Ven.

Ashin Kawwida Open Letter to His Holiness Dalai Lama

over wrongly condemning english/burmese
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Date: May 9, 2013

Dear His Holiness Dalai Lama

We, Burmese Buddhist Monks, are very sad to read your recent comments about
wrongly condemning fellow peaceful Burmese Buddhist Monks who stood firmly
together with Tibetan Buddhists in fighting against the injustice in Tibet land.
Reference: Dharamsala, HP, India, 22 April 2013, comment to an audience at the
University of Maryland, 7 May 2013.




We think you are misled by some people / groups and one sided media reports
based on fabricated propaganda of extremists and opportunists.

You were absolutely correct in mentioning about what Buddha taught us about
forgiveness, tolerance, compassion.We, as human beings regardless of race &

religion, must denounce any kinds of violence, and promote peaceful solution for any
conflicts.
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Burma is a most diverse multi ethnic country in Asia with 135 indigenous ethnic
groups. Historically Burma is a tolerant country with different faith groups live
peacefully side by side with mutual respect. Over 2,000 years old historic Sule
Pagoda, over century old Christian Church& Mosque are existing side by side in
middle of downtown Rangoon (Burmas largest city) alongside with Rangoon City
Hall. A Hindu Temple is also standing near these historic religious buildings in
downtown Rangoon.

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Recent senseless communal violence in Burma was incited by the enemies of
democratic reform process, opportunists and extremists (domestic and abroad). We
denounce all kinds of violence and encourage building the mutual trust and peaceful
society.

Both Muslims and Buddhists communities suffered casualties and property damages
during senseless violence.

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Last year, violence in Western Burma started with a Buddhist girl was gang raped&
killed by a group of Bengali Muslim men.The Independent Investigation Commission
(consists of human right activists, lawyers, historians and religious leaders including
Islam, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist) reported that total 347 were killed and 411
were injured as reported by both sides. 60% of causalities were Muslims and 40%
were Buddhists. Over 7,700 houses were destroyed (similar ratio as causalities).
Furthermore, 24 Buddhist Monasteries and 32 Mosques were destroyed by mobs in
Western Burma.





Latest violence in Central Burma town of Meikthila started with an argument at Gold
Shop owner & seller and physical assault to Burmese Buddhist couple by Bengali
Muslim owners & staff; later fuelled by a brutal killing of a Buddhist Monk by
Muslim mob inside a mosque.

Please note that although Buddhist monks were among victims of the violence in
central & western Burma, none of Muslim religious leaders were hurt during
communal violence. I am forwarding a few photos from recent incidents for your info
and consideration.

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In fact, leading Burmese Buddhist monks including so called anti-Muslim monk U
Withura and local Burmese Buddhist residents protected Muslims, they even rescued
several hundred Muslims trapped by armed mobs. They brought rescued Muslims to
safety and providing the food & water until today. Some Muslims were even
provided shelters at the Buddhist Monasteries. Buddhist Monks are providing food
and other assistance to latest Muslim victims in Okkan (near Rangoon); some were
sheltered in a Buddhist monastery and protected by Buddhist monks.

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Indigenous Buddhists ethnic people are living in the Western Burma for thousands of
years, unfortunately many were victims at their own home land by invading Bengali
Muslims (similar to Tibetan Buddhists and Chinese Communists in Tibet land). Now,
Bengali Muslims so called Rohingya represents 95% of the population in Western
Burma townships (border with Bangladesh); native Buddhists are now less than 5%
of the total population.


We found that your comments against Burmese Buddhist Monks are incorrect, unfair
and unjust. We are very sad and painful to read those incorrect news and comments
especially from the His Holiness.

We respectfully would like to request you to withdraw your comments on
denouncing the Burmese Buddhist Monks.

Please feel free to contact me if you require additional information.

Respectfully,

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Ven. Ashin Kawwida

President, International Burmese Monks Organization (Canada), Past Vice President
of the International Burmese Monks Organization head quarter in New York
Email: ukwd2004@yahoo.ca
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