The Monk who sold his peace

 

 

The first American ordained a Buddhist monk in Burma, Alan Clements has been witness to the worst of atrocities exacted by the military junta through his stay in a Rangoon monastery in the 70s. Author of “Burma: The Next Killing Fields?”, Alan’s conversations with Aung San Suu Kyi in ’95-’96 became the book “The Voice of Hope” (edited excerpts on facing page) that provides remarkable insight into one of the most courageous non-violent revolutions of the world and its exemplary leader.

Do you think the success of a "non-co-operation movement" has more to do with the presence of a charismatic leader (Gandhi, Aung San Suu Kyi) than the ideals themselves (satyagraha, non-violence)?

In his book "Long Walk to Freedom", Nelson Mandela mentions how important it was for him as one of the principal leaders in the ANC to keep the idea of freedom alive in the hearts of the people. So in that sense… many people in the world have beautiful values but they cannot be activated unless there is someone who knows how to water those values in their heart. Gandhi was one of those who knew how to moisture the seeds of liberation and truth and commitment to non-violence in the minds of millions.

Compare and contrast Gandhi and Daw Suu.

I would say that she’d feel remarkably honored to be in any comparison to Gandhiji; she’s very quick say that I’m an ordinary person doing the best I can. (Is) remarkably committed to the power of non-violence and love, and non-cooperation with oppression… Daw (Madam) Suu has transcended a state of mind beyond forgiveness; she’s not even asking the people to forgive the generals – she’s actually trying to say we want you as part of the solution, which is hard to believe… In that sense, she has many comparisons to Gandhi. At the same time, she is alive in this modern world with contemporary understanding of things that didn’t exist in the 40s and 50s.

What do you think is the motivation in facing ruthless torture and violence?

The people of Burma know that they are on the right side of right, so to speak; they have history on their side. They know that dictatorship, fascism, always fall. They know that Mahatma Gandhi overthrew the domination of the British; the white apartheid machine in South Africa seeming impenetrable collapsed; the Berlin Wall fell. They know the power of freedom. There is a great power in the moral ethical integrity of their revolution. Yes, they are deeply tested all the time – they are a country under siege. There are 50 million prisoners held against their will; 3000 villages have been completely burnt to the ground; million refugees live outside the country; two million people displaced in the country; the country is starving… a country oppressed by this very wicked dictatorship, supported by the money of China, Russia, and also India. Where do they get their stamina, their vitality? I think they draw on the wellspring of compassion, of self-respect. They are thinking of their children’s children’s children, in dedicating to freedom, and history has proven them right that at one point in the future, there’ll be a free society in Burma.