Burmese Actor in ‘Monk’ Photo Scandal
|
By ARKAR MOE |
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
|
A controversial photograph of a popular Burmese actor and his friends posing in saffron robes on the day of their ordination at a Buddhist monastery was published on a popular Burmese Website on Tuesday causing outrage and a severe backlash. The photograph, which was reportedly taken in 2007 sometime before the monk-led Saffron Revolution, shows actor Min Maw Kun and 11 friends posing in an unnamed Burmese monastery. Well-known photographer Wanna Khwar Nee is among the youths.  | | This photograph, taken sometime in 2007, has recently attracted widespread attention. |
Although their heads are shaved and they are wearing religious robes, most of the young men are displaying fashionable tattoos with motifs such as dragons and scorpions, as well as Old School and tribal tattoo patterns. Some of the men smile cheekily at the camera while others hug or pose provocatively. After appearing on the niknayman-niknayman Web site, the photo was reproduced on several other Burmese blogs and Web sites. Although several bloggers responded to the photo as “funny,” others were offended. On the Burmese version of Wednesday’s The Irrawaddy, many respondents felt the photo was in bad taste. Ashin Issariya, one of the leaders of the All Burma Monks Alliance, said, “The Buddha never banned tattoos, so persons with tattoos can still be ordained as monks. However, they should cover up, so the tattoo cannot be seen.” Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, one of the young men who appears in the photograph, but who wished to remain anonymous, said, “The photo was taken before the 2007 uprising. It was only meant as a bit of fun. We have no idea how the photo got online.” He added that, contrary to claims on the niknayman-niknayman Web site, the tattoos the young men displayed are real, and not fakes. A revered monk who lives in the US, Ashin Candobhasacara, sharply criticized the 12 men on an online blog. “Why would Min Maw Kun and his friends insult our religion like that” he questioned, adding that the men “should apologize for their decadent behavior.”
 COMMENTS (27)
|
KMA,
After being so adroit at advocating with occasional snobbery like "inane verbosity", will you really like to leave these common ground that we have found especially pointing out fallacies to those who feed on SOS1?
Quote me on my hidden agenda and let's not rehash grounds already cover.
Move on. |
|
 |
Moe Aung Wrote: |
09/08/2009 |
|
plan B,
The 'lady' doth protest too much. Isn't it enough that we have such a large contingent of the 'Junta Stooges R Us' on the forum, courtesy of the editors? Perhaps that's part of the attraction. More lively and fun. Transparency? Yes, your lot are all too transparent. |
|
 |
|
"plan B: The Irrawaddy to be fair is not the main or only site to publish the photo. I gather it was already in the public domain."
You are correct. But does the Irrawaddy know that it is one of the most well read forums about Burma compared to other more obviously biased ones like DVB, Mizzima and assorted others that openly declare "I love DASSK and I hate SPDC"?
Irrawaddy should know from the number of hits it is getting from different IP addresses from different countries. Even the SPDC IP! |
|
|
Moe Aung Wrote: |
07/08/2009 |
|
Okkar,
Speak for yourself. Agents provocateur, be it monks or lay persons, are routinely used by your lot, the MIS. I see you've rephrased the '2007 riots' to '2007 protests'. Can't make up your mind or is it your guilty conscience? Eat well, my junta stooge friend. The end is nigh! |
|
|
Free Man Wrote: |
07/08/2009 |
|
Although I do have a different opinion on this issue I am united with all those who support the cause of the movement. Let us agree to disagree.
You are right, my countryman, that Christian priests did/do bless, if not all, troops going to war. In point of fact, they were/are engaged in many other activities that hinder intellectual, moral, and scientific progress. There are also countless atrocities committed by these people. If I have to cite historical evidence, I don't think there is enough space here.
However, it still doesn't make me think that monkhood is compatible with violence. You may consider me unpatriotic, but I still hold this opinion until a reasoned argument is put forward. Thank you all for your discussion.
|
|
|
|
Youth and having fun are always connected.
But if they change from oridinary people to Buddha's sons, they must respect Vinaya Pitaka.
Their behaviour is not respecting Vinaya. An ordinary man can have fun.
But as a monk, many rules have to be obeyed. To be a monk is not easy.
It's shameful behaviour by Myanmar youths. |
|
|
Sein Kyauk Wrote: |
07/08/2009 |
|
I am really disgusted on seeing this photo. I don't think they were ever ordained by a presiding monk but they just put on the robes themselves. As George pointed out, an ordained monk must abide by the 227 precepts.
