Friday, April 11, 2014

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

The way to peace: Practise what The Buddha preaches

Posted: 11 Apr 2014 04:14 AM PDT

The 16th of April is regarded as the New Year for most of the people of Burma who are Buddhists, although Buddhist scriptures have not mentioned April as New Year. Indeed, for real Buddhists, the New Year begins with the end of the Full Moon Day of the Kasone (The 6th Lunar Month for Shans) that falls either in May or June, when the Buddha passed away into Nirvana.

The event epitomizes, one may say, the time-honored weird custom of the Buddhists of Burma to revere somebody without observing his/her teachings.

The Buddha has taught that one has three duties:
  • To strive for one's own enlightenment
  • To strive for the good of one's community
  • To strive for the good of the world
At the same time, He has indeed maintained that supporting one's community as one of the highest blessings.

But ever upholding the Middle Way, he has never said one should only love one's community and hate others. On the contrary, He has urged His disciples 'Just as a mother would protect her only child even at the risk of her own life, even so let one cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings.' (From What The Buddha Taught, by Walpola Rahula)
He had also warned them not to form excessive attachment to one's own community.

However, while most of the people of Burma are proud of being Buddhists, few of them can claim to be following in His footsteps. That is, one may say, one of the reasons why the country has being at war with itself for the past 66 years. One may even say that is the fruit of being a nation of hypocrites.
Water Festival (Potrait: U Ba Kyi)

The answer therefore is simple: Let us all listen and follow His teachings of loving-kindness starting with our leaders:
  • Reduce our extremist nationalism
  • Love all the people of Burma, whether they be Bamars or non-Burmars, Buddhist and non-Buddhist
Then we are sure to witness a peaceful and prosperous nation that rises out of turmoil just as a lotus rises out of a marshland before long.
A Happy Burmese New Year!

Shan village signpost demolished by unknown assailants

Posted: 11 Apr 2014 04:13 AM PDT

CHIANG MAI-April 11. A Shan village signpost in Nawng Khio, northern Shan State, was demolished by unknown assailants on April 9, to the anger of some Shan cyber-users.
Nawnglong village signpost before it was demolished. (Photo: Loi Kham) 

"The signpost was quite big, so it could not have been destroyed by cows or buffalos. It was done by some assailants," commented Sai Htwe on facebook.

Sai Zin Min Aye said: "Whoever destroyed the signpost should be arrested, as it violates the constitution, which is aimed to consolidate national unity."

Sai Hla Kyaw said: "They (the Burmese military authorities which demolished the Keng Tung palace in 1990) destroyed our Shan palace; it is not enough for them. Now, they have even destroyed our village signpost."

The signpost was for the village of Naunglong village, in Nawng Khio township, north of Mandalay, in northern Shan State.
Nawnglong village signpost after it was demolished by unknown assailants. (Photo: Loi Kham) 

The signpost which was destroyed was written in Shan, as Nawnglong village on the top and in Burmese as Inn Ma village at the bottom.

The signpost was built by the Shan Literature and Culture Association-Nawng Khio.
Most of the signposts of villages and township in Shan State have their names written and designed in Burmese, which does not represent the local language and style.
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