Monkey See, Monkey Do
In the first panel, JMP depicts a scene of joyous monkeys feasting on an abundance of fruit, symbolized by plentiful bananas. One monkey cheerfully assures another that they can indulge as much as they desire, as there seems to be an endless supply.
In the second panel, a figure resembling a divine monkey god is portrayed, seated in a Buddha-like posture. This deity-like entity asserts its authority by proclaiming that in order to partake in the available bananas, one must engage first in prayer. Here, the commentary takes aim at the notion of religion as an artificial, man-made system that adds unnecessary complexity and challenges to life.
For me, the underlying message that JMP is getting at here, suggests that religion, similar to capitalist systems, creates an intermediary or middleman that complicates and restricts access to resources. In the absence of such systems, life might have been more straightforward and accessible, with lands and goods readily available without the need for an intervening entity.
By employing this angle, the commentary exposes religion, in this case Buddhism, as a construct that potentially obstructs the direct relationship between individuals and the resources or benefits they seek. It raises questions about the role and influence of organized religion in society, presenting it as a human-made system that adds layers of complexity and conditions to the fulfillment of basic needs or desires. From the past cartoons we've seen from JMP, this is certainly his feeling of the current manifestation of Burmese Buddhism.
Interestingly, this interpretation aligns with a broader critique of capitalism, which argues that certain systems and structures artificially impose barriers and hierarchies, leading to inequalities and unnecessary complications in the pursuit of fundamental necessities. In this case, the critique extends to religion as a social institution, highlighting its potential role in shaping and mediating access to resources, much like capitalism does in economic systems.
What do you think?