They must apologize and absolve their sins. As to some of the comments like Ma Ma's I am amazed by their thinking, or are they non- Buddhists. |
|
|
Moe Aung Wrote: |
07/08/2009 |
|
Free Man,
These are issues shared by all religions - individuals and groups including states that behave and act contrary to the religious teachings they profess to follow, not unique to Buddhism. You know the answer since it's merely a rhetorical question.
Christian priests bless troops going to war as a matter of course, not something Buddhist monks will do. But there have been famous Burmese monks such as U Ottama and U Seinda who led armed rebellions against the British, the latter also against the Socialist government of U Nu in newly independent Burma. Saya San was a former monk. I'm bound to say political activism is in a totally different category of un-monk-like behaviour from the rest.
Since the Sangha is entirely dependent on lay support, they are inevitably caught up in the people's misery and struggles themselves as is the case with Burma's students who are supposed to be only concerned with learning. We should all be proud of this great tradition and history. Unite! |
|
|
Maung Gyi Wrote: |
07/08/2009 |
|
| This really is a bad photo. However, instead of blaming/condemning them educate them to be better Buddhists for the future and for ever. They might not have the intention to insult our religion, they just acted stupidly. |
|
|
|
| This is the junta's way of democracy in Burma. Our country, our ethnicity, our religion, our culture, our tradition will be wiped out on earth if we keep the junta alive. The longer they are in power, the sooner we will have to see this happen. We all need to stand up and confront them now. |
|
|
paing soe Wrote: |
06/08/2009 |
|
| Buddhism is not a religion. It is a practical method and way of reaching Nirvana which is revealed and taught by our Great Buddha. We pray to him because we owe so much gratitude by being shown Dhamma which leads all mankind to their liberation. I pay respect to all keep and spread Buddha's noble teaching. |
|
|
paing soe Wrote: |
06/08/2009 |
|
| Free man got it right. I am sure there are not many true Buddhists in Myanmar. It's only written in their ID cards. Truth to be told, Buddhism cannot be destroyed with external threats. It can only disappear due to misunderstanding and disobedience internally. Internal enemies, such as those who pretend to be Buddhists, will ultimately destroy Buddhism in this world. |
|
|
|
I think they are not real monks.
I think this photo was set up by someone who had bad intentions towards the monks of Myanmar.
|
|
|
|
| Moe Aung: Does that mean you agree that those monks who participated in 2007 protests were fake monks? |
|
|
Free Man Wrote: |
06/08/2009 |
|
Acoording to comments from both the English and Burmese versions of The Irrawaddy, one can draw the conclusion that many people are offended by this photo.
So, one also wonders what people think of some monks which took part in Saya San-led armed peasant revolution. In addition, one also wonders what people think of some of the contemporary monks who use money, smoke, go to football matches, boxing, and movies, listen to the music, commit child abuse, take part in politics and religious riots/conflicts, enjoy worldly luxury, and so on.
What about people who do things that are contrary to Buddha's teachings? We refer to him as God when he said he wasn't. We build images although he told us not to engage in this kind of stuff. He told us to rely on ourselves, but we do otherwise. We go to astrologers and palmists. We go to whoever we think would help us discover material wealth galore. What does a Buddhist mean? I hope some of the readers will want to shed some light on this. |
|
|
Moe Aung Wrote: |
06/08/2009 |
|
Okkar:
"It wouldnt be far from the truth if one were to suggest that many NLD and opposition supporters shaved their heads, wore safron robes and claimed to be monks during the riot in 2007."
Funny you should say that since it's the usual practice of the military rulers to deploy such fake monks to infiltrate and sabotage or even act as agent provocateurs.
plan B: The Irrawaddy to be fair is not the main or only site to publish the photo. I gather it was already in the public domain.
Ma Ma: "Now Myanmar is rising up in Asia. You may see the monks dance like Michael Jackson soon."
Great! If that's how Myanmar is rising up, I shudder to think what else is in store for us. Drink, drugs and debauchery? It's all a growth industry alright.
Andrew is right about the desecration of the Vinaya. Young and having fun is perfectly natural but not when you are wearing the saffron robe.
