Burma's State Buddhist council lives in authoritarian past

Mizzima, February 20, 2012

As the military prepares to bring Ashin Gambira back into criminal court, it’s time to reexamine the relationship between the State-sanctioned Sangha Council and the military-dominated government of Burma.

Rangoon, Burma -- In the traditional Buddhist Pali language, a single monk is called Puggala, an individual. Two to three monks are called in Sanskrit Gana, a circle of devotees, and four or more monks constitute a Sangha or Samgha. From the time of Buddha, Buddhist monks have always lived in communities of Sangha and will continue to do so for ages to come.

Prominent activist monk faces legal action in Myanmar

Reuters, February 19, 2012

YANGON, Myanmar -- Shin Gambira, a Myanmar monk jailed for his role in protests in 2007 and released in a January amnesty, faces action by the authorities because he has "repeatedly broken Buddhist monks' code of conduct and the law", state newspapers said on Sunday.

Myanmar 'Saffron Revolution' Leader Detained Within Month Of Release

RTTNews, Feb 12, 2012

Yangon, Myanmar -- A high-profile political prisoner released by the Myanmar government last month was taken into custody on Friday, reports said.

Evicted Buddhist Abbot to Leave Monastery Within One Month

By ZARNI MANN, The Irrawaddy, January 19, 2012

Yangon, Myanmar -- Prominent Buddhist monk Ashin Pyinna Thiha, the abbot of the Sardu Pariyatti Monastery, agreed to follow the order of the Maha Nayaka Sangha Council of Rangoon, the official Rangoon council of Buddhist monks, and leave the monastery within one month.

Buddhist Monk Faces Eviction From Burma Monastery

VOA News, December 17, 2011

Rangoon, Burma -- A Buddhist monk in Burma has been ordered out of his monastery after giving a speech at an office of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party.

Buddhist Abbot Under Pressure Since Clinton Visit

THE IRRAWADDY, December 14, 2011

Rangoon, Burma -- A prominent Buddhist abbot whose monastery in Rangoon has hosted a number of political events says he has come under pressure from the authorities since meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit to Burma earlier this month.

Monks end rare Myanmar protest

By Hla Hla Htay, AFP, Nov 16, 2011

MANDALAY, Myanmar -- Five Buddhist monks ended a rare protest in Myanmar on Wednesday, after they attracted hundreds of onlookers with their demands for peace and the release of all political prisoners.

Prominent Myanmar monk still jailed

by Aung Hla Tun / Jason Szep; Editing by Alan Raybould, Reuters,

YANGON, Myanmar -- A prominent Buddhist monk believed freed from a Myanmar prison on Wednesday in an amnesty for thousands of inmates remains behind bars following conflicting reports by his supporters.

Peaceful Protest Marks Saffron Revolution Anniversary

by SAW YAN NAING, The Irrawaddy, September 26, 2011

Rangoon, Burma -- Dozens of Rangoon residents marched peacefully through the city on Monday to mark the fourth anniversary of the Saffron Revolution only to be stopped by security forces, according to local sources.

U Gambira: “Please continue the peaceful movement”

The BestFreind.org, Nov 22, 2010

A message from U Gambira currently in Kalay prison, Sagaing Division.

Yangon, Myanmar -- U Gambira, the leader of the Saffron Revolution has been sentenced to 68 years under section 295(a) and 505(b) of Penal Code by Burma’s military regime in 2008. His sentence was later reduced to 63 years under the Electronics Law.

Junta Putting Pressure on Buddhist Clergy: Clinton

By LALIT K JHA, The Irrawaddy, November 18, 2010

WASHINGTON, USA -- The Burmese military junta continues its tight control over the activities of Buddhist monks and discriminates against religious minorities, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday.

Myanmar courts sentence activists, monk to jail

AP, Sept 30, 2010

YANGON, Myanmar -- Courts in military-ruled Myanmar have given long prison sentences to 13 people, including a Buddhist monk, who were accused of planning bombings and other activities to disrupt upcoming elections, lawyers said Thursday.

Life of fear for Myanmar monk, 3 years on from protests

By Rob Bryan, AFP, Sept 16, 2010

MANDALAY, Myanmar -- U Ottama recalls joining thousands of fellow Buddhist monks who flooded Myanmar's streets in a saffron-robed protest brutally crushed by the army. Three years on, he still lives in terror.

Arrested Monk Refuses to Eat

Narinjara, August 2, 2010

Sittwe, Burma -- Ashion Pyinya Sara, an Arakanese historian monk who was arrested by military authorities on allegations of impropriety, has refused to eat since 27 July, when authorities detained him in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, reported a town elder.

Prominent historian monk arrested in Sittwe

Narinjara News, July 28, 2010

Sittwe, Burma -- Burmese military authorities on Tuesday arrested prominent Arakanese historian monk Ramar Waddy U Pyinya Sara in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, on the accusation that he abused Buddhist religious principles, said another monk from Sittwe.

Burma plans crackdown on monks as election nears

By Andrew Buncombe, The Independent, 22 February 2010

Military authorities fear repeat of 2007 when monks led 'Saffron Uprising'

Rangoon, Burma -- The military authorities in Burma are planning a crackdown on the country's Buddhist monks to "discipline" them ahead of forthcoming elections.

Myanmar Imprisons Buddhist Monk

AsiaNews, 20 February 2010

Yangon, Myanmar -- A Yangon court has sentenced a Buddhist monk to seven years in prison, on charges of illegal association. The news was reported by a member of the opposition in Burma, on the same day the UN High Representative for Human Rights concludes his diplomatic visit to Myanmar.

Burmese Junta Bans Dhamma Advertising

By ARKAR MOE, The Irrawaddy, December 16, 2009

Rangoon, Burma -- Burmese authorities have banned the public display of posters in Mandalay advertising dhamma talks by monks.

Burma: Monk given two-year sentence

by Nan Kham Kaew, Democratic Voice of Burma, December 7, 2009

Rangoon, Burma -- A monk who appeared at the Rangoon courtroom on the day Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced in August has been imprisoned for two years, family sources said.

Secret video reveals Burma's crackdown on monks

By Norman Hermant, Australia Network, Nov 27, 2009

Rangoon, Burma -- A hidden camera has provided a rare glimpse inside Burma's mental health system which is used to incarcerate opposition figures and politically active monks.