By Peter Popham –
Six years ago, the world cheered the monks behind Burma’s Saffron Revolution. Now, a horrific new eruption of religious slaughter is being blamed on a ‘Buddhist Bin Laden’. So what happened to the mantra of non-violence?
He writes; Professor Jordt explains that the psychological background is that Theravada Buddhism – found in Burma and Sri Lanka, and regarded by its followers as “the pure teachings” of Buddha, as opposed to the supposedly impure developments in the Mahayana branches found in Japan, Korea, Tibet and Vietnam – is thought to be in peril. The Buddha supposedly predicted that his teachings, the Dharma, would remain in human memory for 5,000 years. Burmese Buddhists, says Jordt, “feel their religion is in decline in cosmological terms, and historically under threat. They are preoccupied with the fact that it is already past the 2,500-year midway mark.”
Read more in the Independent
Ramzeen Azeez / May 28, 2013
I simply cannot understand their logic; and Buddhism is based on logic and truth. How can they collectively agree that violence justifies their ends in protecting Buddhism? Their actions will only further disgust their flock and this will further deteriorate their lot.
/
PEACELOVER.. / May 29, 2013
KAAVI ROUDY OF MYANMAR HATE SPEECH ….SEE THE VIDEO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7irUgGsFYw
/
HardNut / May 29, 2013
Baby Faced Monster. One can see these types face in psycho movies.
He looks like an original Moron but poisoning people’s minds.
Idiot was blatantly lying & misleading like our LEELA/LESTER here in this forum.
Gay Gnanasara follows the same method to poison our people’s minds while eating meat drinking arakku. Courtesy – Champika/Gota, two acutely sick maniacs.
/
the announcer / May 30, 2013
he isn’t preaching buddhism there. it’s nationalism like that of the fuhrer and il duce. i’m not sure if the english subtitles are accurate, but if it’s correct, it’s disgusting.
/
DODU / May 28, 2013
Who said Buddhism preaches non-violence? This is a manupilated theory by some Buddhists to get undue advantage! They are cheating the world! Buddhism preaches violence in its Holy Texts. They are hiding it. Take Nirvana Sutra and read there are ample Sutras which advocate violence. Buddhists are practicing violence from Ashoka to date. Burma is just one country. All the Buddhist countries are same. Japan ( 2nd World War), Laos, north and south Vietnam (Vietnam War), North and south Korea ( Korean War) , Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burma (killing of minorities) . With all these, If someone is telling Buddhism teaches non violence, then he is illeterate.
/
lankexpat / May 28, 2013
well said, its amazing new facts,that most people does’nt know
/
Wickramasiri / May 30, 2013
Please verify facts. Buddhism does not teach violence anywhere. Non violence is the essence of Buddhism and this is why true Buddhists are appalled at the lying on this website. It is better to know the truth than living a lie. Please understand that when a so called Buddhist person speaks or acts violently he is doing so in defiance of Buddhist teaching. Do not blame the teaching.
/
the announcer / May 30, 2013
this man is right. what he says is truth. but unfortunately he belongs to a powerless part of a minority.
/
I am no Muslim / May 28, 2013
It is Islam meaning Muhammad and his Quran that teach non-violence. How’s that? heeeeeeeee
/
DODU / May 30, 2013
You are not Mulim? Buddhism mean violence(Nirvana Sutra) and killing, burn ib alive……. no, no hoooooooooo
/
didarsingh / May 29, 2013
Killing humans or animals = WRONG
Killing Muslim and other terrorists for the sake of humans = RIGHT
but the Problem is..?
Muslims are neither animals nor humans..WHY, B’cos they are Muslims..haha..
/
Rod Atkins / May 29, 2013
Dodu, dont waste time on them, as they are being born after God created a the last animal whom is consuming shit.
/
Mohamed Marzook / May 29, 2013
Dear Moderator,
As I appreciate the contribution of CT on issues relating to politics in Sri Lanka I do not fail to access your postings at least once a day. But now, to my disappoint, I find that some rubbish such this comment are being posted very often. Would you kindly take corrective measures.
/
Bedrock Barney / May 30, 2013
I am not defending what is being said in bad taste, but free speech is free speech. You are free not to read it if you don’t like it. I Have lived in an Islamic country where free speech is denied or anything negative about Islam is construed as blasphemy. Perhaps you should switch to an Islamic website where you won’t be offended. If you don’t like what is being shown on particular channel then use the clicker and change the channel.
/
Bedrock Barney / May 30, 2013
I you stop accessing this website, I promise you we will do our best not to miss you.
