Question : (Unedited)
monks
excommunicating and turning their alm bowls to the ruling junta, is it not the
equivalent of a judgment? how does Theravada Buddhism regards this action
in its present context ? and please don't tell me those were bogus monks...
My comment:
Hi V,
In
normal circumstances, your question will be answered based on the purpose of
becoming a monk. A monk's life is supposed to be detached from worldly
affairs. However, in critical situations like the one in Myanmar, I would
reason that certain amount of common sense and wisdom have to take into
consideration. The sangha (community of monks) depends on the goodwill of
the devotees for their sustenance. I don't think that the monks should be
so heartless not to do anything knowing that the hands that feed them are
deliberately tied up. The cruel regime controls the masses with an iron
fist. It plunders the nation's wealth without a care for their citizens.
Prices are sky rocketing and the masses are threatened with hunger.
If nothing else, I would say the monks have the moral duty to stand up
and be counted. Such is the real nature of this existence. It is
very difficult to live in peace because of the prevalence of evil. This
is the Buddha's warning.
No comments:
Post a Comment