[Buddha-l] Our correspondent on irreversible changes in Burma

[Weng-Fai Wong]

Sorry but I fail to see how shouting in the streets in the comfort of one's
country can help the Myanmanese. The truth is that there is little leverage
one has over the junta that doesn't even blink as they slaughter their own
people (or any foreigners who got in the way) live on TVs across the world.
Sanctions don't work. Case in point - Cuba and North Korea. Kim Jong Il
(according to reports) has no problem getting his high end wines and cognac
while his people starve to death and struggle under international sanctions.
More international "help" can be used by the junta to justify further clamp
down under the excuse of protecting the country against foreign
manipulation.

While I am all for keeping the clamp on the junta, I think the situation
probably will turn for the worse before it can get better. As illustrated by
the popular uprising against Marcos (Philipines) and Soeharto (Indonesia),
it will take internal strife in the junta plus the concerted effort of the
population within the country, for real change to happen.

W.F. Wong 

-----Original Message-----
From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
[mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Franz Metcalf
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 12:52 AM
To: Buddhist discussion forum
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Our correspondent on irreversible changes in Burma

Gang,

> Gosh, folks, are we still buying into the first-century Mahayana 
> polemics that all "Hinayanist" monks are completely selfish when it 
> comes to spiritual goals? Metta for the other is a rather important 
> part of Theravada, no?

Well questioned. And I might add I've not heard of any mass protests by
Mahayana monks in East Asia in non-dual solidarity with their brothers in
Burma. (Of course I should add I've not heard of any large scale protests by
the bordering sanghas of Thailand, either. I wonder why not? Is there a good
vinaya reason for protest or its lack?)

With, as Brad says, metta,

Franz

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