Yo, sit down and allow me to convey to ya a story bout Just about 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 in all probability livin less than a rock within the Kayin Condition or sumthin. This guy was additional than just a monk within a saffron robe; he was similar to a pressure of character, a true-daily life legend who improved the whole vibe from the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the guts and soul in the Myaing Gyi Ngu region. Born inside the late 40s, i think, but Actually, his age didnt issue induce he experienced that previous-soul Power from the beginning. He wasnt about that fancy town existence in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle male. He beloved the mountains, the trees, and buildin factors. And when I say buildin, I indicate buildin. He had this obsession with pagodas. In all places he went, BAM—Yet another pagoda. White ones, gold types, major kinds, smaller types. It was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. Folks say he developed hundreds. Can u consider? The majority of us cant even finish a LEGO established, and this monk is out right here constructin monuments in the course of a war zone.
Talking of war, thats exactly where matters get serious messy and authentic fascinating. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin inside of a temple chanting all day. He was deep within the politics from the Karen individuals. Back while in the 90s, matters were heated amongst the KNU and the gov. Thuzana, he chose to break up and formed the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Military. Now, a monk leadin an army sounds insane, appropriate? Like, totally towards The principles. But for his followers, he was protectin the faith. He produced his soldiers end eatin meat. Yeah, a complete Military of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore self-discipline. He desired a "pure" land the place persons lived by the Dhamma, or a minimum of his Variation of it.
But hey, dont Feel he was just a few army guy. His followers, male, they worshipped the bottom he walked on. They identified as him "Sayadaw," which suggests Good Trainer, and so they meant it. He experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see A huge number of people livin there simply to be close to him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It absolutely was like somewhat utopia he carved out of the chaos. Whether or not the surface planet was lookin at him sideways reason behind the conflict, to your locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I bear in mind hearin stories bout how he’d just wander into harmful spots and nobody would touch him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) electricity, Or perhaps people had been just terrified of his spiritual mojo. He passed absent in 2018 inside of a medical center in Bangkok, and gentleman, the funeral was big. Like, Countless individuals cryin, monks almost everywhere, an actual sad working day for the Burmese Buddhist Neighborhood. Even now, his legacy is almost get more info everywhere. U see his experience on posters in tiny tea stores or stickers on vans drivin through the mud in Kayin Point out.
He was a complex dude, needless to say. Many people say he was a peacemaker, some say he brought about extra issues. But u cant deny his influence. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to build it on earth, just one brick and just one vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his existence his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, much like the jungle he called dwelling. Regard to the old male, U Thuzana. He was genuinely among A form, a real OG with the Theravāda custom.