"Monk Zero" and Activism in Burma

Today's Washington Post features a story about political activism in Burma (Myanmar) since the May cyclone that killed more than 100,000 people. A "diffuse network of students, militant Buddhist monks, social service workers and leaders of the 1988 uprising" are working against the oppressive junta that rules Burma.

In spite of harassment from police, monks sometimes carry anti-government pamphlets in their alms bowls to give to laypeople who bring them offerings. The large bowls are big enough to hide posts and glue as well.

One monk has come to be known as "Zero" for his ability to organize and vanish without a trace. He is on the run from authorities and moves underground from monastery to monastery to evade capture. He is, unfortunately, talking about obtaining weapons and using them against the junta. "The Buddhist way is lovingkindness," he said. "But we lost. So now we want to fight."

This may be understandable, but it seems to me the most potent weapons the monks have right now are the moral high ground and the world's sympathy. In the long run, these could be more effective weapons against the junta than guns.