network of engaged buddhists (uk) - statement on burma

Network of Engaged Buddhists UK

Statement on Burma
The largest public demonstration against the
repressive military regime in nearly 20 years has
been carried out in the past weeks by thousands of
Burmese monks and nuns . As the Alliance of All
Burmese Buddhist Monks march, chant, and overturn
their almsbowls (patam nikkujjana kamma), refusing to
accept donations from members of the military regime,
the UK Network of Engaged Buddhists offers our full
support and solidarity.

Burma has lived under direct social and political
repression for nearly 20 years, since the democracy
uprisings of 1988. The army's answer to the people's
yearning for freedom in 1988 was the killing of
thousands of demonstrators. This repression has in no
way abated over the years, bringing with it ethnic
cleansing of minority groups, corruption, forced
labour, and widespread poverty.

We recognise these non-violent demonstrations by
Buddhist monks and nuns as expressions of compassion
at a time when the already impoverished nation is
staggering under the government mandated price hikes.
We salute Burma's monks and nuns who have historically
used techniques on non-violence against oppression and
who today are leading the way to democracy and human
rights.

We urge the international Buddhist community as well
as the UK Government to support the call for
liberation and the end of military rule. We urge
Burma’s leader to meet the monks, nuns and
representatives of all the millions yearning for
freedom with open eyes and ears, and with all weapons
set aside, so that Burma will again find its rightful
place as a beacon of freedom and dharma in the world.
Joyce Edmond-Smith , Chair ,
on behalf of the Network of Engaged Buddhists