Chased From Streets, Myanmar Monks Get Out Message on Video

Source: Agence France-Presse via Yahoo News

Unable to speak directly to their followers in public, two senior monks – Ashin Nyanissara and Ashin Kawvida -- have recorded their sermons on a video disc titled "The end of sinful people".

In the sermon, they discuss the legend of a ruthless emperor who violated the teachings of the Lord Buddha, which resulted in him, and his followers, being sent to hell.

Ashin Nyanissara is a founder of the respected Sagaing Thitagu World Buddha University in northern Myanmar, which is popular among foreigners who come to Myanmar, the former Burma, to study the religion.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071205/lf_afp/myanmarpoliticsmediareligion_071205031130

Note from FP:

1.       There are 3 sermons in total including the one mentioned in the article, all using religious legends analogous to the current state of affairs. In one of the sermons, Ashin Nyanissara speaks about a group of monkeys who, lacking intelligence, end up destroying a beautiful garden they are taking care of.

2.       Nik Nayman reported on his blog that the punishment for possessing these ‘illgal’ recordings is 6 years imprisonment.

3.       In Singapore, the sermons can be purchased at Peninsula Plaza. Each VCD costs SGD 3.00.