Buddhist Monks start Japan tour to defend Buddhism

Phanida (Mizzima News)

December 17, 2007 - On the invitation of various Buddhist organizations, the 'International Burmese Monks Organization' (Sasana Moli) led by venerable U Pannavamsa started its tour of Japan from 7th December, wrapping it up by the 16 th of this month. The Organization intends to seek further support from the international community to immediately stop hostilities and acts of repression in Burma and begin a genuine political process of reformation by inclusive dialogue.

The International Burmese Monks Organization was formed on 27th October this year in Los Angeles, US to work together with the international Buddhist community in defending and protecting Buddhism.

We present here an interview of Ven. U Pannavamsa on his tour to Japan.

Q: What is the intention of your organizing a tour in Japan?

A: We are here to organize the Buddhist people to protect the Burmese people from the junta's repression. And also we would like to start an awareness campaign of what is going on in Burma such as expelling the monks from the monasteries viz. Maggin, Ngwe Kyaryan etc.

Q: Where have you been? Whom have you met?

A: We shall visit Tokyo and Nagoya and meet Buddhist monks and politicians. Then we will proceed to Maloto and meet 2 to 3 Monks organizations there and will discuss Burma issues.

Q: How will you conduct your organizational tour, Ven.?

A: We are striving hard for this. We told them about the September uprising regarding the monks. We told them how our Burmese Buddhist monks have nowhere to go and asked them to help us. We discussed with them administrative issues but not about financial assistance.

Q: When did you form your International Burmese Monks Organization?

A: We formed our organization on 27th October this year.

Q: What are your aims and objectives?

A: We didn't form this organization for ourselves. We formed this organization for the monks in Burma who have nowhere to go and are hapless, while some are injured. We consulted our senior abbots and the respective governments worldwide and formed this organization to help Burmese people and to talk about Burmese people.

Q: How many monks are there in your organization?

A: Over 50 monks.

Q: What would you like to say about your Japan tour, Ven.?

A: We would like to say especially that this tour is not for ourselves. On behalf of all, I would like to say we are striving hard for the perpetuation of Buddhist Sasana in Burma , because the junta is posing a threat to Sasana in our country. Burma itself has been under threat for 45 years. We are persuaded by the pressure of Buddhism. We would like to request all with due respect to do something that should be done, and not to stay calm, indifferent and quiet. We shall do this task too and do our organizational work.

Q: How important is the role of Japan regarding the democratic struggle in Burma?

A: It's very important. We are under two menaces. This is our issue. The first issue is the situation of the Buddhist monks in Burma . There are many Buddhists in Japan , so we have come here to ask for their assistance for their fellow Buddhist monks and Buddhist people.

Q: What is the achievement from your current tour?

A: We firmly believe they will provide us their utmost help as Japan is also a Buddhist country. Similarly the former Foreign Minister, former diplomats assured us help when we met them.

Q: What do you feel about the brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrations led by the monks during the September uprising?

A: As you know, the news of the brutal crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations led by the Buddhist monks was spread on the international media and on internet. Even the international community cannot tolerate it anymore. As a responsible person, every Burmese citizen should show their sorrow and sadness on this brutal crackdown and should do something for it.

Q: What did you do in US before coming to Japan?

A: I met many organizations from various countries personally and also met Congressmen and Senators, NGOs, and visited White House before coming to Japan. There are many other Burmese monks from various Buddhist Organizations in their respective countries and they are also working for our organization. We are doing our utmost to make Burma free from all repression and hardships. We will proceed to other countries too after this Japan tour, but we have not yet fixed our itinerary.

Q: How have the Burmese people in Japan respond to your Japan tour?

A: We are not meeting only with the Buddhists here, but also met with people from all faiths, Christians and Muslims too. We asked for them to work together in unity for our country. All accepted this point.