RELIGION & SOCIAL MOVEMENTSBurmese Uprising

• “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.”

• - Karl Marx (1844)

• But is that really so?

Structure of Presentation• Introduction• Buddhism• In Quest of Democracy• Historical Context• Monk-led 2007 Protest• Religion in social movements• Discussion

Crash Course in Buddhism4 Noble Truths

• Suffering• Knowledge of Suffering• Abolishment of Suffering• Way to Abolishment of

Suffering

Eightfold Path

Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfullness Right Concentration

Crash Course Buddhism II

Theravada Buddhism

• Monks have a high social status• 90% is Buddhist • Laypeople gain positive karma by donations economy of

merit (elaborated later)

In Quest for Democracy

Sangha the sacred, the institution of Buddhism

Mahasmmata ruler by unanimous content of people

Khattiya ruler of agricultural land

Raja winning affection of people through observance of the

Dhamma virtue, justice & the law

• Manifesto • by Aung San Suu Kyi• Buddhist

In Quest for Democracy• Integrates Buddhist values with democracy & human rights

• Ten Duties of Kings • Elected King or Government should adhere to this ten duties;• constitutes the legitimacy of power; • i.e. Liberality, morality, self-sacrifice, integrity, kindness, austerity,

non-anger, non-violence, forbearance & non-opposition to the will of the people

“Traditional values serve both to justify and to decipher popular expectations of democratic government”

Historical Context

Burma was united as a monarchy in the 11th century, ruled by devoted Buddhists

• Colonial History• Anglo-Burmese wars (1824, 1852, 1885)• Policy of ‘divide and rule’

} Introducing divers language systems} Favor certain (Christian) minorities

Leading to long-lasting ethnic conflict – preventing a Burmese nationality

Historical Context II• National Independence Movement

• From student strikes (1935) to a revolutionary movement• Burmese Independence Army during WOII• Aung San and Independence of Burma (1948)• Underrepresentation of minorities

• Military Junta (1962)• One party-system• Burmese Way to Socialism – nationalization means of production,

centralization economy and no freedom of expression

Historical Context III• 8888 Uprising

• Discontent reaches crisis proportions

• Democracy Summer 8/8/1988

• Alliances resistancemovements

• National League forDemocracy (NLD)

• State Law and OrderRestoration Council(SLORC)

Historical Context IV• Multi-party elections (1990)

• House arrest Aung San Suu Kyi• SLORC refuses to acknowledge victory of the NLD• Roadmap to democracy

2007 Protests – causes, goals and events

• Spring 2007 – boycott against the oppressive regime

• Protesting the economic hardship

• September 2007 – protesting violence against monks

2007 Protests – causes, goals and events

• 17-27 September 2007• Big protests in Yangon and Mandalay to end military regime and

economic policy

• 26 & 27 September 2007• Breaking the hope crackdown by the military regime

2007 Protest – Why the Monks?

• Moral Authority

• Economy of merit

2007 Protest – Strategy & Tactics• Boycotting Donations

• From members of military government and their families• “Pattan nikkujana kamma”• Is considered as a big disgrace

• Infrastructural Advantage• Usage of religious sites as safe-houses and rally points• Established organizational resources

• Religious Practice• Use of established Buddhist chants/practice to protest• Religious practice as alternative public sphere

2007 Protest – The Aftermath• Short-term

• Battle lost hopes crushed• Raised consciousness of alternatives

• Long-term• Making progress• Elections

Religion – Oppressive or Disruptive• Often sided with oppressive regimes

• Marx saying it is opium might be true, but is very limited

• Paul said: Abide the government as it is God sent• But then it can be argued Jesus was an activist all his life • More universal for other religious traditions

• Multiple examples • Iranian Revolution, PXUSA, Liberation Theology, Nepal, Civil

Rights, Burma

Religion – Assets• Transcedental motivation

• Morals from the absolute• Rituals and icons bind & give perserverence• Self-discipline

• Organizational resources• Trained leaders in organization• Existing communication

• Shared Identity• Group forming• On several levels

Religion - Assets• Social and Geographical composition

• Cuts through more traditional social class demarcation lines• Geographically dispersed

• Privileged Legitimacy• Often gained special status through history and beliefs• Repsected as open space sanctuary

• Strategy• More involved in non-violent direct action than secular groups!

Discussion – no.1

• Do the Buddhists values promote actions or inaction? Disruption or Apathy?• What about other religions?

Discussion – no.2

• Do religions promote critical thinking & questioning of authority?

Discussion – no.3

• What motivates you to be an activist or to care about others/state of the world?• Are small victories needed to keep us going or is intrinsic moral

righteousness more important?

• “People say of us we do not win, but we stand strong” -PXUSA

Discussion – no.4

• What would have happened in 2007 if the robes would have been blue? And what if it were more lila?

Discussion no.5

• Is there a lack of moral lessons in our education system?• Or do we still get these lessons even though the church attendance

is in decline? Or where to get/are we supposed to get this moral framework?

• Buddhists values instilled through education system?