Thai Buddha images forbidden from public display

Thai Buddha images forbidden from public display

Thai monks of Shan descendents who recently returned form Monghsat District, opposite Chiangmai and Chiangrai provinces, told S.H.A.N. Buddha images of Thai styles have been ordered to be kept out for public view by the Burmese authorities since last month.

The monks said all the Buddha statues, big or small, old or new alike, residing in all the temples had to be put away. "What upset the local people the most was the removal of the 5 cubit (7? feet) tall Sitting Buddha from Mae-sawn Temple within Monghsat's city limits itself," said a monk. "It is now dwelling at the abbot's abode.""This single act symbolizes the hatred the Burmese feel against the Thais," said another monk. "The lord Buddha had always counselled against hatred, but it seems many of us so-called Buddhists are only Buddhists outwardly."

"At least, they have yet to order them destroyed like the Talebans did," he said, smiling benevolently.

The Muslim fundamentalist Taleban authorities of Afghanistan demolished the two 5th century giant Buddha statues last month.