Yo, sit back and let me explain to ya a story bout Probably the most wild and respected dudes within the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u hardly ever heard about him, u in all probability livin below a rock within the Kayin State or sumthin. This male was more than just a monk in the saffron robe; he was just like a pressure of mother nature, a true-lifetime legend who modified The full vibe from the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the center and soul of your Myaing Gyi Ngu place. Born while in the late 40s, i think, but Truthfully, his age didnt matter trigger he experienced that previous-soul Electricity from the beginning. He wasnt about that extravagant city lifetime in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle male. He cherished the mountains, the trees, and buildin items. And when I say buildin, I signify buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. Just about everywhere he went, BAM—another pagoda. White ones, gold types, massive kinds, modest kinds. It had been like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. Persons say he created hundreds. Can u consider? Most of us cant even end a LEGO established, which monk is out listed here constructin monuments in the midst of a war zone.
Talking of war, thats exactly where things get authentic messy and authentic fascinating. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin in a temple chanting all day long. He was deep during the politics on the Karen individuals. Again while in the 90s, factors ended up heated involving the KNU as well as the gov. Thuzana, he made a decision to split and formed the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. Now, a monk leadin an army Seems ridiculous, right? Like, absolutely towards the rules. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He designed his soldiers stop eatin meat. Yeah, a complete Military of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore self-discipline. He preferred a "pure" land in which individuals lived through the Dhamma, or not less than his Model of it.
But hey, dont Imagine he was just a few military services person. His followers, guy, they worshipped the bottom he walked on. They named him "Sayadaw," which implies Terrific Instructor, plus they meant it. He experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see Many individuals livin there only to be in the vicinity of him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It had been like somewhat utopia he carved out in the chaos. Even though the surface earth was lookin at him sideways explanation for the conflict, into the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I try to remember hearin stories bout how he’d just stroll into dangerous locations and nobody would touch him. He experienced that "metta" (loving-kindness) energy, Or even persons were being just afraid of his spiritual mojo. He handed away in 2018 within a medical center in Bangkok, and male, the funeral was massive. Like, thousands of people cryin, monks all over the place, a real sad working day for the Burmese Buddhist Local community. Even now, his legacy is just about everywhere. U see his confront on posters in minor tea outlets or stickers on vehicles drivin through the mud in Kayin State.
He was a fancy dude, for sure. A lot of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he induced extra hassle. But u cant deny his impression. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he read more was tryin to make it on the planet, a single brick and a single vegetarian soldier at any given time. He lived his everyday living his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, just like the jungle he referred to as house. Respect to your previous person, U Thuzana. He was genuinely one of A sort, a real OG on the Theravāda custom.