Monks on the Frontline - Burma

November 2007
Not for the first time, Buddhist monks are driving the protests in Burma. But how can a philosophy based on reconciliation become involved in a violent uprising to overthrow an oppressive regime?
"The best way to remove this evil government is to use force", states Rambo monk. "The generals are not the sort of people you can stop by sending compassion". He's already been jailed once for his political activities. Now, he lives on the Thai border and continues to co-ordinate an underground campaign against the regime. During the struggle against British colonialists, some monks equated the struggle for political independence with the struggle for nirvana. Once again, some monks are making that connection. But not all Buddhists agree. "I'm not interested in these protests because it's none of our business", states Abbot U Arthipha. "Monks should keep away from politics".

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Journeyman
• Pictures
• Burma
• Monks
• Thailand
• Buddhists
• evil
• generals
• Buddha
• Rambo
• philosophy
• reconcilliation
• violence
• regim
• news
• documentary
• current affairs
• journeyman
• journeyman pictures

[rjstoneus]

[3:23] - I fail to see how advocating that the monks stay out of politics is "towing the government line" or having a pro-government stance as the narrator states. The narrator fails to substantiate this claim. I don't think the narrator understands this position. If Ven. U Arthipha is pro-government then it is unsubstantiated by this interview as he doesn't say a single thing in support of the government.

[HalfLuck4]

I have watched monks act in self-defense before but did not hurt, inflict or kill anyone. Just protecting themselves from harm. They're doing the right thing. Show me a clip where monks actually killed someone? It's wrong to kill. - I support monks and nuns.

[mattr3366]

violience begets violence , scompassion attracts comapssion

[lovelovelove833]

ไอ้รบ."เหี้ย"ไอ้นายก"อภส."หัวค­วย"เขาว่า"มึง กิน โกง ขายชาติ"ไอ้สัตว์ประหลาด"ก็"ไม่­รู้จักคิด"จิตมึง"ต่ำทราม"ยิ่งก­ว่าสัตว์ดฉ."ไอ้เหี้ยรบ.ใดๆ"เขา­"ลาออกไป"แล้ว"ไอ้ตัวจัญไร"ไอ้เ­เต๋ว"อย่างมึง"แสนหน้าด้าน หน้าทน"มึงไม่อาย"หมา"บ้างหรือว­ะ"ไอ้อับจน "ปัญญา"ไอ้มึง มันเหี้ย แม้"หมา"มันก็"ไม่ทำ"เขา"เดินขบ­วน"ไล่มึง"นั่น"ปุ่มยางอาย"มึง"­มีหรือไม่? จงรีบ"ออกไป"ไอ้ควาย"หนีไปอยู่ท­ี่ไหน ก็ได้"ขืนอยู่ แม่ง"จะต้องตาย"SNIPER"หมายหัวม­ึง"แม่งฆ่าคนได้ 91 ศพ"กลางกรุง"ใคร"จูง"จมูกมึง วะ?"ไอ้สัตว์ ไม่รู้จัก"แยกดี จากชั่ว"ควย

[kausidya]

I agree with the old monk. It is not a monks place to involve themselves in politics. They have more important things to do.

[badsign1980]

its the most coward thing attacking with violence ppl who preach non violence ppl who will not strike back... non violence is the way, theres alot to learn with these ppl, but non action can become a way to destruction, budha would not believe that being alive should be ignoring or absent from world affairs

[statuecollector86]

May your igorance and stupidness not stop you in the future of your happiness

[pilipinasmabuhay100]

Wait...why does the video description say the uprising in 2007 was violent...it wasn't.

The protests were peaceful, and was led by monks who chanted messages of loving-kindness...it was the junta's forces who were violent...not the monks...and it doesn't mean that if one buddhist monk says that the only way to topple the regime is by violence that every single monk believes that.

[HalfLuck4]

Let me put some sense here!

Burma is a communist country its governments; leaders, and generals are CORRUPTED. The Burmese Monks are peaceful. They act in self-defense. Nothing wrong with that. May Lord Buddha, watch over, protect, and bless the monks. I support Buddhism.

[gdgddhdh]

Fuck Burma OK Fuck Burmese