Monks are to follow Viniya rules of the Buddha

NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 7 Oct 2007

Ovada sought from Sayadaws of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee

Monks are to follow Viniya rules of the Buddha, rules and regulations and instructions

If they breach any one of those orders action may be taken against them

Nay Pyi Taw, 6 Oct — A ceremony to seek ovada from Sayadaws of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee (All Ganas) was held at Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee (Sudhamma) in Bahan Township, Yangon, yesterday afternoon.

Director of Yangon Division Administration Department U Hla Soe supplicated on religious matters saying violent disturbances occurred in some townships of Yangon Division due to some members of the Sangha and laypersons.

During the disturbances, monks of the monasteries who did not take part in the disturbances faced threats and insulting group throwing bottled water at their monasteries. Troublemakers committed assaults even on eminent monks.

The Minister for Religious Affairs presented the true events to State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee on 24 September 2007. The committee issued Directive No 93 the same day prohibiting all acts that violate Vinaya (discipline).

Yangon Division GAD imposed section 144 (curfew) in townships it deemed necessary in Yangon Division the next day. Disturbance-makers and some members of the Sangha organized and deceived by a certain party and other troublesome so-called ‘88' generation students, and bogus monks specially kept for causing unrest in defiance of curfew ganged together to incite unrest.

Security forces responsible for enforcing peace and stability and the rule of law in Yangon Division systematically restored the situation in accord with the law. But the violent protesters ganged up on security personnel and even tried to grab their weapons.

All the people including members of the religious order must observe laws enacted or issued by the State.

According to objective information, witnesses and other evidences, security forces had to carry out search of Ngwe Kyayan Pariyatti Sarthintaik, Dhamma Zeya, Shwetaungmaw and Satilayama monasteries in South Okkalapa Township, Dhammathukha monastery in Tamway Township, Moegaung monastery in Yankin Township, Meggin, Kyauksataw Ashe, Pyinnya Tagon, Dhamnma Waipula and Shwekyin Taikthit monasteries in Thingangyun Township, Mingalayama and Pyinnya Yamika monasteries in Botahtaung Township, Sasana Theikpan and Sasana Gonyi monasteries in Bahan Township, Takkathila Zeyathikdi Pahtan monastery in Dagon (East) Township, Thirizeya and Pandisayama monasteries in North Okkalapa Township, totalling 18 monasteries where U Gambhira, U Vicitta, U Obhasa, U Pakata, U Kovida, U Ottara, U Khanti, U Kusala, U Aggavamsa, U Neminda, U Nanataja, U Ottama, U Sinninda, U Janinda, U Kusala, Shin Gandera, U Vunnasara, U Tejaniya, U Kontinna, U Jatiya, U Candavara, U Kevala, U Somana, U Acitta, U Pannajota, U Kosalla, U Pannavamsa, U Nandobhasa and U Catila, who led, generated, participated and supported the disturbances were residing, due to unavoidable circumstances.

In the raid, the members could not differentiate between monks and novices and bogus ones. So, they took 513 monks, one novice, 167 men and 30 women for questioning.

It is regrettable that the operation revealed that in some monasteries, women sleep in the buildings where monks reside, and the members found 42 uncensored pornographic VCDs, one uncensored pornographic DVD, three pornographic books, two pornographic wall sheets, four pornographic photos, a Kama Siddhi treatise, a photo of a woman, 10 condoms, one sexual tonic medicine sachet, dildo (with belt), one statuette of a woman and a man hugging each other, 13 women's wear longyis (sarongs), eight panties, one purse, a love letter, perfume/glycerin bottles, men's wear longyis, T-shirts, Jeans, two cordless phones, three loan agreements, one men's wear Rolex wrist watch, 10 alcohol bottles, one 9mm pistol round of ammunition, 18 different kinds of swords, three wooden nanchatkus, one axe, six wooden rods, one iron rod, 13 catapults, documents about lists of bets, 30 booklets featuring football match fixtures and documents about football match bets, documents, ledgers and receipts about two-digit and three-digit illegal lotteries, three sets of playing cards, one anti-government poem book titled Thway Mawgun, one paper sheet featuring anti-government letter titled Nyinyut Kya Yin, three paper sheets featuring facts about Myanmar Young Monks Union, one diary dated on 18.9.2007 featuring expressions that Myanmar Young Monks Union made demands to the government, documents about news records and speeches of NLD, one badge of fighting peacock, “88” generation student group's invitation cards for Waso robes donation, one Nazi headband, and two US headbands.

