Here's an interesting video from Journeyman Pictures.
NOTE: Looks like the producers have disabled embedding so you can't watch the video inline, and my player scripting links don't work, but you can still watch the video at YouTube and skip to the appropriate time marks manually.
There are a few interesting points that you can jump to here using these links (which probably will not work in an RSS reader):
[1:06] - "The best way to remove this evil government is to use force", states Rambo monk.
[3:23] - I fail to see how advocating that the monks stay out of politics is "towing the government line" or having a pro-government stance as the narrator states. The narrator fails to substantiate this claim. "I'm not interested in these protests because it's none of our business", states Abbot U Arthipha. "Monks should keep away from politics". I don't think the narrator understands this position and additionally there seem to be some translation errors in the subtitles. If Ven. U Arthipha is pro-government then it is unsubstantiated by this interview as he doesn't say a single thing in support of the government.
[8:17] - More information about the "Rambo Monk" and some interview questions. The story he mentions about taming the dragon king is recounted here. (I can't seem to find the scriptural source for this story, so please let me know if you know what this is from.) It is worth noting that the dragon king isn't killed but only subdued.
Rewind and watch from the beginning or view the video at YouTube.
Overall I'm disappointed with this video. The producers seem to have no criticism for monks involved in violence, but seem to have plenty of implied criticism for monks who try to stay out of the situation by calling them "pro government." Since when was refusing to participate in a fight considered joining in on one side of the fight? If those monks are pro government then it is unsubstantiated in the video.
Anyway, the situation in Burma is pretty horrible. It's hard for me to criticize anyone who lives there who feels the need to do something to improve it. I think different people are coming to different conclusions about what that something is though and what their role should be.
A transcript of this video is available.
3 comments:
"The producers seem to have no criticism for monks involved in violence, but seem to have plenty of implied criticism for monks who try to stay out of the situation by calling them "pro government."
I think this is becaause so few people really have an understanding of what is and is not appropriate for a monk. This reminds me of why Ajahn Mun called anything outside the "Customs of the Noble Ones" the "Customs of People With Defilements."
Violence and war seem reasonable to those caught in greed, hatred and delusion and Wrong View. "Rambo Monk" is in a tough situation, but unfortunately his comments advocating violence creates a lot of bad karma and can lead a lot of people astray.
The story you want is probably that of Nandopananda, from the Jayamangala Gathas, Stanzas of Victory
with metta,
Visakha
Subduing Nandopananda
One afternoon Anathapindika visited the Jetavana monastery and listened to the Buddha’s discourse. Afterwards, he invited the Buddha and five hundred monks to accept alms food the following day. The Buddha consented by keeping silent.
The next day, when the Buddha surveyed the world before dawn, he realized that Nandopananda, the powerful Naga king, though still hostile, was ripe for conversion.
After daybreak, the Buddha told Venerable Ananda to summon five hundred arahat bhikkhus to accompany him on a visit to Tavatimsa. On their way to Tavatima, the Buddha arranged that they passed directly over Nandopananda, who was reclining on an exquisite couch, under a royal white umbrella. At that time, there was a festival in the naga realm, and
musicians and dancers were entertaining the king. Just as Nandopananda was beginning to enjoy a delicious feast, he looked up and saw the Buddha and the bhikkhus overhead.
“Look at those shavelings.!" he cried. How dare they pass directly over my kingdom and scatter the dust from their feet on our heads!”
He hurried to Mount Sineru, assumed his serpentine shape, and coiled his huge body seven times around the mountain. When he spread his gigantic hood, Tavatimsa was cast into darkness.
“Venerable Sir," Venerable Ratthapala said to the Buddha, "always before, when we passed this way, we could clearly see Mount Sineru, Tavatimsa, and the brilliant banner flying atop Vejayanta, Sakka’s mansion. Today we can see nothing at all. Why is that?”
“Ratthapala," the Buddha replied, "it is because Nandopananda, in his rage, has coiled his body around Mount Sineru and has raised his hood over Tavatimsa, blocking all the light.”
“Shall I tame him?” Venerable Rathapala asked.
