A Corrupt Exchange

"I’ll share my mettā with you, but you have to give me dāna (donation)."

In an evocative display of satire, a recent cartoon from JMP highlights a troubling trend: the creeping commercialization of the Dhamma. The artwork portrays a monk who proposes a transaction unbefitting of the robe he dons—offering mettā, or pure loving-kindness central to the Buddha's teachings, in exchange for monetary donations. This image is not merely a critique but a mirror held up to a practice that has drifted from its moorings—the unconditional offering of spiritual gifts. Historically, the relationship between laypersons and the Sangha has been steeped in mutual respect and piety, with the lay community supporting the monks, and in return receiving spiritual guidance and blessings.

The Dhamma, as taught by the Buddha, is said to be priceless, transcending the realm of commerce and material exchange. The suggestion that mettā, one of the most profound teachings, could be commodified is a stark deviation from these principles. It signifies a misalignment that challenges the very foundation of the faith. But this cartoon is not just a piece of art; it is a statement, a bold one at that, signaling a shift in the societal perception of religious practices in Burma since the coup. The courage to openly critique and satirize monastic practices is indicative of an emerging discourse across Myanmar, including online spaces, that demands authenticity and accountability within religious institutions.

It underscores an awakening within the community—a realization that spirituality and its expressions should remain untainted by materialistic encroachments. The implications of such perceptions are profound. They touch the core of the lay-monastic relationship and question the integrity of religious practice. This dialogue, brought into the public eye through satire, could very well be the impetus for introspection and reform.

It is a call to action—a call to preserve the sanctity of the Buddha's teachings and ensure that the practice of mettā remains what it was always meant to be: unconditional and free from the fetters of transactional dynamics.