Subtle tones of incense softly caress the air. An exuberant brook glides over embracing
stones. Blissful birds circle the sky calling to the universe. And then the meditative quiet is broken by the chant of
a revered leader.
He urges racial
purity, restrictions on intermarriage and mob violence!?!? Wait a minute. Is this a gathering of no-hoods saffron robed
KKK?
No, it’s just your everyday Burmese
radical Buddhists.
Ashin Wirathu
(center) speaks at a clergy gathering
Myanmar banned a recent issue of Time magazine,
featuring a cover story of Wirathu, a Buddhist monk accused of fueling
religious violence. Religious violence /
Buddhist monk...
I’m sorry, that does not compute.
Sandal shod, shaved head monks calling for violence? The cognitive dissonance I’m experiencing
around this issue is more confounding than the ageless question, “What is the
sound of one hand clapping?”
Yes, I guess my stereotypical thinking rears its
bald Buddhist head when it comes to my (formerly) soothingly exotic ideas about
this group. And yes, some of my best
friends ARE Buddhist.
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Spending time with Angela Scott is a cherished
opportunity to breathe a fragrant multi-hued bouquet of comedy. She has worked
with the greats, Cosby, Townsend, Mooney and many more. She’s an encyclopedia of inside humor
history.
Angela Scott can recount endlessly,
tales of comedy world woe and wonder as experienced by the giants and the not
so tall of our industry. She has worked with them all and Dear Reader for her eternally ebullient
personality, she is beloved by each and every one. My pal for decades, since we were fledgling
actors at the original Negro Ensemble Company, when it was ensconced on St. Mark’s Place (a creative outpost) in New York City’s East Village, my friend Angela Scott is a
Buddhist.
Although I’m no longer married to Phil, I am
grateful for the fellowship the loving family of my erstwhile spouse, continues
to extend to me. And by way of extended
family - Phil’s 1st cousin’s 3rd husband – Seth Segall is
my valued friend.
This Existential Buddhist, retired psychologist has an appreciation of music as vast as his
unencumbered embrace of humanity.
Seth
Segall is the least pissed off person I know. One day he lost track of his wallet at a play we attended. I immediately began mentally cursing and
counting the scores of phone calls I’d have to make to thwart the nefarious
scheme of whoever might find MY wallet should it be discovered. All the while Seth remained calm and after
making the inquiries possible at the venue, he went on with our evening with
little more mentioned about his wallet.
So when I read of
anti-Muslim mob violence, fueled by radical Buddhist rhetoric you can
understand that I sit shaking my head.
Rhonda Hansome is an actress, writer, director and stand-up comic. You can see her All July as the Bar Owner in Date Me Do Me Dump Me, a new musical coming to a bar near you.
I suppose every group has their people who "make them look bad."
Exactly - there are always some that try to ruin it for the rest. I like your this does not compute photo!
Exactly - there are always some that try to ruin it for the rest. I like your this does not compute photo!
Exactly - there are always some that try to ruin it for the rest. I like your this does not compute photo!
Great post. And no. Buddhist & Violence certainly does NOT compute. ~S