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 never heard of him, u likely livin under a rock during the Kayin State or sumthin. This man was a lot more than just a monk inside a saffron robe; he was like a force of nature, an actual-lifestyle legend who improved The entire vibe in the borderlands.
U Thuzana, he was the center and soul from the Myaing Gyi Ngu place. Born from the late 40s, I do think, but honestly, his age didnt matter result in he experienced that outdated-soul Vitality from the start. He wasnt about that fancy metropolis existence in Yangon. Nah, he was a jungle guy. He beloved the mountains, the trees, and buildin factors. And After i say buildin, I imply buildin. He had this obsession with pagodas. Everywhere he went, BAM—An additional pagoda. White ones, gold ones, major ones, modest kinds. It absolutely was like he was tryin to pin the earth down with holiness. People today say he built hundreds. Can u envision? Many of us cant even finish a LEGO established, which monk is out below constructin monuments in the middle of a war zone.
Speaking of war, thats the place issues get actual messy and genuine interesting. U Thuzana wasnt just sittin in a very temple chanting all day long. He was deep while in the politics from the Karen persons. Back while in the 90s, matters were heated among the KNU plus the gov. Thuzana, he chose to break up and shaped the DKBA—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. Now, a monk leadin an army Appears insane, appropriate? Like, totally from The principles. But for his followers, he was protectin the religion. He designed his troopers prevent eatin meat. Yeah, a complete army of vegetarians! That’s legit some hardcore willpower. He wished a "pure" land in which individuals lived by the Dhamma, or at least his Model of it.
But hey, dont Consider he was just a few armed forces man. His followers, gentleman, they worshipped the ground he walked on. They known as him "Sayadaw," which implies Excellent Trainer, plus they intended it. He had this aura. If u went to Myaing Gyi Ngu, u would see thousands of folks livin there in order to U Thuzana Sayadaw be around him. No booze, no meat, just pure devotion. It absolutely was like a little bit utopia he carved out on the chaos. Even though the skin globe was lookin at him sideways reason behind the conflict, for the locals, he was there daddy, there protector, there saint.
I try to remember hearin stories bout how he’d just walk into dangerous areas and no-one would contact him. He had that "metta" (loving-kindness) electrical power, Or perhaps people today have been just terrified of his spiritual mojo. He passed away in 2018 inside of a healthcare facility in Bangkok, and male, the funeral was enormous. Like, thousands of people cryin, monks everywhere you go, an actual unhappy working day with the Burmese Buddhist Local community. Even now, his legacy is everywhere you go. U see his encounter on posters in small tea stores or stickers on vans drivin in the mud in Kayin Point out.
He was a complex dude, of course. Some people say he was a peacemaker, some say he caused far more trouble. But u cant deny his effects. He wasnt just talkin bout Nirvana; he was tryin to create it on the planet, just one brick and a person vegetarian soldier at any given time. He lived his lifestyle his way, Uncooked and unfiltered, much like the jungle he named dwelling. Respect to your aged guy, U Thuzana. He was genuinely among A sort, a true OG from the Theravāda custom.