Yo, sit down and allow me to explain to ya a Tale bout one of the most wild and respected dudes within the Burmese Theravāda scene. We talkin bout U Thuzana Sayadaw. If u by no means heard of him, u in all probability livin under a rock from the Kayin State or sumthin. This person was far more than just a monk in the saffron robe; he was like a power of mother nature, a real-everyday living legend who adjusted The full vibe on the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the guts and soul in the Myaing Gyi Ngu location. Born from the late 40s, I believe, but honestly, his age didnt make a difference result in he experienced that outdated-soul energy from the start. He wasnt about that extravagant metropolis life in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle man. He cherished the mountains, the trees, and buildin items. And After i say buildin, I imply buildin. He experienced this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere you go he went, BAM—A further pagoda. White kinds, gold kinds, significant kinds, modest types. It absolutely was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. Individuals say he created hundreds. Can u picture? Many of us cant even complete a LEGO established, and this monk is out here constructin monuments in the middle of a war zone.
Talking of war, thats in which points get real messy and true fascinating. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin in the temple chanting all day. He was deep from the politics from the Karen men and women. Again within the 90s, matters had been heated between the KNU plus the gov. Thuzana, he made a decision to break up and formed the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. Now, a monk leadin an army Appears insane, proper? Like, totally towards The foundations. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He built his troopers stop eatin meat. Yeah, an entire Military of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore self-discipline. He wished a "pure" land where by people lived through the Dhamma, or at the very least his Edition of it.
But hey, dont Feel he was just some military male. His followers, gentleman, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They named him "Sayadaw," which implies Good Trainer, and so they meant it. He experienced this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see Countless individuals livin there just to be near him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It was like somewhat utopia he carved out on the chaos. Even when the outside planet was lookin at him sideways explanation for the conflict, on the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I don't forget hearin tales bout how he’d just wander into dangerous areas and nobody would contact him. He experienced that "metta" (loving-kindness) electric power, Or even people today had been just afraid of his spiritual mojo. He passed absent in 2018 inside a medical center in Bangkok, and guy, the funeral was huge. Like, Countless individuals cryin, monks all over the place, an actual unhappy day for your Burmese Buddhist Group. Even now, his legacy is everywhere. U see his facial area on posters in small tea retailers or stickers on trucks drivin throughout the mud in Kayin Condition.
He was a complex dude, needless to say. Some individuals say he was a peacemaker, some say he caused a lot more trouble. But u cant deny his effects. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to create it on this planet, a person brick and a single vegetarian soldier at a time. He lived his daily life his way, raw and unfiltered, just like the jungle he identified as website home. Regard towards the outdated gentleman, U Thuzana. He was genuinely considered one of A sort, an actual OG on the Theravāda custom.