Yo, sit back and let me inform ya a story bout Probably the most wild and respected dudes while in the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u hardly ever heard about him, u likely livin underneath a rock from the Kayin Point out or sumthin. This guy was additional than just a monk in the saffron robe; he was just like a power of mother nature, an actual-everyday living legend who altered the whole vibe of your borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the center and soul on the Myaing Gyi Ngu region. Born in the late 40s, I believe, but honestly, his age didnt make a difference lead to he had that aged-soul Power from the start. He wasnt about that fancy city daily life in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle male. He loved the mountains, the trees, and buildin points. And After i say buildin, I suggest buildin. He had this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—An additional pagoda. White ones, gold ones, huge types, small kinds. It had been like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. Folks say he designed hundreds. Can u imagine? Most of us cant even complete a LEGO established, which monk is out listed here constructin monuments in the middle of a war zone.
Speaking of war, thats where by issues get real messy and true appealing. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin in a very temple chanting all day long. He was deep during the politics on the Karen individuals. Back in the 90s, matters were heated involving the KNU here along with the gov. Thuzana, he chose to split and shaped the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. Now, a monk leadin a military Seems ridiculous, correct? Like, entirely versus The principles. But for his followers, he was protectin the faith. He manufactured his troopers halt eatin meat. Yeah, a whole army of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore willpower. He wished a "pure" land wherever individuals lived via the Dhamma, or at the least his Variation of it.
But hey, dont Feel he was just some armed service person. His followers, man, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They known as him "Sayadaw," which implies Excellent Trainer, and they intended it. He had this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see Many people today livin there in order to be around him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It was like somewhat utopia he carved out of your chaos. Even when the surface globe was lookin at him sideways explanation for the conflict, to the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I keep in mind hearin tales bout how he’d just walk into unsafe sites and no-one would touch him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) ability, Or even individuals were being just petrified of his spiritual mojo. He passed absent in 2018 in a very hospital in Bangkok, and person, the funeral was substantial. Like, A huge number of individuals cryin, monks everywhere you go, a real unfortunate day for the Burmese Buddhist Neighborhood. Even now, his legacy is just about everywhere. U see his face on posters in little tea shops or stickers on trucks drivin with the mud in Kayin Point out.
He was a complex dude, of course. Some individuals say he was a peacemaker, some say he brought on far more problems. But u cant deny his effect. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to develop it on this planet, a person brick and a person vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his lifestyle his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, much like the jungle he referred to as house. Regard to the old male, U Thuzana. He was really among A form, a real OG with the Theravāda tradition.