For centuries Burma has been the primary refuge for the teachings of Theravada Buddhism. The Burmese people have cherished the dharma, kept the ancient traditions alive, and preserved the essential Theravada meditation techniques which we now practice in the West. In fact, most of the Western dharma students who practice vipassana, whether it be in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw or U Ba Khin, can trace their dharma heritage back to Burma.

According to most accounts, the Burmese people are now suffering severe political repression, human rights violations, and extreme economic deprivation under a vicious military regime. Following are reports on the situation from Paula Green of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and from vipassana teacher Alan Clements.

Here are links:

Journey into Terror, by Alan Clements

Update on Human Rights in Burma (Myanmar), by Paula Green

∞

From the Spring 1991 issue of Inquiring Mind (Vol. 7, No. 2)