This is another footage on Monks leading against the Myanmar Government for reform and democracy. It is actually a form of engaged buddhism.
Engaged Buddhism is a term originally coined by Vietnamese Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. During the Vietnam War, he and his sangha (spiritual community) made efforts to respond to the suffering they saw around them. They saw this work as part of their meditation and mindfulness practice, not apart from it. Since then, the term continues to apply to Buddhists who are seeking ways to apply the insights from meditation practice and dharma teachings to situations of social, political, and economic suffering and injustice.
Organizations such as the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and the International Network of Engaged Buddhists are devoted to building the movement of engaged Buddhists. Other engaged Buddhist groups include the Zen Peacemakers Sangha, led by Roshi Bernard Glassman, the Benevolent Organisation for Development, Health and Insight, Gaden Relief Projects, Amida Trust and Tzu Chi. Prominent figures in the movement include Robert Aitken Roshi, Joanna Macy, Gary Snyder, Alan Senauke, Sulak Sivaraksa Maha Ghosananda, Sylvia Wetzel, Diana Winston, Fleet Maull, Joan Halifax and Ken Jones.
Books you can buy:
Burma: The State of Myanmar
Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia
The Engaged Spiritual Life: A Buddhist Approach to Transforming Ourselves and the World
Not Turning Away: The Practice of Engaged Buddhism
Monday, October 01, 2007
Monks lead largest Myanmar Protests III
Monks lead largest Myanmar Protests
The last movement that happened in Myanmar when the public outcry a demonstration for democracy to the government happened in 8th August 1988. Many remembered this event as the four 8 movement.
It was viewed a tragedy. About 3000 people were killed by the government when military used brutal forces to curb the situation. Most of the people died in the event were university students. Militants also surrounded Buddhist Temples in order to captures monks who were politically active in the event.
Exactly after 19 years, Myanmar again hold a demonstration, hoping to achieve democracy. Many viewed this event as futile and only hope there will be no genocide happening. This is the largest demonstration that happened in Myanmar with 100,000 people in protest.
Buddhist monks marching in protest against the military government in Yangon, Myanmar.
source:(AP Photo)
Books you can buy:
Burma: The State of Myanmar
Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia
The Engaged Spiritual Life: A Buddhist Approach to Transforming Ourselves and the World
Not Turning Away: The Practice of Engaged Buddhism
