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Some "4,700 Buddhist monks accepted Christ as their [Lord and] Savior," ahead of Easter said Christian Aid Mission (CAM), a major mission group representing native missionaries in Burma, also known as Myanmar. CAM told BosNewsLife that many monks have turned away from Buddhism, "after more than a decade of political cruelty toward certain Burmese ethnic minorities," by the military government of this predominantly Buddhist nation. CAM said about 3000 villages in eastern Burma have been destroyed and villagers, including Christians, were either killed or driven into remote mountainous areas. "Some were able to escape to neighboring countries, although they were not particularly welcomed there." Frustrated Buddhist monks played a key role in anti government protests since August, when authorities doubled the price of fuel and food, already priced at what missionaries described as "exorbitant rates." At least 31 people were killed when the country's military rulers broke up the demonstrations, although some dissidents and advocacy groups have said the death toll may be as high 200. "It was in the midst of this darkness that Buddhist monks and nuns began inviting Christian missionaries to come and share the Gospel in the privacy of their monasteries," CAM added. Despite "the dangers involved," missionaries went to several monasteries, and visited each one several times, the group explained. THOUSANDS CONVERT "In recent weeks, 4,700 Buddhist monks were led to Christ through our ministry," a missionary said in a statement speaking on condition of anonymity. "It appears that the Holy Spirit had urged these monks and nuns to call our evangelists to come and share the Gospel of hope and love. After several intense discussions, close to 80 percent of the monks present in each of the monasteries raised their hands to accept Christ, and then kneeled down to pray and receive Christ as their Lord and Savior." CAM said local missionaries have been quoting from the Bible's New Testament verse Galatians 6:9: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." There have been baptisms, done discreetly with no more than three monks at a time, "for the sake of the safety of the converts as well as our workers," CAM told BosNewsLife. The military government views Christianity as a threat to its powerbase, fuelling more attacks against villagers, several rights groups and locals told BosNewsLife. NATIONWIDE BOYCOTT News of the apparent massive conversions came as another group of Buddhist monks in Burma called for a nationwide boycott of upcoming religious exams to protest last year's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. The All Burma Monks Alliance, which helped organize last year's protests, said Wednesday, March 19, that religion could not prosper under a military regime that "kills and arrests monks and desecrates religious buildings." Thousands of monks and nuns across the country take the examinations each year, usually in April and doing well is considered a great honor. A successful boycott would likely be seen as a powerful symbol of resistance to the ruling junta, observers said. PROTEST SUPPORTERS The monks have historically been at the forefront of protests, first against British colonialism and later against military dictatorship, in a country where nearly 90 percent of 47 million people are Buddhists. "There is a monastery in most villages. Children are often educated in monasteries, so even if they do not actually become monks themselves, they have been thoroughly indoctrinated with Buddhist beliefs and practices," CAM added. Burma has been under military rule since 1962. The military government, known as the State Peace and Development Council, held a general election in 1990 but failed to hand over power to the victors, the National League for Democracy party of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently under house arrest. In a surprise announcement, the junta said last month it will hold a referendum on a draft constitution in May and a general election in 2010, the first specific dates it has set for what it calls a "roadmap to democracy." Dissidents, diplomats and human rights groups have dismissed the roadmap as a sham designed to consolidate military rule. (With BosNewsLife Research and reporting from Burma).
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Comments
| Dung |
Thursday, 20 March 2008 (19:17) |
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| I am little puzzled by this story because I know that the monasteries are today under close surveillance, they are penetrated by regime spies, and the abbots would never allow this sort of thing to happen. If the monks converted, they would have to leave and, having no work, would return to their villages where they would not get a good reception. |
| bumsinwaster |
Thursday, 20 March 2008 (21:03) |
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| I am from Myanmar, studying in UK. I don't think this news is true.
I would believe that monks they would resigned. There is no way to change to Christian to avoid present problems. |
| tawngbaw thu |
Thursday, 20 March 2008 (23:34) |
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| I'm from Burma, Christianity is not to solve present problems. If they didn't accept Christ is their Saviour this story is just a waste. |
| burmese buddhist patriot |
Friday, 21 March 2008 (02:38) |
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| fuck off to your senseless story. we dont wanna talk about religious matters on this alright? we're buddhist and we never interfere others' religion with false news.
if u dont know the real situation in burma, don't talk rubbish.
but if u're doing it intentionally, i'll insult u fuckers. u guys' christianity learned the moral values from buddhism and made a christianity urself by using our moral values.
