Yo, sit down and allow me to inform ya a story bout Among the most wild and revered dudes inside the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u in no way heard about him, u almost certainly livin beneath a rock while in the Kayin State or sumthin. This male was a lot more than simply a monk in a saffron robe; he was just like a power of character, a real-daily life legend who improved The full vibe in the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the guts and soul in the Myaing Gyi Ngu region. Born in the late 40s, I believe, but Truthfully, his age didnt issue trigger he experienced that outdated-soul Power from the start. He wasnt about that fancy city existence in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle man. He beloved the mountains, the trees, and buildin issues. And After i say buildin, I indicate buildin. He had this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—another pagoda. White kinds, gold types, major types, small kinds. It had been like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. People today say he developed hundreds. Can u envision? Many of us cant even finish a LEGO set, and this monk is out right here constructin monuments in the midst of a war zone.
Speaking of war, thats wherever points get real messy and genuine exciting. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin inside a temple chanting all day. He was deep while in the politics of your Karen people. Again from the 90s, matters have been heated between the KNU plus the gov. Thuzana, he decided to split and fashioned the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. Now, a monk leadin an army Seems ridiculous, right? Like, absolutely in opposition to The principles. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He created his soldiers end eatin meat. Yeah, a complete Military of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore self-control. He desired a "pure" land where folks lived with the Dhamma, or a minimum of his Model of it.
But hey, dont Consider he was just a few military services man. His followers, man, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They called him "Sayadaw," which means Wonderful Trainer, plus they meant it. He experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see thousands of people livin there only to be in the vicinity of him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It had been like a little utopia he carved U Thuzana Sayadaw out of the chaos. Regardless of whether the skin environment was lookin at him sideways cause of the conflict, towards the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I keep in mind hearin tales bout how he’d just walk into dangerous destinations and no-one would contact him. He experienced that "metta" (loving-kindness) electric power, Or possibly people today were being just terrified of his spiritual mojo. He passed away in 2018 inside a clinic in Bangkok, and gentleman, the funeral was substantial. Like, A large number of persons cryin, monks in all places, a true unhappy working day for that Burmese Buddhist community. Even now, his legacy is just about everywhere. U see his encounter on posters in minimal tea stores or stickers on vehicles drivin throughout the mud in Kayin Point out.
He was a posh dude, obviously. A number of people say he was a peacemaker, some say he brought on more hassle. But u cant deny his affect. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to make it on this planet, a single brick and just one vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his everyday living his way, raw and unfiltered, much like the jungle he identified as dwelling. Respect to your aged person, U Thuzana. He was certainly one among A sort, an actual OG of the Theravāda tradition.