Yo, sit back and allow me to convey to ya a Tale bout Probably the most wild and respected dudes in the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u by no means heard about him, u most likely livin beneath a rock while in the Kayin Point out or sumthin. This dude was extra than simply a monk inside of a saffron robe; he was similar to a power of mother nature, a true-life legend who altered The entire vibe on the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the guts and soul with the Myaing Gyi Ngu place. Born from the late 40s, i think, but honestly, his age didnt make a difference induce he had that old-soul Power from the beginning. He wasnt about that fancy city lifetime in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle man. He beloved the mountains, the trees, and buildin things. And when I say buildin, I signify buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. In all places he went, BAM—An additional pagoda. White ones, gold ones, big types, modest types. It had been like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. People today say he developed hundreds. Can u think about? The majority of us cant even complete a LEGO established, and this monk is out in this article constructin monuments in the middle of a war zone.
Speaking of war, thats the place factors get authentic messy and authentic intriguing. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin inside of a temple chanting all day. He was deep within the politics from the Karen men and women. Back from the 90s, matters were being heated concerning the KNU along with the gov. Thuzana, he made a decision to split and fashioned the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. Now, a monk leadin an army Appears outrageous, right? Like, absolutely towards the rules. But for his followers, he was protectin the faith. He made his soldiers quit eatin meat. Yeah, a complete army of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore willpower. He desired a "pure" land exactly where persons lived from the Dhamma, or a minimum of his Variation of it.
But hey, dont Imagine he was just a few army person. His followers, gentleman, they worshipped the bottom he walked on. They called him "Sayadaw," meaning Excellent Trainer, and so they meant it. He experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see A huge number of individuals livin there just to be in close proximity to him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It absolutely was like a little utopia he carved out of the chaos. Even though the skin earth was lookin at him sideways explanation for the conflict, on the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I bear in mind hearin stories bout how he’d just stroll into hazardous places and no-one would touch him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) electricity, Or possibly individuals had been just fearful of his spiritual mojo. He handed absent in 2018 in a very hospital in Bangkok, and guy, the funeral was substantial. Like, A huge number of persons cryin, monks in all places, an actual unfortunate day with the Burmese Buddhist community. Even now, his legacy is just about everywhere. U see his deal with on posters in little tea outlets or stickers on trucks drivin through the mud in Kayin State.
He was a complex dude, obviously. Some people say he was more info a peacemaker, some say he brought on far more trouble. But u cant deny his impact. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to construct it in the world, one particular brick and just one vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his lifetime his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, just like the jungle he known as residence. Regard to your aged male, U Thuzana. He was actually certainly one of A form, an actual OG in the Theravāda custom.