After interrogating those who were taken from the monasteries, up to 5 October, 404 monks, one novice, 158 men and 30 women who were found innocent had been released. Now, 109 monks and nine men are under questioning.

Foreign media and anti-government groups made fabrications that in the incidents, there were casualties of some monks. In reality, only a dead body with a tattoo depicting party political affairs and a yellow robe on his neck was found to be floating in the Pazundaung creek. He was only a bogus monk wearing a yellow robe.

It was found that the internal and external elements did not even spare the monks practising Pariyatti and Patipatti in their monasteries and persuaded them to take to the streets. Their acts were in total disregard of the Sasana and the Buddha's teachings, and they attempted to tarnish the image of Buddha's Sasana and sow discord between the government and the people. As a result, the Sasana as well as the country was affected. So it proved that the destructionists were sticking to the means of confrontation and utter devastation.

As U Gambira, U Vicitta, U Obhasa and U Padaka, who led the instigation to cause disturbances, escaped, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha are requested to expose bogus monks. Although authorities and security members pay respects to the real monks, they had to take action against those bogus monks trying to tarnish the image of the Sasana in order to ensure community peace and tranquillity, the rule of law and perpetuity of the Sasana. Therefore, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha who are safeguarding the Sasana are requested to give Ovada.

Later, Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee (Shwekyin) Sayadaw of Sasana Alinyaung Monastery in Dawbon Township Bhaddanta Jotika, Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee (Muladwara) Sayadaw of Gandayon Monastery Bhaddanta Jayasena, Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee (Weiluwun) Sayadaw of Bilin Monastery in Sangyoung Township Bhaddanta Pannawbhasa and Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee (Thudama) Sayadaw of Legaing Monastery in Dalla Township Bhaddanta Ardisavamsa gave the Ovada.

They said that as the security members could not distinguish real monks and novices from bogus ones they had to take monks and novices they had found. But the monks and novices who were found innocent have been released and sent back to their monasteries. Action will be taken against those involved in the violent protests in accord with the law. Those who got involved unwittingly in and those being threatened to join the protests have been released. There was growing concern over rumours that some monasteries will be raided at night. Now, the public concerns have subsided. It is required to expose U Gambhira and some monks who were acting in collusion with such foreign radio stations as BBC, VOA and RFA. And our media need to refute fabricated news aired by foreign media. Officials are to inform the monasteries as to notifications of local authorities in order that those who haven't learnt yet the notifications through the newspapers and televisions may know them. Officials are to strive to get a large number of monks know that only monks who led the protests and bogus monks who were found together with things that have nothing to do with monks were arrested and action was taken against them.

Monks are to follow Vinaya rules of the Buddha, rules and regulations and instructions issued by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and the law issued by the State. If they breach any one of those orders action may be taken against them. It was pleased that monks had been defrocked during interrogation and then they had been ordained and sent back to their monasteries. The handling of situation during the violent protests and measures taken by officials for purification of the Sasana amounts to serving the interest of the Sasana. Officials are to make continued efforts for perpetuation, purification and propagation of the Sasana. If monks and disciples make concerted efforts it is sure that achievement will be made.

Next, the ceremony ended with the recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu.

Sayadaws of all Ganas of the committee, heads of district GADs, Head of Yangon Division Religious Affairs Department U Soe Naing and district heads and Director of Yangon Division Immigration and National Registration Department U Hla Daung and district heads were present.