Dalai Lama Supports Burmese Monks

Irrawaddy

Dalai Lama Supports Burmese Monks; South African Churches Send Encouragement
By Sai Silp
September 24, 2007


The Dalai Lama has offered his support to Burmese monks who are leading public demonstrations against the military-led government.

He appealed to members of the Burmese military regime who are Buddhist to act in accordance with the Dharma in the spirit of compassion and nonviolence, in a statement released on Sunday.

The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace laureate, expressed solidarity with the monks and the people of Burma.

“I fully support their call for freedom and democracy,” he said. “Moreover, I wish to convey my sincere appreciation and admiration to the large number of fellow Buddhist monks for advocating democracy and freedom in Burma.”

“I pray for the success of this peaceful movement and the early release of fellow Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi,” he said.

On Friday, the South African Council of Churches also released a statement calling on South Africans to support Burma’s democracy activists.

The SACC also noted reports of increasing intimidation of Burmese journalists who are trying to report on the ongoing protests.

“This looks like a desperate attempt by the military authorities to prevent news from Burma reaching the outside world,” said Prof. Tinyiko Maluleke, SACC's president, “but history has shown us that when a country unites for peaceful change, not even the most brutal regime can stem the tide."

Last week, the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission urged the Buddhist community worldwide to join with monks in Burma and boycott all members or supporters of the Burmese military regime.

"We urge the honourable members of the Sangha (Buddhist community) everywhere to follow the example set by their counterparts in Burma and formally declare that they will not accept alms from representatives of the military government, including staff of Burmese embassies and consulates, or persons directly associated with it," said Basil Fernando, executive director of the Hong Kong-based regional rights group.

"The monks are clearly demonstrating against what has been happening in their country but trying to avoid bloodshed at all costs," he said, pointing out that they had prevented large crowds from gathering around them or walking with them, which could be used as a pretext for violence by the regime.