"No," the Buddha replied. He also refused to give permission to Venerable Bhaddiya, Venerable Rahula, and several other bhikkhus.
When Venerable Moggallana asked, however, the Buddha replied, “Tame him, Moggallana.”
Venerable Moggallana transformed himself into a gigantic Naga and encircled Nandopananda fourteen times with his coils. Raising his hood above Nandopananda's, he pressed the Naga king against Mount Sineru.
Nandopananda belched smoke, but it did not bother Venerable Moggallana in the slightest. “I too can do that,” he declared, as he belched much more foul smoke, which almost suffocated Nandopananda.
The Naga king spat fire, but it did not bother Venerable Moggallana either. “I too can do that,” he declared, as he spat a much stronger flame, which burned Nandopanda.
“This Naga has crushed me against Mount Sineru, has belched more smoke than I, and has spat a stronger flame," Nandopananda reflected. "He cannot be an ordinary Naga." Aloud he asked, "Sir, who are you?”
“Nanda, I am Moggallana,” the other replied.
“Venerable Sir," Nandopananda begged, "please return to your form as a bhikkhu.”
As soon as he had resumed his normal form, Venerable Moggallana entered Nandopananda's right ear and came out his left ear. Then he entered the left ear and came out the right. Next, he entered the Naga’s right nostril, came out his left nostril, and just as easily did the reverse. When Nandopananda opened his mouth, Venerable Moggallana entered and went into his stomach. As he walked up and down, Nandopananda cried out in distress.
“Moggallana, be careful!" the Buddha cautioned. "This is a powerful Naga.”
“Most Venerable Sir,” Venerable Moggallana replied, “I have fully developed the four kinds of powers. Indeed, Lord, I could tame a hundred, a thousand, or even a hundred thousand Naga kings like Nandopananda, let alone just this one!”
Deeply angered and offended, the Naga king thought, “I didn’t see Moggallana when he entered my mouth, but, when he comes out, I will catch him with my fangs and devour him!” Aloud, he shouted, “Venerable Sir, please come out!”
As soon as Venerable Moggallana had stepped out Nandopananda's mouth, the Naga king sent a gust of poisonous breath from his nostrils.
Venerable Moggallana, however, instantly entered into the fourth jhana (stage of meditative absorption), which protected him so that the blast did not disturb even a single hair on his body. Foreseeing that Nandopananda would attack with his poisonous breath, the Buddha had not allowed anyone except Venerable Moggallana to fight the Naga king, for he knew that only Moggallana could protect himself in this way. Although the other monks had developed all the other extraordinary powers, only Moggallana and the Buddha himself had mastered this crucial maneuver. The others would would have been reduced to cinders.
“It is amazing." Nandopananda gasped, "that this bhikkhu is able to withstand ny poisonous breath! He stands there undisturbed!"
Venerable Moggallana then assumed the form of a huge Garula, the dreaded enemy of the Nagas. Utterly shaken, Nandopananda assumed a human form and fell at Moggallana's feet, saying, “Venerable sir," he cried, "I go to you for refuge.”
“Nanda," Venerable Moggallana replied, "the Buddha himself is here. It is to him you should go for refuge.” and he led the Naga king to where the Buddha was standing.
Nandopananda paid homage to the Blessed One, and said, “Most Venerable Sir, I go to you for refuge.”
After establishing him in the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts, the Buddha blessed him, saying “May you be happy, King of Nagas.”
Having accomplished his mission, the Buddha led the five hundred Arahats to Anathapindika's house.
“Most Venerable Sir, what has delayed you?” Anathapindika asked.
“There was a great contest between Moggallana and Nandopananda.”
“Who won, Most Venerable Sir, and who was defeated?”
“Moggallana won, and the Naga King was defeated. Nandopananda was completely tamed and subdued.”
“Most Venerable Sir," Anathapindika replied, "to celebrate this great victory over Nandopananda, may the Blessed One accept my alms for seven consecutive days. Thus, for one week , Anathapindika paid homage to the Buddha, honored Venerable Moggallana, and provided food for them and the other four hundred and ninety-nine Arahats.
Thank you very much for that Visakha! Hope that you and Ken are doing well. Metta!
Post a Comment