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

Yo, sit down and let me explain to ya a Tale bout Among the most wild and revered dudes during the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u under no circumstances heard about him, u almost certainly livin beneath a rock inside the Kayin Condition or sumthin. This guy was a lot more than simply a monk inside of a saffron robe; he was just like a power of mother nature, a true-existence legend who modified The complete vibe with the borderlands.

U Thuzana, he was the center and soul of your Myaing Gyi Ngu region. Born from the late 40s, I believe, but Actually, his age didnt matter cause he had that aged-soul Vitality from the beginning. He wasnt about that extravagant town lifetime in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle male. He loved the mountains, the trees, and buildin points. And After i say buildin, I imply buildin. He had this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—another pagoda. White kinds, gold types, large ones, smaller kinds. It was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. People today say he constructed hundreds. Can u think about? Most of us cant even finish a LEGO established, which monk is out listed here constructin monuments in the midst of a war zone.

Speaking of war, thats exactly where things get real messy and actual intriguing. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin inside of a temple chanting all day. He was deep in the politics of the Karen folks. Again while in the 90s, matters were heated between the KNU plus the gov. Thuzana, he chose to split and shaped the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Military. Now, a monk leadin an army sounds crazy, correct? Like, fully versus The principles. But for his followers, he was protectin the faith. He produced his troopers end eatin meat. Yeah, a complete Military read more of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore willpower. He desired a "pure" land where by folks lived through the Dhamma, or not less than his version of it.

But hey, dont Feel he was just a few military male. His followers, gentleman, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They known as him "Sayadaw," which suggests Wonderful Trainer, and so they intended it. He had this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see A huge number of persons livin there just to be close to him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It had been like somewhat utopia he carved out with the chaos. Even though the skin entire world was lookin at him sideways reason for the conflict, to the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.

I bear in mind hearin tales bout how he’d just wander into perilous locations and nobody would contact him. He experienced that "metta" (loving-kindness) electricity, Or perhaps men and women have been just fearful of his spiritual mojo. He handed away in 2018 inside a hospital in Bangkok, and male, the funeral was enormous. Like, A large number of individuals cryin, monks almost everywhere, a true sad day for that Burmese Buddhist Local community. Even now, his legacy is just about everywhere. U see his experience on posters in minor tea outlets or stickers on vans drivin throughout the mud in Kayin Point out.

He was a fancy dude, obviously. Lots of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he caused more issues. But u cant deny his impact. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to build it on earth, 1 brick and one particular vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his existence his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, much like the jungle he known as home. Respect towards the old male, U Thuzana. He was definitely among A sort, a real OG on the Theravāda custom.