The Future of Buddhism in Myanmar
Bo Thanmani holds a reflective and critical perspective on Burmese Buddhism, deeply influenced by his years as a monk and his broader social activism. He sees Burmese Buddhism at a crossroads, challenged not only by political turmoil but also by a crisis of moral and spiritual identity. Bo Thanmani is concerned with how the military has co-opted Buddhist symbols and rhetoric, using them to legitimize their rule while fundamentally contradicting the religion’s core teachings of compassion, non-violence, and truth. He observes a disturbing alignment between some segments of the monastic community and the military, which has led to a perversion of Buddhist principles. This alliance, in his view, undermines the faith’s integrity, turning potential sources of moral guidance into instruments of political propaganda. Despite these challenges, Bo Thanmani retains a hopeful vision for the future of Buddhism in Burma. He believes in the resilience of genuine Buddhist values and practices that transcend the current politicization of the religion. He envisions a purified form of Buddhism that returns to its roots — focusing on personal enlightenment, community support, and ethical living — and serves as a beacon of peace and stability in a post-conflict Burma. His hope lies in a reformation within the Sangha and among lay practitioners to reclaim their faith from the clutches of political misuse, fostering a Buddhism that actively contributes to societal healing and true democratic governance.
“Buddhism in Myanmar is weaker and weaker. And it is just traditional belief. To preserve Buddha’s teachings or for survival of Buddhism it is very important to practice. Without practice, it would not survive.”
The survival of Buddhism in Myanmar is a very tough situation of big challenges, facing big challenges in Burma. The belief in Burma in Buddhism since years ago, it is traditional belief. It is difficult to cultivate deeper Buddhism in Burma, and especially, vipassanā, the meditation centers are not so many. There are, but not many. But compared to other countries, I saw many meditation centers, that are strong and very effective, that they are trying.
Buddhism in Myanmar is weaker and weaker. And it is just traditional belief. To preserve Buddha's teachings or for survival of Buddhism it is very important to practice. Without practice, it would not survive. Buying, building pagodas, by building Buddha images, it is it is not really following the Buddhist teachings. It is not really practicing Buddhist teachings, though. So, it is difficult to survive in Burma, especially since numerology or superstition, it is against the Buddhist teachings. It is totally against the Buddha's teachings. That's why what the military is doing is against the Buddha's teachings. They are not really to progress the Buddha's teaching or to promote Buddhist teaching. They are destroying not only the monasteries, but also the whole of Buddha's sāsana, the Buddha's teachings.
What the Buddha taught is, for example, not to be angry, not to hate others, but what has happened in environment is hating each other. The military does that; they took power, they seize power. And then this showing of hatred, it is totally against the Buddha's teaching. It should not be like that. And it is the beginning of hatred all around the country. So, then people hate the military; people start to fight against the military. Because of the military leaders who are calling themselves Buddhists. But what they are doing is totally against the Buddha's teachings. Not to hate each other is the number one.
And [two] no to greed. Because of greedy mind, they took power. They want to be the master, but by stealing, by taking power, they will never be master. And then, because of the ignorance, number three, because of ignorance, they do such stupid things. If they are brave enough, if they are bright, if they are intelligent, they won't do such a thing as military coup. It is shameful things that they are doing. Because of this, for Buddhism to survive is to practice the Buddha's teaching, to follow the Buddha's teaching. Then the Buddha, the teachings, will survive. Otherwise, it will disappear sooner than later.
I would say that the Burmese, they see the monks who is right in the who is wrong. The people are in Burma, because of this military coup, they can see the reality. The reality means that some monks, not many, but some monks are pretending that they are real, great monks, So, morally, they are really respected, but because of the military dictatorship, the military coup, they are going together with the military partners and military leaders. People, they see that those monks are so greedy and thinking for themselves. And so selfish, that people will see. The people see clearly those monks; they don't respect and don't want anymore those monks.
On the other hand, there are many monks who will support the revolution who standing for the people's society. And in this hardship time, there are many, many such monks. So, I would say, because of this military coup, clearly people see who is right and who is wrong, who is a right monk and who is a wrong monk. We can see that in this revolution. Because of this, I think, in the future, the monks who are highly respected by the people will take the place, and they will organize more systematically in the country.
So, that's why I would say that I am optimistic, because of this. The future the Burmese Buddhists will welcome a new era. But those monks who are not right, especially who are now following, supporting the military, they will not, they will not have a place for them in the future. They will not have a place for them in the future. In the future, in the country of Myanmar, less monks, but those who are right, who really practicing monks, will take their place. They will exists in this country. So less monks, but clear, right monks will exist in the country.