Top Buddhist Authority in Myanmar Begins Moving Against Extremist Buddhist Organizations
By Raymond Lam Buddhistdoor Global | 2016-06-03
One of Myanmar’s top Buddhist monks has vowed to rein in hardline nationalist monks who are members of Ma Ba Tha, the informal name for what is variously called the Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion, the Patriotic Association of Myanmar, the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, or the Organisation for the Protection of Race and Religion. Ashin Wirathu, a prominent and virulently anti-Muslim campaigner, is a core member of Ma Ba Tha, which was founded on 15 January 2014.
U Sandi Marbhivamsa, general secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (SSMNC), made the comments just days after criticizing Buddhists who insult and denigrate other religions. The SSMNC is a government-appointed body of senior monastics that oversees and regulates Buddhist clergy in the country. On 3 June, he told the Myanmar Times that, “Some of Ma Ba Tha’s ideas are aligned partially with those of Mahana [the Sangha] because they are under our guidance. But some Ma Ba Tha members are intense on religion and race and go against the committee’s stance.”
On 30 May, U Sandi, following a trip to Indonesia to attend an interfaith conference, told the Myanmar Times that while the Buddha never attacked other ethnic groups or races, some monks were becoming overtly political with their opinions. “Some monks court political popularity with such views. That kind of provocation is not conducive to peace in the country,” he said. “We in Myanmar can protect Buddhism without insulting other religions. People of different religions can work together in a peaceful way. There is no need for religious extremism. We can learn from Indonesia in that respect.”
He continued: “Buddhism is fundamentally about loving kindness, though other religious [sic] also teach compassion. If we can accept each other’s ideas, there can be peace both in Myanmar and throughout the world.”
... http://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/top-bu ... anizations
mikenz66 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 03, 2016 9:33 pmTop Buddhist Authority in Myanmar Begins Moving Against Extremist Buddhist Organizations
By Raymond Lam Buddhistdoor Global | 2016-06-03
One of Myanmar’s top Buddhist monks has vowed to rein in hardline nationalist monks who are members of Ma Ba Tha, the informal name for what is variously called the Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion, the Patriotic Association of Myanmar, the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, or the Organisation for the Protection of Race and Religion. Ashin Wirathu, a prominent and virulently anti-Muslim campaigner, is a core member of Ma Ba Tha, which was founded on 15 January 2014.
U Sandi Marbhivamsa, general secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (SSMNC), made the comments just days after criticizing Buddhists who insult and denigrate other religions. The SSMNC is a government-appointed body of senior monastics that oversees and regulates Buddhist clergy in the country. On 3 June, he told the Myanmar Times that, “Some of Ma Ba Tha’s ideas are aligned partially with those of Mahana [the Sangha] because they are under our guidance. But some Ma Ba Tha members are intense on religion and race and go against the committee’s stance.”
On 30 May, U Sandi, following a trip to Indonesia to attend an interfaith conference, told the Myanmar Times that while the Buddha never attacked other ethnic groups or races, some monks were becoming overtly political with their opinions. “Some monks court political popularity with such views. That kind of provocation is not conducive to peace in the country,” he said. “We in Myanmar can protect Buddhism without insulting other religions. People of different religions can work together in a peaceful way. There is no need for religious extremism. We can learn from Indonesia in that respect.”
He continued: “Buddhism is fundamentally about loving kindness, though other religious [sic] also teach compassion. If we can accept each other’s ideas, there can be peace both in Myanmar and throughout the world.”
... http://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/top-bu ... anizations
:anjali:
Mike
Perhaps these monks know too well what happened to buddhists in India? What is happening now to buddhists in Bangladesh, s thailand, and myanmar...and many more countries? So who is the extremist?
