Monkly Wisdom

Lay supporter: "Our monks know many things about the world, so listen carefully to his wisdom."

Monk: "The stone is producing water."

This latest cartoon by JMP points to a very fascinating tension existing between the worlds of logical reasoning, critical thought, and modernity on one hand; and that of supernatural events, magical powers, and spirituality on the other. The dynamic between these two spectrums is far from a "Myanmar thing," but indeed has been present throughout world history in all times and places where modern structures have come to surpass traditional (and spiritual) life. Yet while this shift happened centuries ago in the West (albeit the pull back to a pre-modern lifestyle continues to be prevalent in various ways), it continues to be playing out before our eyes in Myanmar today.

To provide just a smidge of historical context (as far as these social media platforms allow with their limited word counts); as the Colonial era came to Myanmar, an anxiety developed around the very survival of Buddhism, and a desire to see the faith on an equal footing to Christianity. This contributed to the development of what is now known as "Protestant Buddhism," in which the more secular and logical features of the practice were emphasized, and the more supernatural and magical parts were minimized or voided entirely. This shift can be seen in discussions not only with the likes of diplomats and academics like U Nu or U Ko Lay, but also in the meditation teachings and discourses by figures like SN Goenka or Mahasi Sayadaw. Indeed, they would often engaged in "code switching," where public lectures focused more on the "scientific" aspects of the practice, while older yogis and teachers would hear about such things as the presence of invisible beings or unexplained happenings.

Going back to this particular cartoon, it is clear that JMP is taking on a sardonic edge, criticizing the so-called "wise" monk for spouting nonsense. As someone who clearly wants his society to take a more modern and developed path, JMP consistently comes back to his frustration that the monkhood continues to hold the country back with its outdated and unproven guidance.