Moderate Islam Global

Introduction: Buddhism has wide reputation as a non-violent faith. Its founder Buddha, born in Nepal in the 6th century B.C., left his luxurious princely life for 6-year meditation in the jungles , came up with enlightenment of 4 Noble Truths, one of which suggests worldly desire or greed as universal cause of human sufferings. His prescription to shed desire makes Buddhism originally non-violent. This peaceful image of Buddhism is facing a challenge from what has been going on in Myanmar (former Burma) since 2012. The Muslim minority group named Rohingya has been victims of deaths, mutilation, arson, eviction, internment, discrimination etc. committed by Buddhist extremists as instigated by Ashin Wirathu, the leader of 969 Movement. They are denied basic rights like medical treatment, employment etc. and human right groups like the Doctors without Borders are expelled. So far the government failed to stop such repression and the reaction of the world community has been largely passive. Only some fair minded western journalists are often covering news and revealing the truths.

Arguments against Repression: None of the causes presented for justifying such apparent ethnic cleansing passes the test of reason. (i) The Muslims comprise only a small fraction of a country where 90% are Buddhists. It is never likely that the poor and weak Muslims will ever dare to be on the offensive. (ii) The Rohingyas are blamed for migrating to Burma under British rule generations ago, obviously under compulsion and not with volunteerism. Such blame will prove meaningless if you look at American example where most people are immigrants and everyone including Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim minorities are peacefully coexisting with the Christian majority. (iii) The Rohingyas are blamed for having high birth rate which the demographers often link to lower literacy rate. It is not justified for the extremists to trim Muslim population by killing them indiscriminatingly. (iv) Violence against innocent Muslims goes directly against the non-violent principles of 4 Noble Truths and Eightfold Path of morality championed by Buddha.

Why Repression Should Stop: It would therefore be in the best interest of Buddhism in Burma as well as worldwide if the Buddhist extremists in Myanmar follow the advice of ancient King Asoka (the most prominent ancient Hindu leader converted to Buddhism) who said, You glorify your own religion if you honor others religion. This means if you respect others religion, you will get similar respect from them some of which might be attracted to your religion for its beauty. In the light of the above advice, if the extremists stop Muslim repression in Myanmar, that will contribute to world peace by eliminating a possible cause for repercussions of worldwide Muslims (who outnumber the Buddhists by about 4 to 1). For the sake of national and international peace, the Myanmar government which apparently started the process of transition from militarism to democracy should take effective measures to protect its minority Rohingyas. The Nobel peace prize winner from Myanmar Ms. Aung Suu Kyi should influence public opinion by campaigning against anti-Muslim violence and thus making her peace prize more meaningful. The moderate Buddhist leaders can also exert their influence to restore Buddhism to its original standard. The world is eagerly waiting to see that happens.

Islamic Thoughts

How Muslim Repression In Myanmar Violates Buddhist Principles?