The people of Burma have no alternative

…

_ by Sayadaw U Pannavamsa (International Burmese Monks Organisation)

Although the international community has only come to witness the leading role of Burmese monks in peaceful demonstrations in September 2007, the monks have very long been respected by both urban and rural Burmese people for their various valuable roles even before the colonial era.

Historically, the monks have been the spiritual guides, moral authorities, educators and care givers of the people. The vital duties of the monks in Burma have been: (1) to learn and uphold the teachings of the Buddha - Tipitaka and the practice of insight meditation (vipassana bhavana); and (2) to make these teachings accessible to a wider audience.

They have also played very influential roles in political and social changes in Burma. They took part at the forefronts in the struggles for independence under the British rule and Japanese occupation, and democracy, human rights and peace under the successive dictatorial Burmese regimes.

In September 2007, Buddhist monks led a nation-wide peaceful movement, which is also known as “Saffron Revolution”. As a result, some monks were shot dead and many hundreds of monks were arrested, defrocked, imprisoned, and killed in custody.

Moreover, the military regime’s brutal crackdown has prompted dramatic escape of many monks to the border areas adjacent to Thailand and Bangladesh. Since they are treated as illegal immigrants by local authorities, they are now facing hardships, in particular lack of food, clothing, shelter and security. They are now seeking urgent assistance.

In fact, the Burmese generals are not devout Buddhists. They trust in astrology and numerology than in Buddhist ritual. They are constantly seeking advice from astrologers. They committed gross human rights abuses, including religious persecution. Today, the decline of Buddhism and the rise of militarism in Burma are a source of concern for the people of Burma.

We have, over the years, seen more than 30 resolutions by United Nations General Assembly and UN Human Rights Commission and several dozens by EU calling on the Burmese generals to stop all human rights abuses against its own people and to engage in political talks to bring about a democratic change in Burma, but without success.

The regime has also ignored the call of the UN Security Council for inclusive national reconciliation process. A close look will reveal that the failure was due to the inability of the international key players to coordinate and speak with one voice.

Previous and current activities of the military regime have clearly indicated that the regime has not real commitment to improve human rights, to respect religions and to begin a meaningful dialogue with democratic and ethnic forces for national reconciliation and peace in Burma.

Therefore, the people of Burma have no alternative but to continue their struggle for freedom and peace by all means. We the people of all faith and the international community also need to step up our efforts to increase pressure on the generals until democracy and peace are restored in Burma.

_ Excerpts from his speech to Australian Federal Parliament on 12.03.2008