Buddhism is the religion of the majority of the Burmese

Buddhism is the religion of the majority of the Burmese and the leading cultural institution in Burma.

And, the Burmese regime has widely built pagodas, monastries and held religious ceremonies since it took power in 1988.

However, there are some speculations that the military government is using the religion as a tool to sustain its political power.

At the same time, some believe that the government deeply reveres in Buddhism and promoting it?

It is open to all listeners to comment their views on the BBC platform.

The programme took place on 24 September 2008.

The followings reflect the opinions received so far...

If the Burmese regime is using religion as a tool to sustain its political power, then the regime is exactly following the steps of the West, particularly of the America's. It is something pro-democracy groups should be proud of.
Tide, Canada

Religious oppression happens in Burma. This is against the Pang Long agreement which is the cornerstone of founding the Union of Burma. Religion must be left alone to individual citizen. Government has no right to imposed or interfere in religious issue. The monks, the pastors, the imams and religious leaders know how to run their religions, not Gen. Than Shwe and his fellow killers.
Salai Liandang, Hakha, Myanmar

Therefore, they cannot be sincere Buddhists but just pure pretenders!   Kay Myat, Yangon, Myanmar

Everyone knows the colour of Gen. Than Shwe and his stooges that they do not belong to Buddhism or Christianity. They are satanic people who bring bad things to others. Therefore, we should not let them steal our faith and our religions.
Tainamkawng, USA

Despite the Leaders of SPDC said that there is right and religion freedom in Burma but the religion like Christian, Hindu and Muslim do not get right, freedom as Buddhist. It is very hard to become an officer for Muslim, Christian and Hindu so on in Burma. The Military leaders built pagodas, monasteries all over Burma and offered materials, donations and promoted some monks is just only to get favour from Monks. It can not be said they are pious leaders by building pagodas, monasteries and offering materials to Monks. There is discrimination between Buddhism and other religions in Burma. For instance (1) SPDC Leaders destroyed Cross in Matupe, Chin State in 2005 (2) They confiscated plot of land own by Christian in Mandalay, street 35, between streets 71 and 69 in 1994. It is unbearable and unforgettable in life. They know that if they are convenient with the monks, they can control other religions. So they have been used many ways to persuade monks since 1988.
Stephen Khie Lei, Sweden

Religious faith suffers too much under this evil military dictatorial government. The monks don't even have the rights to rebuke the generals when the military government is behaving against Buddhist teaching. Therefore, soldiers must be kept off from Buddhist temples and churches.
Van Mualcin, USA

It is something pro-democracy groups should be proud of.   Tide, Canada

If you see the long course of history of Burma, religion and politics have come together up to now. In Bagan period, they developed together helping and supporting each other. Nevertheless, the rulers of the country used relation later as a tool for their power of state. They used it to persuade people and to make them believe as a ruler who follow and practice the teaching of the Buddha. It means they are pious persons with kindness, compassion, loving kindness, which are the heart teaching of the Buddha. The Sayadaws, the spiritual advisers of the rulers, also could not give advise to them for they knew that these rulers have no sincere desire to follow their advises and to practice according to the religion. As a result the religion has simply become tool just for show. They are doing what they like, righteous or not under the cover of religion without taking considering anything for the people. Therefore, they cannot be sincere Buddhists but just pure pretenders!
Kay Myat, Yangon, Myanmar

Faith and religion must be personal. No one should impose a religion neither to another person nor to a group of people. Mission work is different from imposing. U Nu's attempt to make Buddhism as state religion was one of the root causes which triggered distrust between the majority Buddhists and minority Christians in the Union of Burma. The current military dictatorship also practices religious monopoly. Christian movement has been restricted and even the Bible cannot be printed in Burma as much as needed. The generals try to appease the majority Buddhists by favouring Buddhism while accusing Christians as followers of white people. Actually, no prophet or god was born in Burma. This is an ugly way of SPDC's unwritten divide and rule policy.
Zam Mang, USA