“The fires of suffering and strife rage around the world,” and continue to rage in the Rakhine state of Burma. Recent sectarian strife between Arakanese Buddhists and the Rohingya Muslim community have claimed the lives of at least 78 people, and displaced over 80,000 fleeing from the violence. With the situation degenerating into a vicious cycle of hate begetting hate, it has come to light that some Buddhist monastics are actively engaged in fanning the flames by calling on lay people to disassociate with the Rohingya and actively blocking humanitarian aid to the refugee camps.
Shame on any monastics who would use their moral authority to suade others in enhancing suffering. While their Arakanese identity may compel them to act in ways that hurt others, they also wear the ochre robe and carry with it the freedoms and responsibilities of their monastic precepts. Their renunciation embodied by the first precept has now been made useless. By their own actions, these monastics demonstrate that they do not deserve to wear the ochre robe.
I realize that the situation is not so black and white. However, the Arakanese and Rohingya alike are sharing in pain. The face of suffering is the same among all people and the cycle of violence rings throughout history. In the late 1960’s, my parents, their families, and many of their Toisan community were driven away by the Burmese and fled into Maoist China. Though the conditions were not great, at least they had a state which would accept them as Han Chinese and would provide a home.
The Rohingya have no state advocates and have shuttled back and forth between Bangladesh and Burma for many decades. Burma’s Presidential Office has stated that “It is impossible for Burma to accept people who are not ethnic to the country and who have entered illegally.” Their situation grows more desperate as the violence continues, as more people are displaced, and as more languish in camps without the infrastructure or supplies to support them. Organizations that have stood up for the Rohingya include the UN and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. Unfortunately, as the violence continues, the Rohingya’s list of advocates now include the Pakistani Taliban, who have said, “We will avenge your blood.”
Aung San Suu Kyi, in your Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, you acknowledged the ongoing strife in your native Burma. We all celebrate your release and your continued work for democracy in your country. This means that you are again a politician for your constituents: speaking on their behalf, and sharing their concerns. Your freedom to speak as you choose is also delicately tied to the whims of a state still emerging and fragile in its transition towards democracy. Nevertheless, the moral authority you possess reaches across national boundaries as we lend you our ears. Please speak out. Your voice as a mediator are needed in this conflict. Lend your compassion with the humanitarian aid organizations and help to relieve the suffering in Burma.
Then write a protest to Nobel Committtee withdrawing the prize for not being consistent with the award she got.
Learn about how my friend’s one day with a Buddhist monk changed his life, helped him become a CEO and redefined his idea of success:
http://www.nextgreatestspeaker.com/profile.cfm?aid=72
Many (most? all?) of the photos being circulated regarding Buddhist persecution of Muslims in Burma are fakes. See http://jihadonbuddhists.org/?p=69 and http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/12867/social-media-is-lying-to-you-about-burmas-muslim-cleansing/#.UAnyHOtBl0c.facebook .
The truth is that the jihadists are persecuting Buddhists, then claiming victim status for themselves: http://seanrobsville.blogspot.com/2012/06/muslims-massacre-buddhists-in-burma.html
[…] at the DharmaFolk blog, the author recites the troubles in Burma between the Arakanese Buddhists and the Rohingya […]
I think we all know the fight between the two community. Its just something that will continue until, they will simply make a pact or forget the shadow of the past. It’s not something that will help the both comunities..
If Muslims dominate the world, there will be no Buddhism. Either submit to Allah or face the sword.