Thidagu Sayadaw Dr Nanisara says various Buddhist schools could find common ground at the Summit

Some critics question the choice of Burmese government to hold the Summit in cooperation with the Japanese Nenbutsushu Buddhists.

Thidagu Sayadaw Baddanta Dr. Nanisara answers challeging questions from U Kyaw Zan Tha and U Maung Maung Than of the BBC Burmese Service.

The three-day World Buddhist Summit will be held in the capital city Rangoon on 9th December 2004. The global meeting of Theravada Buddhists is organised once every two years.

The first summit was held in Japan, the second in Thailand and the last one in Phnom Penh in 2002.

Mahayana and Theravada are two schools of Buddhism with the latter regarded as being closer to the teachings of the Buddha.

The military government of Burma plans to invite about 150 delegates from Buddhist organisations in nearly 30 countries.

Is it good for Burma to hold this World Buddhist Summit?

Could it bring benefits to Burma and Buddhism or can this be viewed as a favour to the Burmese military government?

Some of the selected letters..

Hi, I think Buddhism and politics should not be mixed. Buddhism should be above politics as the royalties do in some countries. The Summit should be held in Burma regardless of which government is in place. I praise Thidagu Sayardaw for being able to organise such a great meeting. And well done BBC for being brave to handle this kind of issue.
Yarzar, Singapore

Religion and politics  Yes, Burma can host the summit on buddhism. Any other nation can do that. But we have to make sure that religion should not be used for political purposes.   Min Nanda Thu, Australia

Dear BBC, World Buddhist Summit to be held in Rangoon is a good thing so long as the supporting Sayadaws (e.g.Thidagu Sayadaw etc.) are willing to admit freely and openly to the world that the present military government is widespreadly bribing the Buddhist Sangas by donating luxury items (fobbiden by Buddha to Sangas), such as televisions, video players, satellite dishes, luxury limousines etc. These items should not be used by Buddhist monks who have given up their worldly desires.
Mya Sabae, UK

It is a good news story for every Buddist, but it will be in the intrest of Burmese military government only. The questions asked by U Kyaw Zan Tha and U Maung Maung Than were very terrific and appropriate. But the answers from Thidagu Sayardaw Nanisara were the same as the voice of the military government.
Arakan, Canada

It is very very good for Myanmar to hold this World Buddhist Summit because the Sayadaws who can teach the Buddha's teachings(Dhamma) live and teach all people including foreigners from other countries.
Sai Sai, Rangoon, Burma

Yes, Burma can host the summit on buddhism. Any other nation can do that. But we have to make sure that religion should not be used for political purposes. I want to leave the message for Thidagu Sayadaw that please do not stand on both sides and if people are poor and getting poorer, there will be no food donation for the monks. So I wanna say that for Burmese people, freedom from this military goverment is much better than hosting the summit.
Min Nanda Thu, Melbourne, Australia

Why do people confuse politics with other social spheres? Do the people of Burma not deserve the right of religious freedom? To extend this, should the people suffer because of the military government? Is it ethical to impose punishment on the people rather than the government? "Two wrongs do not make a right." I believe that monks of Burma deserve the right to host the summit.
Aung, Rangoon, Burma

We have no doubt that it will be good for Burma to host the World Buddhist Summit. We, Myanmars, are following the Theravada Buddhism which is the closest to the teachings of Buddha and Myanmar (Burma) should be proud to hold the summit. No one can argue that Myanmar (Burma) is the most developed place of Theravad Buddhism in the world. Therefore, in my view, it is good regarless of political situation inside the country. Do not mix with military government and Buddhism. The people will be happy for such summit whoever is in power.
Maung Yin Chan, Australia

I think it will be very respectable summit. The Buddhist leaders can educate the current Burmese government about Buddhism, peace, democracy, justice and equality among Burmese regardless of their religion such as Buddhism, Islam & Christian etc. Moreover I hope they should discuss how Buddhism respect human rights in basic .
Dr Hussam Michel, Cairo, Egypt

Yes, it is very very good for our country and Burmese Buddhist nation together with military government because we all are not immitation Buddhist under British nation
Nay Myo Tun, Rangoon, Burma

I think Buddhist schools are democratic societies because Buddha always believed in democracy. Lord Buddha praised the democratic system of Mhalla Kingdom. And Buddhist societies are based on value and principle of democracy. Therefore, it is so absurd for the Burma (Myanmar) as the least democratic country in the world to hold the Buddhist Summit.
Thet Naing, Rangoon, Burma

It is so ridiculous to say one of the most superstious rulers in the world is hosting World Buddhist summit. Everybody knows how the top generals of Burma awkwardly conduct religious ceremonies by mixing astrology and superstious things with ritual Buddhist ceremonies. One gossip says Gen Khin Nyint was told by his spritual advisor to step down the basement where the foundation bricks of new pagoda were to laid down, he refused to do so in fear of the word 'stepping down' otherwise means falling down from power. There are many Burmese monks still in prinson for their conscience. The military intelligent accused monks who favored democracy as bad guys merely wearing monk robes and called them bald-head (ka done). I think, for Dr. Nanisara, he just wants to cooperate with miltary government by admitting that everybody tends to serve self-interest so does he. While he is supporting any activity, which is theoratically good, sponsored by military government, he keeps quite on the issues of justice, morality and religious impurity.
Zaw Zaw, USA

There is no doubt that the summit is important to all Buddhist if unity can be built up for further work. However, any kind of international event even the pure religious summit is very difficult to take out completely from the current political situation. Some one will get a huge benefit from the summit for sure. Majority of the Burmese are Buddhist and if the purpose of the religion is to bring about peace among people, the religious duty and the priority is to make a positive contribution toward the reconstruction of the society which comply with the teaching of Buddha. Sadly one has to say, “the wrong place at the wrong time”.
Ta Doe, UK

I believe this plan to hold the World Buddhist Summit in Burma will only benefit the military government. It also means Buddhists from other parts of the world will be influenced by the SPDC as the Buddist monks currently under their control. That's why I strongly disagree to hold this summit in Ragoon under military government. Thanks
Mai Bhone Kyaw, Chiangmai, Thailand