Yo, sit back and let me inform ya a story bout One of the more wild and respected dudes in the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u under no circumstances heard of him, u likely livin below a rock from the Kayin Point out or sumthin. This dude was much more than simply a monk in a saffron robe; he was just like a power of mother nature, an actual-daily life legend who modified The full vibe from the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the heart and soul with the Myaing Gyi Ngu area. Born within the late 40s, I believe, but honestly, his age didnt make a difference cause he had that previous-soul Power from the beginning. He wasnt about that extravagant city everyday living in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle male. He loved the mountains, the trees, and buildin matters. And Once i say buildin, I signify buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—Yet another pagoda. White ones, gold types, major types, tiny types. It was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. People say he constructed hundreds. Can u imagine? The majority of us cant even complete a LEGO established, and this monk is out listed here constructin monuments in the course of a war zone.
Speaking of war, thats exactly where factors get true messy and genuine exciting. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin inside a temple chanting all day long. He was deep in the politics from the Karen folks. Back in the 90s, issues have been heated in between the KNU along with the gov. Thuzana, he decided to break up and formed the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. Now, a monk leadin a military Seems ridiculous, ideal? Like, absolutely in opposition to The principles. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He manufactured his troopers prevent eatin meat. Yeah, a whole army of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore self-control. He wished a "pure" land exactly where folks lived via the Dhamma, or at the least his Model of it.
But hey, dont Feel he was just some armed service dude. His followers, guy, they worshipped the bottom he walked on. They called him "Sayadaw," which suggests Good Trainer, they usually meant it. He had this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see 1000s of individuals livin there simply to be close to him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It absolutely was like somewhat utopia he carved out on the chaos. Even though the outside world was lookin at him sideways explanation for the conflict, towards the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I bear in mind hearin tales bout how he’d just walk into hazardous areas and no-one would touch him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) ability, or maybe individuals have been just frightened of his spiritual click here mojo. He handed away in 2018 inside a hospital in Bangkok, and guy, the funeral was massive. Like, 1000s of men and women cryin, monks everywhere you go, an actual unfortunate working day for the Burmese Buddhist community. Even now, his legacy is all over the place. U see his face on posters in minimal tea outlets or stickers on vehicles drivin throughout the mud in Kayin State.
He was a posh dude, obviously. A number of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he induced much more trouble. But u cant deny his effects. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to create it on the planet, just one brick and 1 vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his lifestyle his way, raw and unfiltered, much like the jungle he known as house. Regard on the outdated guy, U Thuzana. He was truly among A form, a true OG of your Theravāda tradition.