Burma's State Buddhist council lives in authoritarian past

Mizzima, February 20, 2012

As the military prepares to bring Ashin Gambira back into criminal court, it’s time to reexamine the relationship between the State-sanctioned Sangha Council and the military-dominated government of Burma.

Rangoon, Burma -- In the traditional Buddhist Pali language, a single monk is called Puggala, an individual. Two to three monks are called in Sanskrit Gana, a circle of devotees, and four or more monks constitute a Sangha or Samgha. From the time of Buddha, Buddhist monks have always lived in communities of Sangha and will continue to do so for ages to come.

Prominent activist monk faces legal action in Myanmar

Reuters, February 19, 2012

YANGON, Myanmar -- Shin Gambira, a Myanmar monk jailed for his role in protests in 2007 and released in a January amnesty, faces action by the authorities because he has "repeatedly broken Buddhist monks' code of conduct and the law", state newspapers said on Sunday.

Myanmar 'Saffron Revolution' Leader Detained Within Month Of Release

RTTNews, Feb 12, 2012

Yangon, Myanmar -- A high-profile political prisoner released by the Myanmar government last month was taken into custody on Friday, reports said.

Evicted Buddhist Abbot to Leave Monastery Within One Month

By ZARNI MANN, The Irrawaddy, January 19, 2012

Yangon, Myanmar -- Prominent Buddhist monk Ashin Pyinna Thiha, the abbot of the Sardu Pariyatti Monastery, agreed to follow the order of the Maha Nayaka Sangha Council of Rangoon, the official Rangoon council of Buddhist monks, and leave the monastery within one month.

Buddhist Monk Faces Eviction From Burma Monastery

VOA News, December 17, 2011

Rangoon, Burma -- A Buddhist monk in Burma has been ordered out of his monastery after giving a speech at an office of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party.