/
JimSofty / May 28, 2013
AT least some of the Crusade wars were instigated by POPES in Vartican.
Muslims – Prophet killed so many because, they did not listen to him and he promoted killing of non-muslims.
Now, these monks are human and they are not enlightened people, they feel for their country and they fight back. what is wrong.
/
kp / May 29, 2013
on another article you made an interesting comment- something along the lines of “the truth is different for different people”, which i agree with fully. You claim the monks are fighting back against threats to their faith- how do you know that the popes of the crusades and the several islamic empires didnt do the same? How do you know what truth those people believed in? To them, they were also fighting against threats to their people and their faiths. If you justify this violence by monks, apply the same reasoning to everyone else. Either be objective about all of this or say nothing at all- being subjective achieves nothing.
Of course, you might not read anything i just wrote, seeing as how you’re looking for excitement, not ‘boring explanations’.
/
DODU / May 29, 2013
You know, for Lester, Leela, Jimsofty, Maerican Mamo……:
If a daughter in low ( other religions) ) breacks a pot it is made of Gold and ir is a Gold Pot!
If a mother in law ( Buddhism) breaks a pot it is made of clay and it is a clay pot.
FOR FOREIGNERS WHO READ THE COMMENTS OF THESE IDIOTS:
Please do not think after going through their comments all Sri Lankan Buddhists are illeterate. Our literacy rate is high among Asians! That is what they say! You please judge,
Our rape rate, child abuse rate, Kudu rate (kudu= drugs), murder rate, corruption and Bribery rate and violation of human right rates…. are also (may be) high in Aisa!
/
DODU / May 29, 2013
Softy, Chridtianity came almost 500 years after Buddhism, Islam came almost after 1000 years of Budhism.
Buddha preached violence in Nirvana Sutra.
Ashoka practiced this by killing Brahmins and Jains after he became Buddhist!
Buddhist Kings and Monks are following this till to date in Buddhist countries!
These monks are human, we agree, but they are the killer monks!
If a muslim kill he is a Islamic Terrorist. He is not fighting for his country and it is wrong.
If a Buddhist kill he is a human and he is not enlightened! You will ask what is wrong in it?
Can you tell me in which school did you learn this Philosophy?
/
Wickramasiri / May 30, 2013
Buddha did not preach violence. Buddhism is totally non violent. Totally. If you say Buddhists ( meaning those who are known as Buddhists) commit violence, that is true. The violence against Muslims committed by such Buddhists whether in Sri Lanka or Burma is against Buddhist teaching and must be condemned. Nirvana Sutra ( Mahayana interpretation) has nothing to do with violence. Please desist from denigrating a simple teaching which harms no one.
/
the announcer / May 30, 2013
so it’s not wrong? :P
/
AYMAN / May 28, 2013
The Five Mindfulness Trainings
(according to Thich Nath Hanh, http://www.plumvillage.org)
-First Training-
Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.
CLEARLY EXHIBITED BY BUDDHIST MONKS,ARMED WITH POLES AND GOING
ON THE RAMPAGE KILLING MUSLIMS. THE RELIGION OF NON-VIOLENCE.
IS IT SURPRISING IT IS ON THE DECLINE
TWO DAYS AGO WE SAW ON OUR TV,WHERE THEY ATTACKED THE POLICE.
/
didarsingh / May 29, 2013
Killing humans or animals = WRONG
Killing Muslim and other terrorists for the sake of humans = RIGHT
but the Problem is..?
Muslims are neither animals nor humans..WHY, B’cos they are Muslims..haha..
/
Leela / May 29, 2013
Like many parts of Burma or Myanmar, Rakhine State too has a diverse ethnic population. They mingled together and lived peacefully for a long time except one group – Rohingya Muslims. The term Rakhine is believed to have been derived from the Pali word Rakkhapura meaning “Land of Ogres” Rakshas. So, Rakhine State and it natives Rakhine Buddhists has a long history like Sinhalas and Sri Lanka although its population is just over three million.
Latest statistics on population composition indicates that Rohingya Muslims constitute more than 96% of the population near the border with Bangladesh and the coastal areas of Rakhine state. This is in spite of a past military government rule limiting Rohingya Muslims to two children per family for some time. Rohingya Muslims have increased their population to about 40% of the entire Rakhine state. That made them the second largest ethnic group after the Rakhine people. This large and visible increase of Muslim population in a short period of time caused anxiety to Rakhines. And apparently excessive breeding by Rohingya Muslims is the root cause for all the problems. Sri Lanka and many countries in Europe would face the same problem soon if not checked.
