U Thuzana Sayadaw and the Long Memory of Burmese Theravāda Practice

Yo, sit back and let me explain to ya a Tale bout Just about the most wild and respected dudes within the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u under no circumstances heard about him, u possibly livin below a rock in the Kayin Condition or sumthin. This dude was much more than just a monk inside of a saffron robe; he was just like a power of nature, a true-lifetime legend who adjusted the whole vibe of your borderlands.

U Thuzana, he was the center and soul of your Myaing Gyi Ngu location. Born during the late 40s, i think, but Actually, his age didnt subject result in he had that old-soul Strength from the start. He wasnt about that extravagant metropolis life in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle man. He loved the mountains, the trees, and buildin points. And when I say buildin, I imply buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—One more pagoda. White kinds, gold types, significant kinds, little ones. It had been like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. People say he crafted hundreds. Can u picture? Many of us cant even finish a LEGO established, which monk is out right here constructin monuments in the course of a war zone.

Speaking of war, thats exactly where things get true messy and actual interesting. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin inside a temple chanting all day long. He was deep while in the politics from the Karen people today. Back inside the 90s, items had been heated among the KNU and the gov. Thuzana, he decided to split and formed the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Military. Now, a monk leadin a military Seems nuts, ideal? Like, thoroughly in opposition to the rules. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He manufactured his troopers quit eatin meat. Yeah, an entire Military of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore discipline. He needed a "pure" land exactly where people lived via the Dhamma, or at least his Edition of it.

But hey, dont Imagine he was just some military services dude. His followers, male, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They termed him "Sayadaw," which suggests Excellent Instructor, and they meant it. He experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see Many persons livin there simply to be around him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It was like somewhat utopia he carved out of your chaos. Even if the outside entire world was lookin at him sideways reason behind the conflict, to your locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.

I recall get more info hearin stories bout how he’d just wander into harmful spots and nobody would touch him. He experienced that "metta" (loving-kindness) electricity, Or even men and women have been just frightened of his spiritual mojo. He handed absent in 2018 within a hospital in Bangkok, and guy, the funeral was enormous. Like, 1000s of persons cryin, monks everywhere, an actual unfortunate working day with the Burmese Buddhist community. Even now, his legacy is in all places. U see his experience on posters in little tea outlets or stickers on trucks drivin from the mud in Kayin State.

He was a fancy dude, needless to say. A lot of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he brought about extra hassle. But u cant deny his effect. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to build it on the planet, one brick and one particular vegetarian soldier at any given time. He lived his life his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, just like the jungle he named dwelling. Regard to the previous person, U Thuzana. He was certainly one of a kind, an actual OG from the Theravāda custom.