Dealing With Impermanence And Ruthless Junta

Myanmar, formerly Burma, a Buddhist nation, is in tears because the military has taken over the administration of the country once again. Like most other countries Sri Lanka too has shown concerns regarding the takeover and the disapproval has been shown not by the government, but by a section of the Buddhist clergy.

- Ravi Nagahawatte

The Sri Lanka Ramanya Maha Nikaya and Amarapura Maha Sanga Sabhawa have sent out statements calling for an end to the Junta’s role and the country and for the return to democracy. Such a response is apt from Buddhist Sri Lanka because there is a school of thought that Theravada Buddhism came to this island from Burma; hence there is a responsibility or urge to respond to the military-style takeover of the country.

Myanmar’s leader of the people for decades, Aung San Suu Kyi has been put under house arrest, once again. But what must be given serious consideration is the fact that her peaceful campaigns and non-violent approach to politics have brought her endless trouble.

Myanmar is a majority Buddhist country with 90% of the population following Gautama Buddha’s teachings. However, like in Sri Lanka, the saffron-robed clergy in Myanmar share similarities; they are often part of civilian struggles when those in power attempt to ‘walkover’ the common people. What’s happening in Myanmar is important to Sri Lanka in many ways. Here in this island nation, we have an ex-military man as President who keeps appointing individuals with a military background to state institutes. It’s good if the opposition forces in parliament raise their voice against the ‘junta’ taking over power in Myanmar because that’ll remind everyone here in Sri Lanka that those walking the corridors of power can become ruthless when backbenchers in parliament are passive or inefficient.