The role of religion in social movements, taking the case study of Burma (Myanmar).

1. RELIGION & SOCIAL
MOVEMENTS
Burmese Uprising

2. • “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart
of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It
is the opium of the people.”
• - Karl Marx (1844)
• But is that really so?

3. Structure of Presentation
• Introduction
• Buddhism
• In Quest of Democracy
• Historical Context
• Monk-led 2007 Protest
• Religion in social movements
• Discussion

4. Crash Course in Buddhism
4 Noble Truths Eightfold Path
 Right View
• Suffering
• Knowledge of Suffering  Right Intention
• Abolishment of Suffering  Right Speech
• Way to Abolishment of  Right Action
Suffering  Right Livelihood
 Right Effort
 Right Mindfullness
 Right Concentration

5. Crash Course Buddhism II
Theravada Buddhism
• Monks have a high social status
• 90% is Buddhist
• Laypeople gain positive karma by donations  economy
of merit (elaborated later)

6. In Quest for Democracy
Sangha the sacred, the institution of Buddhism
Mahasmmata ruler by unanimous content of people
Khattiya ruler of agricultural land
Raja winning affection of people through
observance of the
Dhamma virtue, justice & the law
• Manifesto
• by Aung San Suu Kyi
• Buddhist

7. In Quest for Democracy
• Integrates Buddhist values with democracy & human
rights
• Ten Duties of Kings
• Elected King or Government should adhere to this ten duties;
• constitutes the legitimacy of power;
• i.e. Liberality, morality, self-
sacrifice, integrity, kindness, austerity, non-anger, non-
violence, forbearance & non-opposition to the will of the people
“Traditional values serve both to justify and to
decipher popular expectations of democratic
government”

8. Historical Context
Burma was united as a monarchy in the 11th century, ruled
by devoted Buddhists
• Colonial History
• Anglo-Burmese wars (1824, 1852, 1885)
• Policy of „divide and rule‟
} Introducing divers language systems
} Favor certain (Christian) minorities
Leading to long-lasting ethnic conflict – preventing a Burmese
nationality

9. Historical Context II
• National Independence Movement
• From student strikes (1935) to a revolutionary movement
• Burmese Independence Army during WOII
• Aung San and Independence of Burma (1948)
• Underrepresentation of minorities
• Military Junta (1962)
• One party-system
• Burmese Way to Socialism – nationalization means of
production, centralization economy and no freedom of expression

10. Historical Context III
• 8888 Uprising
• Discontent reaches crisis
proportions
• Democracy Summer
8/8/1988
• Alliances resistance
movements
• National League for
Democracy (NLD)
• State Law and Order
Restoration Council
(SLORC)

11. Historical Context IV
• Multi-party elections (1990)
• House arrest Aung San Suu Kyi
• SLORC refuses to acknowledge victory of the NLD
• Roadmap to democracy

12. 2007 Protests – causes, goals and events
• Spring 2007 – boycott against the oppressive regime
• Protesting the economic hardship
• September 2007 – protesting violence against monks

13. 2007 Protests – causes, goals and events
• 17-27 September 2007
• Big protests in Yangon and Mandalay to end military regime and
economic policy
• 26 & 27 September 2007
• Breaking the hope  crackdown by the military regime

14. 2007 Protest – Why the Monks?
• Moral Authority
• Economy of merit

15. 2007 Protest – Strategy & Tactics
• Boycotting Donations
• From members of military government and their families
• “Pattan nikkujana kamma”
• Is considered as a big disgrace
• Infrastructural Advantage
• Usage of religious sites as safe-houses and rally points
• Established organizational resources
• Religious Practice
• Use of established Buddhist chants/practice to protest
• Religious practice as alternative public sphere

16. 2007 Protest – The Aftermath
• Short-term
• Battle lost  hopes crushed
• Raised consciousness of alternatives
• Long-term
• Making progress
• Elections

17. Religion – Oppressive or Disruptive
• Often sided with oppressive regimes
• Marx saying it is opium might be true, but is very limited
• Paul said: Abide the government as it is God sent
• But then it can be argued Jesus was an activist all his life
• More universal for other religious traditions
• Multiple examples
• Iranian Revolution, PXUSA, Liberation Theology, Nepal, Civil
Rights, Burma

18. Religion – Assets
• Transcedental motivation
• Morals from the absolute
• Rituals and icons bind & give perserverence
• Self-discipline
• Organizational resources
• Trained leaders in organization
• Existing communication
• Shared Identity
• Group forming
• On several levels

19. Religion - Assets
• Social and Geographical composition
• Cuts through more traditional social class demarcation lines
• Geographically dispersed
• Privileged Legitimacy
• Often gained special status through history and beliefs
• Repsected as open space  sanctuary
• Strategy
• More involved in non-violent direct action than secular groups!

20. Discussion – no.1
• Do the Buddhists values promote actions or inaction?
Disruption or Apathy?
• What about other religions?

21. Discussion – no.2
• Do religions promote critical thinking & questioning of
authority?

22. Discussion – no.3
• What motivates you to be an activist or to care about
others/state of the world?
• Are small victories needed to keep us going or is intrinsic moral
righteousness more important?
• “People say of us we do not win, but we stand strong” -PXUSA

23. Discussion – no.4
• What would have happened in 2007 if the robes would
have been blue? And what if it were more lila?

24. Discussion no.5
• Is there a lack of moral lessons in our education system?
• Or do we still get these lessons even though the church attendance
is in decline? Or where to get/are we supposed to get this moral
framework?
• Buddhists values instilled through education system?