Residents barred from listening to Dhamma (Buddhist teaching) in Mandalay

Traditionally residents in the city observe 'Buddha day' in the town quarter in rotation during the three months of Buddhist lent.Sayardaw Ashin U Kawthala, the famous monk in Mandalay was to speak on Buddha's teachings.

"Yesterday we were not allowed to attend the teachings to honour Buddha.  People in the town are terribly upset and unhappy because they were not permitted to listen to Buddha's teachings," a resident said.

The authorities restricted to people's movement to monasteries yesterday
due to a statement by an underground monk association, Sangha Thanmaggi that they will protest.

However there was no protest by monks yesterday. But some monks traveled around the city in cars at about 10 p.m. last night, eyewitness said.

A rumour spread that the monks would stage a protest on September 17 if the government does not apologize to the monks for its actions on them in Pakokku.