearby Sri Lanka, which only recently saw the end of a bloody
26-year conflict between the Sinhalese government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam
(LTTE), there have been reports of Buddhist mobs setting fire to Muslim-owned clothing stores
and warehouses in Colombo, and a separatist group known as the Bodu Bala Sena (the
Buddhist Brigade) who have protested violently against the issue of halal slaughter.

Whilst allegations of the 969 being a neo-Nazi, nationalist movement fail to grasp the full import
of such a statement, the charge holds true as a statement of what, at a very basic level, is
happening in Burma at present. Speaking calmly and candidly, Wirathu presumes in no way to
disguise his nationalist sentiments. Whilst he does not urge violence against the Muslims, he
does not denounce it, and in his words the inference of justified intolerance is clear; the Muslim
community is marked as pariah.

Should the international community be concerned that the 969 has developed into an organised
movement that is much more than sporadic displays of extremist violence? The movement is
reported to have enlisted monasteries across the nation which now spread the radical message
through Sunday schools, and by handing out stickers and distributing pamphlets and DVDs.

Wirathus radical message, contrary to the tolerance which Buddhism teaches, is spreading.
Western nations should watch Burma closely over the coming months, as if history teaches
nothing at all of young nations suffering social and political instability, it is the irreversibility of
the triumph of an idea.
Source link: http://www.theforeignreport.com/2013/07/01/burma-buddhism-and-the-rise-of-bur
mese-militant-nationalism/
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