Why U Thuzana Sayadaw Matters in the Burmese Theravāda Landscape

Yo, sit back and allow me to explain to ya a story bout The most wild and respected dudes in the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u never heard about him, u almost certainly livin below a rock while in the Kayin Point out or sumthin. This man was extra than just a monk inside of a saffron robe; he was just like a power of character, a real-lifestyle legend who modified the whole vibe in the borderlands.

U Thuzana, he was the heart and soul of the Myaing Gyi Ngu location. Born while in the late 40s, I do think, but Truthfully, his age didnt make any difference bring about he had that outdated-soul energy from the start. He wasnt about that fancy town daily life in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle man. He loved the mountains, the trees, and buildin items. And Once i say buildin, I signify buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—another pagoda. White ones, gold types, significant kinds, smaller kinds. It absolutely was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. Folks say he constructed hundreds. Can u imagine? Many of us cant even complete a LEGO established, and this monk is out listed here constructin monuments in the course of a war zone.

Talking of war, thats exactly where matters get serious messy and true exciting. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin in the temple chanting all day. He was deep inside the politics from the Karen individuals. Back again within the 90s, items had been heated concerning the KNU plus the gov. Thuzana, he decided to break up and shaped the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Military. Now, a monk leadin an army Appears ridiculous, right? Like, absolutely in opposition to the rules. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He created his troopers stop eatin meat. Yeah, an entire army of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore self-discipline. He needed a "pure" land where by persons lived from the Dhamma, or not less than his version of it.

But hey, dont Believe he was just a few navy person. His followers, male, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They named him "Sayadaw," which suggests Great Instructor, and so they meant it. He had this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see 1000s of men and women livin there only to be near him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It absolutely was like somewhat utopia he carved out of the chaos. Whether or not the surface entire world was lookin at him sideways reason for the conflict, on the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.

I keep in mind hearin tales bout how he’d just wander into unsafe places and nobody would contact him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) electric power, Or possibly folks ended up just fearful of his spiritual mojo. He passed away in 2018 in a clinic in Bangkok, and gentleman, the funeral was check here huge. Like, 1000s of individuals cryin, monks all over the place, an actual sad day for your Burmese Buddhist Local community. Even now, his legacy is everywhere you go. U see his face on posters in minimal tea stores or stickers on vehicles drivin from the mud in Kayin Point out.

He was a posh dude, for sure. Many people say he was a peacemaker, some say he prompted far more trouble. But u cant deny his effect. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to construct it on earth, a single brick and a person vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his daily life his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, just like the jungle he referred to as house. Respect for the outdated gentleman, U Thuzana. He was really amongst A form, a real OG of the Theravāda tradition.