Posted on January 4, 2018
Over the years, I've noted several patriotic holidays in this Southeast Asian country (here, here, and here). But today is the holiday that matters most to many nations - it's the anniversary of Myanmar's independence from Britain!
As did many other nations breaking away from European powers, Myanmar went through several steps toward self-
rule and ended up gaining full independence after World War II (on this date in 1948). Unlike most former British colonies, Myanmar did not become a member of the British Commonwealth.
rule and ended up gaining full independence after World War II (on this date in 1948). Unlike most former British colonies, Myanmar did not become a member of the British Commonwealth.
I read that the members of the Commonwealth have no legal power over one another, nor any legal obligation to each other. Instead, the Commonwealth is united through history, language, and values of human rights and democracy.
Man, Myanmar could use some shared values of human rights and democracy! Since a few months ago (September, 2017), hundreds of thousands of Muslims have fled their homes in order to escape fighting and genocide!
Genocide is the killing of a group of people, and in this case it seems that more than 6,000 Burmese Muslims in a group called Rohingya have been killed - just for being Rohingya! (Myanmar claims that the number of deaths is more like 400.)
It is always strange to see a Buddhist majority using violence against a minority group. Such actions seem to me to be against every aspect of Buddhism. Sigh!
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