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Burma's law penalizes insulting any religion, but it is a case of the government there manipulating Buddhism in their country yet again for their own purposes.
Even in my Buddhist days some Buddhist monks were a bit too keen to denounce this or that remark, picture or song as 'disrespectful to Buddhism'. They should hear what some of the Chan masters had to say, before they start moaning about disrespect.
The Burmese government began in the Marxist days (when I was first there) by regularly trying tio discredit Buddhism. Then in the fascist days (1) following China into capitalism, they played the Buddhist card when it suited them but could shoot down monks if it suited them because the name of the game was Staying In Power. Now one watches with wry amusement (as one does at ex KGB man Putin jailing people for disrespect to religion) as they put on an exhibition of defenders of the faith.
(1) my view of politics is circular. Not a line with extreme left and extreme right, but a circle where they join and the only difference is the badge on their peaked cap as they tough -up the people.
Even in my Buddhist days some Buddhist monks were a bit too keen to denounce this or that remark, picture or song as 'disrespectful to Buddhism'. They should hear what some of the Chan masters had to say, before they start moaning about disrespect.
That's exactly what I was thinking. I guess if someone in Burma says "if you see the Buddha on the road, kill him," the government wouldn't take the larger point into consideration.
The scary thing is, there are a lot of politicians in the USA who would probably like to enact a similar law for Christianity.
Yes, given the military government's gyrations one way and then the other, it is impossible not to be cynical about their "protective" attitude toward Buddhism now. They seem to have embarked on quite an ugly campaign to encourage a Buddhist nationalism in their country...which can only be to suit their needs considering their past.
All the Buddha statues could insult Buddha. They show him fat. According to his writings, he lived an ascetic life and survived on one grain of rice per day.
All the Buddha statues could insult Buddha. They show him fat. According to his writings, he lived an ascetic life and survived on one grain of rice per day.
Just while pursuing an ascetic path. When it did not lead to enlightenment he gave it up and took food. He was pretty well fed, according to the writings.
Just while pursuing an ascetic path. When it did not lead to enlightenment he gave it up and took food. He was pretty well fed, according to the writings.
Ah, but what would have happened had he not had both worlds Luxury and Asceticism... He might have been a common man lost to history... without illuminating the moderate path.
How many geniuses pass without having a a chance to be heard? That's why our mandate or best option is to listen to what anyone has to say and decide whether it deserves a second hearing.
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