Detaining a Noble One
The following information was shared by a monk who was connected to the incident described below. The veracity of this report has been questioned, and we are currently confirming again with the monk about these details. If the account needs to be corrected following this, we will do so.
The monk who shared this background requests anonymity for his safety, and has added the following message: “I have tried to contact the monastery by phone and messages, but received no answer so far. Therefore, it is not easy to make sure whether this news or the counter-information is correct or not. At this point we will have to hope the Sayadaw is happy, healthy, and free. I apologize if there was any misunderstanding and the intention was not to spread fake news but share what Myanmar people talk about. Today in Myanmar it is not easy to believe anyone and anything without a direct video from the particular event - and even then there may be doubts. I encourage you to try to visit the sayadaw and make your own reports of their personal meeting the sayadaw today.”
The Sasana in Myanmar continues to be under threat by the current military takeover. The morning of March 14th brought the devastating news that the chief of Myanmar Sangha, a member of the Shwegyin sect, the great Bamaw Sayadaw Ashin Kumarabhivamsa, was detained by the military.
Prior to this, Bamaw Sayadaw had released a statement referring to a story in the Jātaka Tales, in which an elephant tramples a little bird and her eggs for fun. In response, the bird gained the support of other animals and working together, led the elephant towards a high ravine, eventually tricking him into falling off the edge and dying. The story was seen as an indication of support for the nonviolent protesters, with the elephant symbolizing the military and the small animals being the people. In addition to this, he also reminded the military of another well-known verse from the Jātaka Tales (chapter 21, Asītinipāta - verse 176) in which ten virtuous practices of morally upright, just rulers are laid out.
Initially, the military invited him to a meal, and the venerable monk refused. The military then responded by inviting him to come for a COVID vaccine shot, which was also declined. At this point, soldiers pushed forth into his monastery, forcibly pushing aside those that tried to prevent their entry. Against his will, they claimed they were taking the monk for his own good to get a COVID vaccine, promising he would return the next day.
As his supporters suspected, he has not returned and his whereabouts are currently unknown. Burmese followers are anxious about his well-being and many are in a state of shock. They worry about his monk’s age and health, as well as the destruction the military is wreaking on the survival of Buddhism in their country.
In related news in Mandalay, Paul Fuller shared that because of the military’s invasion of Myadaung monastery, monks have issued a letter with the following proclamation:
"Saffron Saṇgha Network threatening the military with ‘turning-over of the alms bowl’ (pattam nikkujjeyya). If soldiers and police enter any monastery or holy places with weapons and threaten the monks then all Burmese monks will 'turn over their alms bowl'.”
