Burma: Junta's Online Warning To Buddhist Monks

Burma: Junta's Online Warning To Buddhist Monks

Press Release: Terry Evans

14 October 2009

A military government website, “Kyaymon” [meaning “the mirror”], which operates as an online daily newspaper in Burmese has criticised two well-known Buddhist monks’ organisations and warned that the Burmese military authorities will take action against them.

The website claimed that the International Burmese Monks’ Organization and the Sangha League are launching another monks’ boycott in Burma similar to the 2007 Saffron Revolution when Buddhist monks were instrumental in leading anti-government protests.

The website went on to say that the Burmese military government would not tolerate this type of movement and would take “severe action” against those involved. It urged the public “not to become the monks’ victims.”

In Burma there are more than 400,000 monks. Its community, the sangha, is considered one of the strongest and most revered institutions in the country. It has always played an important role in Burma’s social and political affairs, often in opposition to oppressive regimes.

The International Burmese Monks’ Organisation have not heeded the warning and have now dismissed the junta's leader Senior General Than Shwe and his family members from the Buddha Sasana (Buddhist Religion).

ENDS

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