Yo, sit back and let me tell ya a story bout Just about the most wild and revered dudes from the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u by no means heard about him, u possibly livin underneath a rock during the Kayin State or sumthin. This person was additional than just a monk in a saffron robe; he was similar to a drive of mother nature, a true-existence legend who modified The full vibe in the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the heart and soul of the Myaing Gyi Ngu area. Born inside the late 40s, i think, but honestly, his age didnt issue trigger he had that old-soul Strength from the start. He wasnt about that extravagant city existence in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle person. He beloved the mountains, the trees, and buildin factors. And After i say buildin, I signify buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. In all places he went, BAM—another pagoda. White types, gold ones, significant kinds, compact kinds. It was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. Folks say he created hundreds. Can u picture? Most of us cant even finish a LEGO set, and this monk is out right here constructin monuments in the midst of a war zone.
Talking of war, thats exactly where items get authentic messy and real intriguing. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin in a temple chanting all day. He was deep within the politics on the Karen folks. Again from the 90s, issues ended up heated concerning the KNU as well as gov. Thuzana, he made a decision to split and fashioned the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Military. Now, a monk leadin a military Seems ridiculous, suitable? here Like, thoroughly against The principles. But for his followers, he was protectin the faith. He built his troopers end eatin meat. Yeah, a complete army of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore willpower. He needed a "pure" land exactly where people today lived because of the Dhamma, or no less than his Variation of it.
But hey, dont Consider he was just some navy dude. His followers, man, they worshipped the bottom he walked on. They named him "Sayadaw," which means Terrific Teacher, and so they meant it. He had this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see thousands of persons livin there in order to be in close proximity to him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It absolutely was like a little utopia he carved out of your chaos. Although the skin world was lookin at him sideways reason for the conflict, to your locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I remember hearin stories bout how he’d just walk into unsafe spots and nobody would touch him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) power, Or even folks ended up just scared of his spiritual mojo. He handed absent in 2018 in the healthcare facility in Bangkok, and male, the funeral was substantial. Like, 1000s of men and women cryin, monks everywhere, an actual unhappy working day for your Burmese Buddhist Group. Even now, his legacy is just about everywhere. U see his confront on posters in minimal tea shops or stickers on vans drivin with the mud in Kayin State.
He was a complex dude, of course. Lots of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he caused far more difficulties. But u cant deny his effect. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to develop it on this planet, 1 brick and just one vegetarian soldier at any given time. He lived his daily life his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, much like the jungle he named residence. Regard into the aged man, U Thuzana. He was truly one of A form, an actual OG on the Theravāda custom.