Yo, sit back and allow me to explain to ya a Tale bout The most wild and revered dudes while in the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u never heard of him, u most likely livin beneath a rock within the Kayin Condition or sumthin. This guy was additional than just a monk in a very saffron robe; he was like a pressure of character, an actual-daily life legend who altered The complete vibe of your borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the center and soul from the Myaing Gyi Ngu location. Born in the late 40s, I do think, but Actually, his age didnt matter lead to he had that previous-soul Electricity from the start. He wasnt about that extravagant town life in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle gentleman. He loved the mountains, the trees, and buildin points. And Once i say buildin, I necessarily mean buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—another pagoda. White types, gold ones, major ones, modest kinds. It had been like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. Men and women say he constructed hundreds. Can u picture? The majority of us cant even finish a LEGO set, and this monk is out right here constructin monuments in the middle of a war zone.
Talking of war, thats where by matters get authentic messy and real fascinating. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin in a very temple chanting all day long. He was deep during the politics of the Karen people today. Back again from the 90s, points have been heated in between the KNU as well as the gov. Thuzana, he decided to split and fashioned the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Military. Now, a monk leadin a military Seems ridiculous, suitable? Like, totally towards The foundations. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He made his soldiers halt eatin meat. Yeah, a whole Military of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore willpower. He wanted a "pure" land where folks lived through the Dhamma, or at the least his Variation of it.
But hey, dont think he was just a few military services dude. His followers, gentleman, they worshipped the bottom he walked on. They named him "Sayadaw," which implies Terrific Instructor, plus they intended it. He had this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see 1000s of men and women livin there simply to be in close proximity to him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It was like just a little utopia he carved out of the chaos. Although the outside earth was lookin at him sideways reason for the conflict, on the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I bear in mind hearin tales bout how he’d just wander into perilous destinations and nobody would touch him. He experienced that "metta" (loving-kindness) power, Or possibly men and women were just fearful of his spiritual mojo. He passed absent in 2018 inside of a medical center in more info Bangkok, and person, the funeral was substantial. Like, A huge number of folks cryin, monks in all places, an actual unfortunate working day for your Burmese Buddhist Group. Even now, his legacy is all over the place. U see his experience on posters in small tea shops or stickers on trucks drivin in the mud in Kayin Point out.
He was a complex dude, needless to say. Lots of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he caused a lot more difficulties. But u cant deny his affect. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to create it on this planet, 1 brick and just one vegetarian soldier at any given time. He lived his daily life his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, just like the jungle he referred to as dwelling. Regard for the previous male, U Thuzana. He was certainly among A sort, a true OG from the Theravāda custom.