Yo, sit back and let me inform ya a story bout Probably the most wild and revered dudes during the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u never heard about him, u likely livin beneath a rock within the Kayin State or sumthin. This male was far more than simply a monk inside a saffron robe; he was similar to a force of mother nature, a true-daily life legend who changed The entire vibe from the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the center and soul of the Myaing Gyi Ngu spot. Born within the late 40s, I feel, but Truthfully, his age didnt make a difference cause he experienced that old-soul Strength from the beginning. He wasnt about that extravagant metropolis everyday living in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle man. He loved the mountains, the trees, and buildin points. And After i say buildin, I indicate buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. Just about everywhere he went, BAM—Yet another pagoda. White ones, gold ones, big types, tiny ones. It absolutely was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. People today say he crafted hundreds. Can u visualize? Many of us cant even finish a LEGO established, which monk is out here constructin monuments in the middle of a war zone.
Speaking of war, thats exactly where factors get authentic messy and true intriguing. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin within a temple chanting all day. He was deep during the politics from the Karen folks. Back again during the 90s, things have been heated between the KNU as well as the gov. Thuzana, he decided to split and shaped the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Military. Now, a monk leadin an army sounds nuts, proper? Like, absolutely against The principles. But for his followers, he was protectin the faith. He designed his troopers stop eatin meat. Yeah, an entire Military of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore self-control. He wanted a "pure" land where by people lived because of the Dhamma, or at the least his version of it.
But hey, dont Feel he was just a few military services male. His followers, man, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They known as him "Sayadaw," which means Wonderful Trainer, they usually meant it. He experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see Many 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. Whether or not the surface planet was lookin at him sideways reason behind the conflict, to the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I try to remember hearin stories bout how he’d just wander into risky spots and nobody would contact him. He experienced that "metta" (loving-kindness) electricity, Or perhaps individuals ended up just scared of his spiritual mojo. He handed absent in 2018 inside of a medical center in Bangkok, and person, the funeral was substantial. Like, here Many people today cryin, monks everywhere, an actual unfortunate working day for the Burmese Buddhist Local community. Even now, his legacy is all over the place. U see his facial area on posters in minor tea outlets or stickers on vehicles drivin from the mud in Kayin State.
He was a complex dude, of course. A lot of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he caused much more hassle. But u cant deny his effects. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to create it on earth, one brick and just one vegetarian soldier at any given time. He lived his everyday living his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, much like the jungle he termed household. Respect to your aged man, U Thuzana. He was truly considered one of A sort, an actual OG in the Theravāda tradition.