U Thuzana Sayadaw and the Culture of Respect in Burmese Theravāda Monasticism

Yo, sit back and allow me to tell ya a Tale bout One of the more wild and revered dudes in the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u by no means heard of him, u in all probability livin under a rock while in the Kayin State or sumthin. This dude was much more than just a monk within a saffron robe; he was like a drive of nature, an actual-existence legend who changed the whole vibe in the borderlands.

U Thuzana, he was the center and soul on the Myaing Gyi Ngu region. Born from the late 40s, I believe, but Actually, his age didnt make any difference trigger he had that old-soul Power from the beginning. He wasnt about that extravagant town lifestyle in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle man. He liked the mountains, the trees, and buildin matters. And After i say buildin, I indicate buildin. He had this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—An additional pagoda. White ones, gold ones, big kinds, small types. It had been like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. Folks say he built hundreds. Can u consider? Most of us cant even end a LEGO established, and this monk is out here constructin monuments in the middle of a war zone.

Talking of war, thats in which issues get authentic messy and true appealing. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin within a temple chanting all day long. He was deep while in the politics of your Karen individuals. Back again in the 90s, things were heated concerning the KNU and the gov. Thuzana, he made a decision to break up and shaped the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. Now, a monk leadin an army Seems ridiculous, ideal? Like, fully in opposition to The foundations. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He built his soldiers prevent eatin meat. Yeah, a whole army of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore willpower. He preferred a "pure" land where individuals lived by the Dhamma, or a minimum of his Variation of get more info it.

But hey, dont Assume he was just some military dude. His followers, guy, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They referred to as him "Sayadaw," which implies Good Instructor, they usually intended it. He experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see Many persons livin there simply to be around him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It had been like a little bit utopia he carved out in the chaos. Even if the surface entire world was lookin at him sideways reason for the conflict, on the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.

I recall hearin stories bout how he’d just stroll into risky sites and no-one would touch him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) electricity, Or possibly people today were just terrified of his spiritual mojo. He handed absent in 2018 in a very hospital in Bangkok, and guy, the funeral was massive. Like, Countless folks cryin, monks almost everywhere, an actual unhappy working day to the Burmese Buddhist Local community. Even now, his legacy is all over the place. U see his facial area on posters in very little tea outlets or stickers on vans drivin throughout the mud in Kayin State.

He was a fancy dude, obviously. A number of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he induced far more difficulties. But u cant deny his effects. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to make it on earth, 1 brick and one particular vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his everyday living his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, much like the jungle he referred to as house. Regard to your old guy, U Thuzana. He was genuinely one of A sort, a true OG in the Theravāda tradition.

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