It was after Ashin Nyar Na, 77, had ordained as a monk about 40 years ago and studied the three books of Buddhist teachings known as the Tipitika that be began to have doubts about his beliefs. They were a radical departure from the Theravada Buddhism that predominates in Myanmar and have cost him dearly in terms of freedom.
When he was released from Myitkyina jail under presidential amnesty in January he had spent almost 16 behind bars. It was his third prison sentence. A comment on social media said his jail terms stand as a powerful symbol of the state of religious freedom in Myanmar.
The unorthodox monk who has been prepared to spend 16 years in prison for his beliefs lives in a simple concrete building at his threadbare monastery in a rubber plantation on the bank of the Zalathaw Dam near Bago, a three hour drive from downtown Yangon.
He is constantly watched by government agents. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
April 25, 2016
ANP demands Rakhine ceasefire
The Arakan National Party (ANP) is urging the Rakhine State government to cooperate with Nay Pyi Taw to stop conflict raging in the state.
A statement said the ANP always wanted national reconciliation and to end civil war, while protecting the Rakhine people.
It expressed worries about fighting with the Arakan Army (AA), the rising numbers of refugees and the need for food, accommodation and health care.
The fighting hindered national reconciliation, weakened the rule of law and stability under the new government.
The National League for Democracy administration should take full responsibility not to allow the use of civilians as hostages and porters by the military, not to displace villagers and to protect civilians from losing their lives and property, the statement said. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
A statement said the ANP always wanted national reconciliation and to end civil war, while protecting the Rakhine people.
It expressed worries about fighting with the Arakan Army (AA), the rising numbers of refugees and the need for food, accommodation and health care.
The fighting hindered national reconciliation, weakened the rule of law and stability under the new government.
The National League for Democracy administration should take full responsibility not to allow the use of civilians as hostages and porters by the military, not to displace villagers and to protect civilians from losing their lives and property, the statement said. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Eight Killed As Golf Ball Hailstones, Storms Lash Myanmar
Violent storms which saw hailstones the size of golf balls rain down across Myanmar have killed at least eight people in recent days, toppled pagodas and damaged thousands of buildings, officials said today according to Channel News Asia.
The freak storms struck across five states on Friday and Saturday after weeks of heatwave temperatures regularly topping 40C (104F).
The Global New Light of Myanmar said more than 1,700 pagodas were damaged by gale force winds in the southern state of Shan on Friday night many of them belonging to a building complex build in the XVI century . (Courtesy of plenglish.com)
The freak storms struck across five states on Friday and Saturday after weeks of heatwave temperatures regularly topping 40C (104F).
The Global New Light of Myanmar said more than 1,700 pagodas were damaged by gale force winds in the southern state of Shan on Friday night many of them belonging to a building complex build in the XVI century . (Courtesy of plenglish.com)
Dos and don’ts for FM Aung San Suu Kyi
For the first time in its history, there will be a Nobel Peace laureate and the world’s most famous political icon in the family of the Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM), which serves as the Asean annual meeting. Myanmar’s new Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi needs to know a few things about the organisation, with which she has had a dreadful relationship in the past.
Last Friday, she met with Asean diplomats to ensure the importance of Asean-Myanmar relations as a precursor to her numerous Asean-related meetings in the next four years. After all, each year, Asean holds nearly 1,000 meetings in its headquarters in Jakarta and in member capitals.
First of all, Suu Kyi must be humble. For her entire life since 1990 she has been at the centre of global attention and media headlines related to democratic development and inspiration in Myanmar and beyond. As a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, she has received worldwide recognition that no other Asean minister has ever attained. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Last Friday, she met with Asean diplomats to ensure the importance of Asean-Myanmar relations as a precursor to her numerous Asean-related meetings in the next four years. After all, each year, Asean holds nearly 1,000 meetings in its headquarters in Jakarta and in member capitals.
First of all, Suu Kyi must be humble. For her entire life since 1990 she has been at the centre of global attention and media headlines related to democratic development and inspiration in Myanmar and beyond. As a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, she has received worldwide recognition that no other Asean minister has ever attained. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Myanmar jailed 18 years for killing man
A 33-year-old Myanmar national has been jailed for 18 years by the High Court after he admitted to causing the death of his countryman, whose body parts were found in three plastic bags dumped along a highway.
Myo Myint, who has been living in Malaysia since 2007, had earlier been charged with murdering Rohingya refugee Thet Lwin between 9pm on July 29 and 11.20am on Aug 1, 2014, in Kampung Sri Paya, Kelapa Sawit, Kulai.
The offence carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
Myo Myint, who has been living in Malaysia since 2007, had earlier been charged with murdering Rohingya refugee Thet Lwin between 9pm on July 29 and 11.20am on Aug 1, 2014, in Kampung Sri Paya, Kelapa Sawit, Kulai.
The offence carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
Chinese Modernization Comes to an Isolated People
The narrow valley is one of the most remote and pristine in China. Monkeys, Asian black bears and the rare goatlike takin roam through rain-soaked forests above a river the color of jade. In spring, hillsides are splashed with pink rhododendron blossoms. Until two years ago, snowfall on a mountain pass blocked vehicle access for many months each year.
Now, in this sliver of land on the eastern rim of the Himalayas, the government is building new roads, expanding telecommunications and encouraging commercial ventures to alleviate poverty. Li Yingchun, who used to hike five days over a snowcapped mountain range from a village here to attend a boarding school, said a new paved road that runs through a seven-kilometer tunnel slicing into the mountains had made life easier. (Courtesy of The New York Times)
Now, in this sliver of land on the eastern rim of the Himalayas, the government is building new roads, expanding telecommunications and encouraging commercial ventures to alleviate poverty. Li Yingchun, who used to hike five days over a snowcapped mountain range from a village here to attend a boarding school, said a new paved road that runs through a seven-kilometer tunnel slicing into the mountains had made life easier. (Courtesy of The New York Times)
Zhulian targets Indochina markets for growth
Multilevel marketing (MLM) company Zhulian Corp Bhd has been expanding into markets such as Myanmar, which already contributed close to 10% of its total revenue.
Zhulian is also looking to enter other countries in Indochina as the management sees great potential in these markets.
“We are in the process of expanding into other Indochina countries, namely Laos and Cambodia.
“It is a challenging market as direct sales is a fairly new concept in these countries, but we see great potential there as these are emerging economies in Asean,” said Zhulian group managing director Danny Teoh Meng Keat. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
Zhulian is also looking to enter other countries in Indochina as the management sees great potential in these markets.
“We are in the process of expanding into other Indochina countries, namely Laos and Cambodia.
“It is a challenging market as direct sales is a fairly new concept in these countries, but we see great potential there as these are emerging economies in Asean,” said Zhulian group managing director Danny Teoh Meng Keat. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
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