The Buddhist monks in Burma have been on the streets for several days now, falling upon the last resort under their disciplinary code (Vinaya Pitaka), in calling upon the military regime of the country to step down and to respect the people.
The people of Burma are facing extremely difficult times. The cost of basic commodities has gone up with an increase of 500 percent in fuel prices alone; while malnutrition in the country affects 40 percent of the population. Burma, together with Somalia, has also been named as the worlds two most corrupt countries in the latest report by Transparency International.
The monks demonstrations were supported by the local people on a very large scale in all parts of the country. In some meetings there were over 100,000 people. In the areas where the minorities live, there were also very large gatherings of people who stood beside the monks and participated in the protests.
The photographs appearing through various channels show that the monks who had come out in such large numbers to stand up for the rights of the people being surrounded by the people who threw a protective shield around them, Throughout history the appearance of yellow robed monks on large scale has been perceived as an ultimate gesture by them when they feel compelled to take to the streets to push for changes which have become necessary for the survival of the people.
The military regime which does not have any economic or political programme to respond to this mass upsurge has threatened retaliatory action and in some instances, have already attacked the monks and the people with tear gas and baton charges. The exact number of casualties is yet to be known. However, it is quite clear that the military regime is unwilling to consider any form of reconciliatory measures that will go, in some way, to alleviate the suffering of the masses. The alienation of the corrupt regime from the people is so complete that it is not in a position to respond, even to such a vast protest by the countrys powerful Buddhist clergy. What this would mean is a protracted struggle and judging by the experience of 1988, it would not be surprising if heavy violence is used by the military to cause a massacre of the monks and the people.
It would be quite interesting to see how the Sri Lanka Buddhist monks, who are a powerful element in the Sri Lankan political scene, might come forward to support the struggle of their counterparts in Burma as well as to prevent their possible massacre. The Sri Lankan Buddhist clergy claim it to be their duty to protect Buddhism in which, one of the triple gems is the monks. Will the Sri Lankan monks let the military regime cause a massacre of the Burmese monks?
The Burmese monks are standing against the massive suppression of peoples rights and the corruption of a military regime. It would be the duty of everyone who cares for human dignity and the right to life, to support the struggle of these monks and the people of Burma who are trying to prevent a further degeneration of the economic and political situation. If this struggle is defeated what we might see in Burma would be the magnification of a catastrophe what may produce large scale starvation. If an act of solidarity is to be shown to the people of Burma the time is now. It is to be seen whether the Sri Lankan Buddhist clergy will extend such solidarity to their counterparts in Burma in their hour of need.