our buddhism was discovered for over 25 centuries. u guys' christianity are only 20 centuries old. stop dreaming of buddhist monks converting to christianity. |
| Myanmar christian patriot |
Friday, 21 March 2008 (05:11) |
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| I don't believe that news. I am a Christian. I know about christianity in myanmar. We are trying to fight brutal government unifying all. That news make us divided. I am sure that news is not true. Real christianity does not depend on population. Don't try to recruit like collecting club members. Save Christ name. I do apologize all burmese buddhist brothers behalf of that reporter. |
| Aung |
Friday, 21 March 2008 (06:09) |
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| This is new LOW for BosNewsLife. Burma is a country with over 90% of its population are Buddhists. Let alone monks, ordinary Buddhist people will think intensely about converting to other religions. It is because in their hearts they understand the value of being a Buddhist and Buddha's teachings. Unlike other religions, Buddhism does not encourage in preaching for others to get them converted as Buddhists. You can learn and practice Buddha's teachings without converting. Today, many countries have wars directly or indirectly because of their religious beliefs. But I can safely say Buddhism is not part of those. And never will be. In my opinion, this article is just a senseless imagination of a sad person, it is totally baseless and it doesn't even has a hint of reality. Stefan J. Bos, you should be ashamed of your self. |
| gwana |
Monday, 24 March 2008 (12:05) |
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| I see some angry reponses here, some of them pretty rude and unpleasant. This is just a report - the journalist reports that a group claimed a certain number of conversions. That's all. It may or may not be true but there's nothing wrong with the article itself and nothing wrong with people choosing to change religion should they so wish. |
| Paing |
Tuesday, 25 March 2008 (20:48) |
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| I understand your opinion, Gwana. But even if the journalists are writing an article, why don't they find out some ppl around them if that's true or if that's logically possible. He can't become a journalists just like that unless he have a proper analysis of any article he's gonna publish on the news link viewed by the whole world. Also, those moderators or editors of this web site should also edit things carefully when it comes to religious issues. True that the journalists may report what they see or hear but they must have a certain logic and sense in their mind before posting such things like religious issues. I wonder how would a person like him become a journalist on this news link. It seems like the employer of these kind of journalists only employ cheap labor with low standard and unqualified journalists.
Moreover, let alone the monks, even those who have good knowledge of Buddhism and Buddha's teachings do not have a dust of interest in converting other religion like us. That group that claimed about this issue may be the dogs trying to ignite a fire between civilians to divide us. Did u ever think about this? Gwana and Mr. unqualified journalist? |
| peacemaker |
Tuesday, 25 March 2008 (21:40) |
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| Hi guys,
This news (rumor) is powerful enough to shoot two birds with one stone. Be careful. It is intended to convince people from Myanmar (mostly buddhists) to feel resentful about christians (they target the west who is supporting democracy) and at the same time, our Myanmar buddhists will start to get confused about possible conversion of buddhists monks to christianity, which will lead people to the point of opposing the monks, especially those actively participated in the last September revolution. What a smart play huh...?. Don't fall into the trap, friends. Every religion has its own merit and let's not insult eachother during this critical time to unite. Let's stay in peace and struggle for democracy. Don't forget that the juanta is smart enough to fool you. Be alert!!!!!! |
| Zaw |
Tuesday, 25 March 2008 (22:01) |
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| That's true. I agree with "peacemaker". It's too easy to post an article on a web without any justification. You all know that. Let's say, I will launch a website telling that most christians in Myanmar are converting to buddhism. I will try to compose my article by using a lot of facts to make people believe. Will you believe that? Yes, you will because it appears on the web, which is designed professionally. And people will start fighting in the forum and say bad words. Who is the winner? I am. Not you because I am successful in fooling you. So what.....Forget abut this article...such a groundless information. don't spoil your mood with is nonsense.... have a good day....!!! |
| Moose |
Friday, 28 March 2008 (19:22) |
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| With 6 million Muslims converting to belief in Jesus Christ every year, per Al Jazeera TV, it isn't a stretch of one's imagination to believe 4,700 Buddhists would get smart and follow suit. Jesus is appearing to people all over the world right now to wake them up to the fact that He is "The Way, The Truth & The Life." He is our Creator -- He is God! Only He could do something this wonderful!! |
| Zaw |
Wednesday, 02 April 2008 (20:55) |
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| hi Moose, We respect your opinion. But, this is not the right place and time to demonstrate your faith. don't mislead the concept by promoting your view. I agree that you have your right to speak, by it's better to be responsible. Let's don't fall into the trap of the Military Government spies... |
| ahphah |
Tuesday, 29 April 2008 (13:53) |
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| Let me say the truth what I know. This news get some one from one conference and explore it. Actually the really source say because of his ministry, over 4046 people converted from Buddhist during 2005 March to 2007 December 21 but he did not say all are Monks. And he say only 16 Monks believed Jesus. This is what I know. But iI want to talk to one who explore this news, it is not good you make people mistake and fight each other. News must be true and if not sure do not explore it. You may can get offering or supporting but you will not get blessing. |
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