Monks back on the streets

from the BBC website

More than 100 monks have marched in central Burma, the first time they have returned to the streets since last month’s bloody crackdown on protests.

The monks chanted and prayed as they marched through Pakokku, the site of an incident last month that triggered pro-democracy protests nationwide.The government said 10 people died during the crackdown, but diplomats believe the toll was much higher.

Thousands more - many of them monks - were thought to have been detained.

Can a Buddhist “kill” a zombie? (Happy Halloween)

Being a Buddhist on Halloween poses a problem to some, if not all of us. With all the ghouls and ghosts about how is someone with a compassionate demeanor to succeed on such a hallowed day?

What if by chance you stumbled upon a ghastly zombie, munching some brains, what do you do? Kill it? Maybe not, but I sure as heck would. I don’t want any stinkin’ zombies eating my brains on Halloween, I’ve got candy to seek out.

Burma: Children being forced into military by Junta

Ian MacKinnon, South-east Asia correspondent
Wednesday October 31, 2007
The Guardian

Burma’s military, facing a gathering manpower crisis, is forcibly recruiting children as young as 10 into its ranks, according to a report today by Human Rights Watch.

Civilian brokers and recruiters for Burma’s 400,000-strong armed forces receive cash payments for each child they sign up, according to the international pressure group. Battalion commanders under pressure to keep numbers up and facing high rates of desertion often turn a blind eye when the recruits evidently violate the minimum age requirement of 18.

Christians sore over Dalai Lama visit

Bloomington bans Bible, but welcomes Buddha
Mayor: Display is to honor ‘His Holiness the Dalai Lama’
Posted: October 19, 2007
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Buddha is welcome but the Bible is banned at the Bloomington, Ind., city hall after officials booted a display of the Ten Commandments erected by Christians wanting equal treatment with the Far East religion promoted by the Dalai Lama.

A WND request for comment from Mayor Mark Kruzan wasn’t immediately returned, but a team of Christians upset over the promotion of Buddhism told WND they are seeking legal advice about their next step.

Junta Coerces Detained Women to Confess to Sexual Relations With Leaders of the Saffron Revolution

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) Broadcast, The Buddhist Channel, October 30, 2007

Yangon, Myanmar — DVB reported that two of the women detained were put under duress by the Home Affairs Ministry to confess to having improper relationships with the monks who led the Saffron Revolution and the Patta-nikkujanna against the junta. They were promised monetary incentives to become prosecutor witnesses to testify against the monks.

DVB interviewed Ma Ohnmar, a member of the opposition party National League for Democracy, to confirm this information and also about her experience as a detainee; she was arrested on the 25th of September and was only released a few days ago.

From the ashes… Buddha

I was stumbling around and found an interesting site that mentioned an artist, Zhang Huan, and his Buddha Statue (click the links to see more photos). This is no ordinary Buddha statue though folks, it’s made entirely of ash! He compacts to create the form of Buddha. After reading I kind of paralleled this “crumbling Buddha” to the mandalas that monks create, and then destroy to teach about the impermanence of things and life.

Congrats Red Sox Nation!

Just a quick post to lighten things up and congratulate the best team in baseball, the Boston Red Sox. Having been born and raised on Cape Cod, MA I, and many other’s, have lived for this each and every year. It doesn’t get old being a sportsfan in New England. With teams like the Red Sox and the Patriots, it makes me proud to come from this small area of the US of A.! Until next year folks! Keep the faith, Red Sox Nation it’s time to celebrate!

Myanmar Junta Denounces US As ‘Bully’

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s military government stepped up its propaganda campaign against the United States on Sunday, accusing Washington of inciting last month’s pro-democracy demonstrations in hopes of installing a puppet government.

Demonstrations that began Aug. 19 over high prices for fuel and consumer goods grew into a broad-based movement for democratic reform that attracted tens of thousands of people in Yangon, the country’s biggest city.

Burmese Monks: Accept no alms from junta!

Asia News, Oct 26, 2007

Marking the end of the Buddhist fast the military has deployed fake monks to collect all gifts. Monastery leaders meanwhile have urged all of the Bonzi against accepting offers from the authorities, or risk “excommunication”- The Minister for Religions asks the monks to “understand” the need for the repression.

Yangon, Myanmar — The silent battle of the Buddhist monks against the Myanmar dictatorship continues. Following September’s violent repression of peaceful street protests led by the Bonzi, it would seem that the non violent movement against the regime has been silenced.

Hug-Nation

A little while ago I added the “Free Hugs” video (which can still be seen in the Videos section of this blog) and today, just now, saw this other great story. I recommend you all to check it out and support what they are doing. Little by little, we can change the world, one hug at a time!

Caleb Shikles has passed on, as you will see when you click the links, but his grandson John Halcyon is carrying on with the effort that Caleb began.

Click here for the Hug-Nation website

Or here to read the story and watch a video from Yahoo News

Burma: Junta forges ahead with “dialogue”

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

October 26, 2007 – The ruling Burmese junta is continuing along its stated course, including its approach toward engaging with opposition leadership, despite several claims that the regime’s current methods fail to offer a genuine opportunity for reconciliation and political alternatives.

Aung Kyi met yesterday for the first time with opposition and National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in his role as government appointed liaison officer between the junta leadership and that of the Suu Kyi’s party.

Monastery in Lhasa sealed off

BEIJING, China (CNN) — At least one monastery remained sealed off by armed troops in the Tibetan capital days after celebrations marking the awarding of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama, reported a human rights group.

In its report Tuesday, the International Campaign for Tibet, which opposes Chinese rule there, cited local sources and said that troops were surrounding Drepung monastery in Lhasa, with possibly hundreds of monks still inside.

Quote to ponder…

“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?”
- Buddha

ps. Please note the new “quote” tab on top of the page. There’s more in there, go ahead, try it out.

“Waves of freedom will keep rolling on”

By Anne Hyland, New Zealand Herald, Oct 23, 2007

Yangon, Myanmar — There is talk from Yangon to Mandalay of more protests. From the educated elite to the struggling, sinewy rickshaw drivers, all say with conviction that it will happen within three months.

“This is the beginning, we must face them” says 92-year-old Ludu Daw Ahmar, an eminent literary figure admired for her outspoken anti-Government views. “We are struggling, but victory is with us.”

Cursing the junta with dirty panties?

AP STORY
BANGKOK, Thailand - Women in several countries have begun sending their panties to Myanmar embassies in a culturally insulting gesture of protest against the recent brutal crackdown there, a campaign supporter said Friday.

“It’s an extremely strong message in Burmese and in all Southeast Asian culture,” said Liz Hilton, who supports an activist group that launched the “Panties for Peace” drive earlier this week.