Burmese monks are known to have played an important role in their
nation's politics throughout its history. While they did not partake
in mundane political processes, they traditionally held positions of
moral authority, and dispensed wisdom and guidance to past kings,
rulers and governments in Burma. On some occasions, emissaries from
the monasteries were dispatched on peace missions to avoid war with
foreign powers.
Buddhist monks gave council to past monarchs, ranging from the first
King Anawrahta of unified Burma in Bagan, to the last King Mindon and
his son King Thibaw, guiding them on how to properly conduct
themselves as responsible rulers. Burmese monks fulfilled their
obligations toward their religion and the people in the past as royal
advisers, and most importantly, as the guardians of sacred rights and
responsibilities of all citizens.
<http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/20418>Link
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Posted By johannes to
<http://www.monochrom.at/english/2009/02/burma-leading-saffron-monks-memoir.htm>monochrom
at 2/02/2009 03:20:00 PM
