tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35878167.post7102023657629605206..comments2023-01-02T08:05:15.057-08:00Comments on spiritually incorrect: Where are the protests and boycotts by the international community?Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00470542916911283360noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35878167.post-51772872199585855552008-11-24T21:05:00.000-08:002008-11-24T21:05:00.000-08:00I recently saw a photo of open faced, smiling adob...I recently saw a photo of open faced, smiling adobe-red robbed Ashin Panna, a brave Burmese Buddhist monk who scaled 2 barbed wire fences to escape to India, from prison in Burma on Oct. 1, '08. He had been tortured, kicked, punched, subjected to backbreaking labor such as carrying timber logs, pounding gravel, digging ditches while his feet were chained. He was one of the leaders of the Saffron Rebellion in Burma. He's an inspiration to allign myself with such groups as www.clearviewproject.org which posts the following: The Burmese have suffered since 1962 under brutal military junta that has turned the “rice bowl of Asia” into a destitute country. Fear controls the people. Torture, imprisonment, forced labor, the burning of whole villages, and conscripting child soldiers are the norm. <BR/><BR/>It took years to bring change to South Africa’s brutal apartheid regime. It may still take more years to bring change to Burma. But in Burma we have the principled, powerful example of Aung San Suu Kyi and the Buddhist monks and nuns who have refused to hate or retaliate in the face of horrific violence and injustice. <BR/><BR/>Western Buddhists owe a debt of gratitude to the Burmese for helping to bring the Buddha’s teachings to the West. They have kept and treasured the dharma for two thousand years. Whether Theravadan, Mahayana or Vajrayana, all Western Buddhists have been touched by the depth of Burmese Buddhism. And now many monasteries remain closed and thousands of monks remain unaccounted for.<BR/><BR/>The Burmese act in near isolation from outside support. But backing for their quest for democracy grows. Through careful and quiet channels, the democracy movement in Burma knows what we do on their behalf here in the US. Our support is precious to them in their struggle. The Burmese need us to speak with them and for them. <BR/><BR/>Keep the courage and heart of the Buddhist monks and nuns in Burma alive. Honor the Saffron Revolution though taking some action, however small to keep their struggle in awareness, knowing that the revolution is far from over. Let the Burmese regime and the world know that we will continue to raise our voices until the military junta yields to a free and civil Burma.<BR/><BR/>The International Burmese Monks Organization (IBMO)on September 26 held an all day meditation at the United Nations in NYC on Friday September 26, along with other NYC public events. Below are some suggestions for actions. The BPF website will have materials to print and use for these. Thank you for all your good intentions and actions.<BR/><BR/>In peace,<BR/><BR/>Clear View Project<BR/>707-360-8452 / margaret@clearviewproject.org<BR/><BR/>SAFFRON REVOLUTION — IDEAS FOR ACTION<BR/><BR/>Call or email Senator Obama (http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2) e.g. “Please, as a global citizen and US President-Elect, remind the world of the courage of the monks and nuns one year ago today to stand up and speak for their land with 50 million citizens being held hostage by their own government.” <BR/>Ask your Buddhist teacher to talk about the Burmese monastics’ actions in 2007 and/or socially engaged Buddhism. <BR/>Hold a special meditation or service either at your center or in public in support of monastics in Burma. <BR/>Write to the UN Secretary General asking for a complete arms embargo on Burma. (sample letter on BPF web-site.) <BR/>Host a speaker on Burma. (There may be a monk or Burmese expert near you. Contact us for suggestions.) <BR/>Send an email to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners. <BR/>(http://www.amnestyusa.org/myanmar-burma/action/page.do?id=YCA0955) Aung San Suu Kyi says, “Please use your liberty to gain ours.”morgan zo-callahanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08001503310888132771noreply@blogger.com