Top Ten Episodes Since the 2021 Military Coup
Many longtime listeners know that we dramatically transformed our platform after the military coup in Myanmar launched on February 1, 2021. Before, our stories focused primarily on discussions about Buddhism, meditation, and spirituality, often connected to the Golden Land. While we still return to these topics now, we expanded our platform to also inform and engage people around the world about what was happening in Myanmar, as we felt an ethical responsibility to address the reality of the situation rather than spiritually bypass it and remain in a vacuum. So, since we transformed our platform, we bring you the most popular episodes published since that fateful day.
10. Towards a More Just Society: Marlar explores gender issues in Myanmar, highlighting the patriarchal society, challenges faced by women, and the impact of technology and the #MeToo movement, while also addressing intergenerational violence and political dynamics in the country.
9. Finding Inner Stability in Troubling Times: The American nun Daw Viranani discusses the lack of understanding about Buddhism in foreign reporting on Myanmar, addressing the current situation from a Buddhist perspective, emphasizing the practice of mettā-bhavana (loving-kindness meditation), and exploring the intersection of social justice and meditation practice in American and Burmese societies.
8. A Voice of Conscience: Ma Thida went from medical school to political involvement, endured imprisonment, and found solace in literature and meditation. She discusses Myanmar's political landscape, Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership, and the current generation of activists.
7. The Taste of Dhamma: We hear the spiritual experiences and journeys of three foreigners who have come to Myanmar as part of their inner spiritual exploration. These guests share their deep gratitude for Myanmar's spiritual influence on their lives and reflect on the significance of their experiences in the country.
6. The Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi Returns: Bhikkhu Bodhi discusses the complex ethical dilemmas and nuances of observing sila (ethics) in the context of the Myanmar resistance, emphasizing the importance of intention and reason behind one's actions in challenging situations.
5. David Eubank: A Man of Faith and Action Fights for Burma: David Eubank's chance encounter in the Burmese jungle led to the creation of the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian organization serving ethnic communities amidst conflict and crisis.
4. Navigating Rough Waters: In the midst of global support and concern for the crisis in Myanmar, Vipassana teacher Daniel Mayer of the S.N. Goenka tradition emphasizes the importance of finding a balanced approach for meditators, acknowledging the wider context and avoiding spiritual bypassing while advocating for active engagement and support as part of their ethical responsibility.
3. Sitagu Sayadaw, The Coup, and Burmese Buddhism: Bhikkhu Cintita, who was ordained in Myanmar by Sitagu Sayadaw and has spent time at his monastery, provides a nuanced and empathetic perspective on the controversies surrounding Sitagu Sayadaw's words and actions in relation to the military, shedding light on the complexities and nuances of the situation.
2. Beth Upton: A former Buddhist nun who has led an extraordinary spiritual journey from deep meditative absorption in Myanmar to living in caves in Spain, Beth shares her insights and teachings with others.
1. Bhikkhu Bodhi on the Crisis in Myanmar: In the face of the moral quandaries posed by armed conflict and ethical dilemmas, Bhikkhu Bodhi suggests a sensitive and flexible approach that adapts the spirit of the Buddha's teachings to navigate complex real-life challenges, acknowledging that there may be no clear-cut ethical solutions in such difficult circumstances.