U Thuzana Sayadaw and the Standards of Respect in Theravāda Burma

Yo, sit down and allow me to inform ya a Tale bout Among the most wild and revered dudes while in the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u under no circumstances heard about him, u in all probability livin less than a rock inside the Kayin Point out or sumthin. This person was much more than just a monk in a saffron robe; he was like a drive of mother nature, an actual-daily life legend who adjusted The entire vibe of the borderlands.

U Thuzana, he was the center and soul of your Myaing Gyi Ngu region. Born inside the late 40s, I feel, but Actually, his age didnt make any difference trigger he experienced that old-soul Power from the start. He wasnt about that extravagant town lifestyle in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle male. He cherished the mountains, the trees, and buildin factors. And when I say buildin, I signify buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—One more pagoda. White kinds, gold types, big kinds, small types. It absolutely was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. People today say he developed hundreds. Can u visualize? Most of us cant even end a LEGO established, and this monk is out in this article constructin monuments in the midst of a war zone.

Talking of war, thats where by points get actual messy and serious appealing. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin in a very temple chanting all day. He was deep within the politics on the Karen men and women. Again in the 90s, matters had been heated between the KNU and also the gov. Thuzana, he chose to break up and formed the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Military. Now, a monk leadin a military Seems nuts, ideal? Like, fully towards The foundations. But for his followers, he was protectin the faith. He built his troopers quit eatin meat. Yeah, a whole Military of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore self-discipline. He wished a "pure" land where people today lived via the Dhamma, or at the least his version of it.

But hey, dont Imagine he was just a few military services male. His followers, man, they worshipped the bottom he walked on. They identified as him "Sayadaw," which suggests Excellent Instructor, they usually meant it. He U Thuzana Sayadaw experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see Many people livin there simply to be around him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It was like a little utopia he carved out from the chaos. Even if the surface environment was lookin at him sideways reason behind the conflict, on the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.

I don't forget hearin tales bout how he’d just wander into risky spots and nobody would touch him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) electrical power, Or possibly individuals have been just terrified of his spiritual mojo. He passed away in 2018 within a medical center in Bangkok, and man, the funeral was big. Like, A huge number of individuals cryin, monks all over the place, a real unhappy working day for the Burmese Buddhist Neighborhood. Even now, his legacy is just about everywhere. U see his face on posters in small tea outlets or stickers on trucks drivin through the mud in Kayin State.

He was a complex dude, obviously. A lot of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he brought about additional hassle. But u cant deny his impression. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to make it on the planet, just one brick and a person vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his existence his way, raw and unfiltered, just like the jungle he known as residence. Respect to the previous man, U Thuzana. He was definitely considered one of A sort, a real OG with the Theravāda tradition.