[Fcm-News] Burma

[fcm-updates at floridamindfulness.org]

Dear Friends,

During these recent weeks, there has been much consternation and concern
over the tragic unfolding within Burma, especially among the American
Buddhist community. The photos and description of the Buddhist clergy
taking to the streets of Burma to end the suffering of their people and
their willingness to put their own bodies “on the line” to end the
military junta’s injustices has garnered the world’s attention. My own
connection with Burma goes back to the early Seventies, when I had the
honor of hosting the first President of Burma (himself overthrown by the
military) and a devoted Buddhist and meditator, Prime Minister U Nu.  I
later was able to visit with him and his family in India (where he was in
exile) and go on pilgrimage with them to Bodh Gaya.  I also traveled to
Burma in 1976 and was deeply moved by the heartfelt piety and qualities of
Buddha Dharma that was so present in the people of all classes and
background that I was able to meet.

To deepen our understanding of the current situation, I am providing some
links to recent articles in the world press about Burma, and to the
Buddhist Peace Fellowship website that gives us some more information and,
most importantly, points us in the direction of compassionate action.

The first is from the Guardian, a British newspaper:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2180725,00.html

The second is from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/weekinreview/30mydans.html


The BPF link is:

http://www.bpf.org/html/whats_now/2007/burma_main.html


In the Dharma, Fred