The monk-led protests in Burma are about spiritual authority as much as they are about raw political power. They are deeply rooted in Burma’s religious culture. Nothing illustrates this so well as the chants of the protesting monks and their overturned begging bowls. Everyone in Burma understands the message: the military rulers are evil spirits who have lost their authority. The monks are chanting the Metta Sutta, a verse that embodies the Buddha’s counsel on the power and meaning of loving kindness. Part of it runs: “Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech. Humble and not conceited… Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful, not proud and demanding in nature.”
The story of the Metta Sutta goes back to the 6th century B.C. A group of monks, sent by the Buddha to meditate, found a beautiful grove, but were disturbed by wicked tree spirits who resented their presence. When they returned to complain to the Buddha, he told them to go back and show true loving kindness to the tree spirits. They did so and the demons were indeed won over.
The monks’ overturned begging bowls give another powerful message. They reject alms from the country’s rulers, alms that the rulers want to give, to assure their own salvation.
Buddhism often wears a meditative face, especially in the west. But Buddhism and social/political action have often been tied throughout history. Buddhism in Thailand and in Sri Lanka, as well as Burma, enters the realm of politics especially when times are bad. The Buddha’s teachings are full of advice about social action, like the Metta Sutta.
Burma’s military leaders are taking the view that Buddhism is about other worlds, not the present. The monks have a different and powerful message: that they care for the people in the here and now.
In Buddhism, as in other faiths, the relationship of politics and religion is interpreted very differently at different times and places. The military tell the monks should leave governance and power to others. Their violent crackdown rejects the right of Buddhist leaders to participate in the public square. The monks, in turn, are saying “enough is enough”, that whatever shreds of authority the military had are lost. They are reclaiming their voice and right to action.
Events in Burma (renamed Myanmar by its current military rulers) have deep religious currents and the thousands of courageous Buddhist monks who are challenging the country’s iron leadership are leading what will surely be known as a “bronze revolution” (after the rusty red robes Burma’s monks wear). What will happen next remains to be seen. But whatever the turn of events, religion will be a key to the next chapter.
