Engaged Buddhism in Myanmar

“I believe in vipassanā meditation very strongly, that it can change our life, to be human beings. But I also believe in providing for the community, education, health programs, for poor people, for senior citizens. The Buddha himself, he was also doing welfare programs.”

While the topic of Engaged Buddhism continues to provoke debate within Western meditator communities, that simple quote from Kyun Pin Sayadaw U Jatila throws the topic into stark relief, and is all the more remarkable for its context: the Sayadaw was faced with a full military assault on his Sagaing-based meditation center. Bombs and mortars dropped from the sky, and soldiers advanced on the grounds firing indiscriminately, placing the Sayadaw and the yogis under his care in immediate danger. His admirable response to these horrific and terrifying events is the subject of this podcast discussion.

Sayadaw U Jatila relates, in a calm and detached way how in spite of the danger, he confronted the soldiers, and, without anger, admonished them for their actions. Then, in the aftermath of the assault, he and fellow monastics banded together and pooled resources to help surrounding vulnerable communities impacted by the ongoing conflict, providing food, water, shelter and medicine, in spite of their own very difficult circumstances. He also explains how it is now important for the monkhood to support the democracy movement, and work towards an inclusive country which honors diversity and human rights for all.

So, far from meditation being a solo, inner activity, totally withdrawn from the world, Sayadaw U Jatila points to how wholesome, positive engagement in the social sphere is actually an extension of one’s insight practice and the wisdom one has gained, even in the most trying of times.