If asked any Rohingya about their ancestry however, he will say; “We have been here for a long time. My father, my grandfather, they were all born here.” But Buddhist Rakhine Nationalists would not accept it. They say, Rohingya Muslims doen’t belong there. They claim, Rohingya had migrated from neighbouring Bangladesh after British colonialists and since are breeding so fast that local Buddhists believe they are at risk of being “swallowed up by Muslim outsiders.” For that reason they say, Rohingya must be forced out of the state.
For the long term good of their countries, politicians must face this problem head-on. General Aun San should have known it and asked the British to take Rohingya with them when they left. His daughter, is no better; Suu Kei, an obvious opportunist waiting to serve her white masters knows better than the Russians and Americans that politics is no match for religion. So she keep Rohingya at arms length. Or is it that she accepts that Muslim Cuckoos has been taking over the nest forever playing the victim and attacking others to suit situation.
Leela
/
Rod Atkins / May 29, 2013
Leela, we like your comments, you contributed a lot in this CT. these are being read by international media and CIA, and noted that Sri Lanka should be divided like Serbia, and then lets get to gather have a BOTTLE…. this is famous for Sinhala society. a ARRAK.
/
DODU / May 29, 2013
Leele, no point in crying. Ask your monks to marry. Let them marry as much as possible! Then they can produce more. More production mean more children, more children mean more population! Ask them to go into action. Keep Buddhism aside, let them contribute in increasing the Buddhist population. You can also Mary as much as you can. Change the law. Enjoy the life. Then attain enlightenment!
/
Rod Atkins / May 29, 2013
The Main Problem of the Theravada Budhism is NOT MARRYING.. this is where the problem starts when man is not married and have NO intercourse. I belive that Sri Lanka and Burma is same and better they get to Thailand have enough sex for their life at least 1 time a month. this will erase all violence. Lord Buddah himself married and ran away from home to Jungle.. he also dosnt know why he did it as he the Lord Buddah is a descendant of Satan as per the Bible as he says NO GOD, and he dispelled from Heaven with 33 million Gods, actually those are not gods, its a followers of Satan. This is the sign of Satans.I see a real danger to teh world is Budhism as Hitler was following Budhism and he was Vegitarian, and see how many people he killed. some of them asked me if Lord Buddah is a Women ? as he ask all men to walk and talk like a women, but someone answered stating as he is a GAY like Sai Baba.
/
Leela / May 29, 2013
I never knew “Hitler was following Buddhism” as you say but I’ve always thought that Adolf Hitler must have been influenced by Islam and inspired by the same spirit that possessed Allah’s prophet. Otherwise how come Muhammad and Hitler both hate Jews so much and had been equally cruel to those who did not trust their mission.
Leela
/
Peace Lover / May 29, 2013
Leela ( K A SUmanasekera) as far as I know Hitler was inspired by Aryan origins and Aryan symbols like the swastika,correct me if im wrong here
/
DODU / May 29, 2013
Can’t be Leela O Leela, Hitler was an individual like Pol Pot.
Pol Pot is a Buddhist. Ashoka also Buddhist!
Both Pol Pot and Ahoka were killers and both are Buddhist.
Therefore, Hitler is also Buddhist.
/
Ravana / May 29, 2013
Dodu, Talduwe Somarama, shot and killed SWRD Bandaranaike, was a BUDDHIST. He later openly converted to Christianity, weeks prior to being hanged in the Welikada gallows. Then Mapitigama Buddharakkitha, was the chief conspirator of the assassination of Banda also a BUDDHIST. Can LEELA change the history? Perhaps LEELA should seel Jackas Anthony to find a historic way to change these facts.
/
Ravana / May 29, 2013
seek’ I meant, sorry.
/
roy / May 30, 2013
These monks are frustrated and depressed.Its high time someone took them to Bangkok on a good ride, then achieve Nirvana.
/
roy / May 30, 2013
Buddha Buzz: Sex Tape and the Sangha
http://www.tricycle.com/blog/buddha-buzz-sex-tape-and-sangha
/
M.Sivananthan / May 30, 2013
When Emporer Ashoka was a Hindu, he had an empire. After his conversion to Buddhism, his empire vanished because of the AHIMSA practiced by them.
So, the monks now not to make the same mistake of Ashoka to lose their country to Muslims who have no respect for other religions!
/
the announcer / May 30, 2013
wow really? and that’s how ashoka made india buddhist? treating jains like his brethren?
/