burma's saffron revolution

just before making my way to jumoa namaz last week, i learnt that the buddhist clergy in burma had begun a boycott of the country's military regime. known as "overturning the alms bowl", the boycott can be declared in accordance with an ancient code of discipline when grievous transgressions against the clergy take place, such as putting the lives of monks in danger. this occurred on september 5, when several monks were beaten for protesting the fuel price increases of august.

for the followers of buddhism, the giving and receiving of alms is a profound act of adherence to the teachings of gautama buddha; to refuse the offered alms is to refuse to acknowledge the alms giver as a part of the religious community. in other words, it amounts to an act of excommunication.

in one of the ceremonies held on september 18 to declare the boycott, the monks stated the following:

"Reverend clergy, may you listen to my words. The violent, mean, cruel, ruthless, pitiless kings [military leaders]--the great thieves who live by stealing from the national treasury--have killed a monk at Pakokku, and also arrested reverend clergymen by trussing them up with rope. They beat and tortured, verbally abused and threatened them. The clergy who are replete with the Four Attributes [worthy of offerings, hospitality, gifts and salutation] must boycott the violent, mean, cruel, ruthless, pitiless soldier kings, the great thieves who live by stealing from the national treasury. The clergy also must refuse donations (of four types) and preaching. This is to inform, advise and propose.

"Reverend clergy, may you listen to my words. The violent, mean, cruel, ruthless, pitiless soldier kings--the great thieves who live by stealing from the national treasury--have killed a monk at Pakokku, and also arrested reverend clergymen by trussing them up with rope. They beat and tortured, verbally abused and threatened them. Clergy replete with the Four Attributes--boycott the violent, mean, cruel, ruthless, pitiless kings, the great thieves who live by stealing from the national treasury. Clergy--also refuse donations and preaching. If the reverends consent and are pleased at the boycott and refusal of donations and preaching, please stay silent; if not in consent and displeased, please voice objections.

[Silence]

"The clergy boycotts the violent, mean, cruel, ruthless, pitiless kings, the great thieves who live by stealing from the national treasury. The clergy hereby also refuses donations and preaching."

i found this simple, and yet stunning act of the monks compelling. they took a sacred religious step for ethical and moral reasons. they were in my thoughts throughout jumoa namaz.

since then, the protests and marches have continued. while burma's junta has not retaliated with violence yet, the possibility can hardly be ruled out. there has been little significant international response to the situation, which a part of me finds unbelievable and disappointing, while another part of me says, what did you expect? burma is of little interest to most of the world, while china and india are both more interested in the country's natural resources and their own economic gain than in the plight of the burmese people.

i do not know what the outcome of the 'saffron revolution' will be. i am in no position to garner international concern or even religious solidarity for burma. but i find myself compelled to offer my individual concern and solidarity to the buddhist clergy there, as well as the people supporting them. especially in this month of ramadan.