Buddhist Monk Riot in Burma

~b1RD_m4N~ SG

Do u support the fact that the monks riot against the Burma army regime?

If so, is 'positive' violence acceptable?

An Eternal Now SG

As far as I know, no violence have been inflicted by the monks. It has always been a peaceful protest.

However, dozens or hundreds of monks have been killed in the process by police and soldiers-in-disguise-as-police.

~b1RD_m4N~ SG

As far as I know, no violence have been inflicted by the monks. It has always been a peaceful protest.

However, dozens or hundreds of monks have been killed in the process by police and soldiers-in-disguise-as-police.

I've watched a documentary, where monks stock up weapons in the borderline jungle area to overthrow the government

An Eternal Now SG

I've watched a documentary, where monks stock up weapons in the borderline jungle area to overthrow the government

Monks, by rules of vinaya they have undertaken, are not supposed to handle weapons. Acts of violence will lead to being disrobed.

Are you sure they are monks?

~b1RD_m4N~ SG

Monks, by rules of vinaya they have undertaken, are not supposed to handle weapons. Acts of violence will lead to being disrobed.

Are you sure they are monks?

they had to have their faces censored.

but, what about in those historical days when monks train kung fu with weapons (staff, sticks, swords)?

Herzog_Zwei SG

they had to have their faces censored.

but, what about in those historical days when monks train kung fu with weapons (staff, sticks, swords)?

Go ask Bodhidharma, since the martial arts concepts are concieved by him for making Chinese monks tougher.

An Eternal Now SG

You sure you heard "monks"?

These are the rules of Shaolin... I don't know if it applies to Myanmar monks. Myanmar monks, coming from the Theravada tradition, has a stricter set of rules. In any case, no monks can deal with weapons such as guns. Also, Shaolin monks do not use weapons in actual fighting. Read on and find out.

http://www.taijicommunity.com/OurCommunity/Articles/2003/102003-ShaolinTemple-Part2.html

...It is not surprising that the staff was selected as the core weapon for the Shaolin monks. As Buddhists, the monks were not supposed to have anything to do with weapons, but they could legitimately possess a staff as an aid to walking or a carrying pole. The Brahmajala-sutra (the Sutra of Brahma’s net) is a Mahayana work containing ten major and forty-eight minor rules of discipline and morality. The first rule forbids killing, which would seem to deny any form of martial activity to the monks. However, the Brahmajala-sutra also commands all Buddhists to save all living things from death and suffering. For example, the 16th precept commands all followers of the Buddha to give up their flesh to feed starving tigers, wolves, lions, and hungry ghosts. It was also expected that all devout Buddhists would protect the trinity of the Buddha, Sangha (priesthood), and Dharma (teachings). Protecting Buddhist temples, libraries and priests against bandits, rebels, and invaders would necessitate the use of force, which in the circumstances soon becomes viewed as justified (Cook, p.17). The development of warrior monks was not limited to the Shaolin Temple, Japanese temples also recruited bands of sohei, and Tibetan monasteries had their own bands of warrior monks who maintained order and protected the monasteries from intruders...

http://www.shaolin.com.au/weapon5.html

A sturdy and well constructed pipe had more than just "Stick" value as a non-weapon!

And the Flute was so popular as a hidden or not weapon that there is even a Fatal Flute Form for Kung Fu training!

Shaolin were Buddhists, mainly. This really did not allow them to use weaponry against other living beings; not just against people or anything living, but no items which primary function is to kill living beings! Yet they trained with weapons! How could this be?

Shaolin main aim was to achieve enlightenment, preferably in the current lifetime as Lord Buddha did. This requires prolonged periods of meditation, preferably between 2 to 6 hours daily. Unfortunately, this amount of inactivity can cause the Organs, Circulation and general health to worsen and ultimately collapse. To prevent this, internal Chi (life force/energy) had to be strengthened in order to fill your body's reservoir of postnatal Jing (Life Force)! To be able to do this, three types of exercise were developed, that originally were one; Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Chi Kung.

Yet, as the saying goes, 'the capitol is far away', meaning that safety was always an issue. Even though they were not able to use weapons against others, they trained weaponry to understand it and to be able to counter it bare hand. And that is the major reason for Shaolin Weaponry training.

Although they trained with Weapons, and became very proficient averaging 4 hours of training a day for 20 years or so (which would equal 40 years of training 2 hours each day or 4 hours every other day). yet, to stay fit and to have variety, they developed many interesting aspects of physical training. It is speculated that each Monk would be proficient in 18 weapons (not all the same 18) some specializing further in Projectile, flexible or hidden weapons to be able to recognize and counter these bare handed. But even the best sometimes need some 'tools' and the Shaolin developed non- weapons as these tools.

Some of the more famous of these are;

Monks Lantern
Monks Spade
Walking Staff
Monks Kane

Sash
Bench
Chopsticks
Iron Comb
Flute
Iron Ring
Iron Ruler
Iron Smoking Pipe
Iron Toad
Mandarin Duck Spade
Monk Cudgel
Whip Chain
Rake
Ring Wheel
Scholar's Brush
Pen
Steel Fan
Hoe
Flail
Rope

Chan

Ban Deng
Tie Kuai Zi
Tie Su Zi
Tie Di
Shuo Huan
Tie Chi
Tie Yan Dou
Tie Chan Chu
Yuan Yang Chan
Chan Zhang
Qi Jie Bian
Pa
Lun
Pan Guan Bi
Bi
Tie Shan
Chu Tou

Over the many years, many weapons have been picked up and called Shaolin. But in reality not that would cut, kill or cripple would be used. Everyday items, commonly available or usually around would be favored. In recent years the Bench has come to prominence (in modern day stool, chair or such). Yet, traditionally, everyday items like a Sash, Pen and Chop Sticks could be effectively used as weapons of defence.

So, why the Yin/Yang Symbol for the Weaponry Symbols? because there are two halves to Shaolin Weaponry training, the simple is to Learn to use and be proficient with the weapons; the second to lay the weapon aside and be able to effectively, safely and without causing harm, disarm the weapon wielder and stop them from hurting anyone!