An image seared into my psyche from the earliest years of my consciousness is that of a burning Vietnamese monk. The incident happened before my existence but was repeatedly shown during the long, drawn out war. The flames so violent, yet the monk so stoic. So Buddhist.
The image of such drastic protest to oppression is in sharp contrast to the stereotype of monks I later developed while studying Buddhism and talking to various practitioners - stoic and detached. In fact, one of the few criticisms of Buddhism that I hold is that, unlike Christian liberation theology, it is a philosophy that does not encourage political involvement. While I had heard rumours of socially engaged Buddhism and even read a few books on the subject, I hadn't seen much evidence of it in recent years. (Aside from Thich Nhat Hahn of course, bless him.)
The events coming out of Burma in the last couple of months are bringing to mind the images of Vietnam again. Monks protesting in the streets. Monks leading the protests. Monks being targeted by the brutal Myanmar government. I am both heartened by their social engagement and appalled by what is happening to them as a result. When someone is brave enough to stand for justice in the face of overwhelming power, we must support them. If we do, they may succeed. If we don't, their suffering will be in vain and that will be on our heads.