Truth: "why didn't they take action against this kind of religious destroyers?" It suits them not to. |
|
|
Free Man Wrote: |
06/08/2009 |
|
| Reading some comments from the Burmese section on this particular news induced a calm smile from me. Some call thmeselves Buddhists, but their comments are not so Buddhist. It appears that some forget what a good Buddhist means but are more concerned with all these symbols and rituals. Forgiveness, compassion, and loving-kindness seem to have fled out of the window. |
|
|
LuuSoeLay Wrote: |
06/08/2009 |
|
| This photo is not funny at all. More likely the group just want to get attention with shameful behavior. |
|
|
Moe Aung Wrote: |
06/08/2009 |
|
The celebrity and fun culture of today is like a pandemic, easily spread to the young of the comfortable classes, and aped by those who are less fortunate.
It respects no religious or cultural boundaries, and it's nurtured by the prevailing economic system which encourages endless consumption. It works by seduction.
But it's an uphill struggle to raise the level of genuine cultural, intellectual and political consciousness which most ruling classes are never really keen on if they are honest, so they can better control the masses they rule over. The more we pursue a shallow lifestyle of consumption and instant gratification (preferably on borrowed cash), the better for the system that puts profits before people. Sign of the times, even in a place like Burma. |
|
|
Salai Bawi Wrote: |
06/08/2009 |
|
It's not surprising.
The photo seems to have been taken after the 2007 uprising because there were some (or many) Buddhist monks who were backed by the US embassy and other exiled groups. They were even said to have been trained at the American Center on how to organize demonstrations. You can see monks at the American Center every day, reading politics, getting journalism and social movement training.
I think religion and politics should not be mixed. what does lord Buddha say? |
|
|
|
This photo highlights the burning questions behind the "Safron Revolution."
If anyone can became a monk by shaving their head and wearing robes, how can we be certain that those monks who marched down the streets of Yangon during the Safron Revolution were real monks ordained in the monastery?
It wouldnt be far from the truth if one were to suggest that many NLD and opposition supporters shaved their heads, wore saffron robes and claimed to be monks during the riot in 2007. |
|
|
|
The Irrawaddy will bear responsibility if anyone of these young man is ever harmed by the humorless paranoid SPDC.
Worse yet, persecution of these people will make the SPDC look like a protector of the Buddhist faith after murdering many real monks just a few months ago. |
|
|
|
This is like desecration of Vinaya Pitaka.
They should have learned to respect the robe.
This shows how the youth of Burma are so much poor in taste, value and dignity.
This is happening in not just a particular person or group, young adults are degenerated in their morality. This is just sad to see them like that.
|
|
|
|
| The SPDC killed monks who chanted "Metta Thote" peacefully. But why didn't they take action against this kind of religious destroyers? |
|
|
George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote: |
05/08/2009 |
|
That's a dirty joke, I must say. Once a person wears a Buddhist monk's robes he is no longer an ordinary man. He belongs to a high religious order worthy of people lying prone and offering homage as a son of Buddha who is ordained as a revered monk, obliged to practice 227 rules governing monkhood.
People like these jokers are no more monks than monkeys in a zoo, as far as I am concerned.
Another way to put it is that they have just insulted our most revered Buddha and his scriptures and the elder Buddist monks who officiated in the ceremony in the course of their ordination into the monkhood.
These monkeys, including Min Maw Kun and his lot, have just booked their places in hell and all forms of life in the lower world of animals if they say they are still Buddhists.
Best advice for them is to denounce their religion and take up whatever they choose as their faith or, better, declare themselves atheists.
I am so sorry for them for not knowing that much though born in Burma and of Buddhist parents. |
|
|
|
| This is not insulting religion,this is a good sign. The monks in Burma should show Than Shwe how strong they are. Those are the twelve brave monk comandos and the disciples of Buddha. Sooner or later there will be a monks uprising again in every part of Burma. Every man and woman will join the monks this time and they will show how brave they are and will kick Than Shwe and his evil SPDC out of the country. Then the monks will have freedom and peace forever. |
|
|
|
| They are young and I can tell they are just simply having fun. They are posting to show their tattoos. They are so funny and so loving. This photo cheers my heart. So no need to hide the tattoos. This is modern Myanmar, not like 20 years ago. Now Myanmar is rising up in Asia. You may see the monks dance like Michael Jackson soon. |
|
|
|
|
RECOMMEND (31)
E-MAIL
PRINT
