Wikipedia says:
The 969 MOVEMENT is a nationalist group opposed to what they see as Islam's expansion in predominantly-Buddhist Burma. The three digits of 969 "symbolize the virtues of the Buddha, Buddhist practices and the Buddhist community."The first 9 stands for the nine special attributes of the Lord Buddha and the 6 for the six special attributes of his Dhamma, or Buddhist Teachings, and the last 9 represents the nine special attributes of Buddhist Sangha [monks]. Those special attributes are the three Gems of the Buddha. In the past, the Buddha, Sangha, Dhamma and the wheel of Dhamma were Buddhists' sign. And the same goes for 969; it is another Buddhist sign.The movement that inspired strong reactions within and beyond Myanmar. In the international media it has received criticism. The Straits Times, in 2013, dramatically described it as "Myanmar's "neo-Nazi group" and alleged that it spreads anti-Muslim sentiment".
Alex Bookbinder, in The Atlantic, links the movement's origins to certain ideas of U Kyaw Lwin and states it holds 969 as a number symbolizing Buddhism. He also cites criticism of it by Min Ko Naing.
The movement's Myanmar Buddhist supporters deny it is anti-Muslim with BhikkhuWirathu stating it is a protective movement about targeting "Bengalis who are terrorizing ethnic Rakhine (Buddhists)."
WIRATHU
Main article: Ashin Wirathu
Wirathu is regarded as the movement's highest protector. It has been reported that he advocates the boycott of shops owned by Muslims.[10][11] Wirathu has himself stated that the movement has been treated as a scapegoat unfairly blamed for events like the 2012 Rakhine State riots and that "969 is not violent." The Asia Times Online has described him as a "complex figure" who demonizes Muslims, but also protests police violence. An article in The Straits Times says a source indicated that Wirathu had changed his tone and has "pledged to promote peace among religious communities."[12]
Wirathu is mentioned on the cover story of Time magazine as "The Face of Buddhist Terror" on June 20, 2013.[13] "You can be full of kindness and love, but you cannot sleep next to a mad dog," Wirathu said, referring to Muslims. "If we are weak," he said, "our land will become Muslim. Some people misunderstood the title [of the Time article]... seeing it as an insult to religion," said Dr. Yan Myo Thein, a political analyst. "They believe it's equating Buddhism with terrorism."[14] After the publication of the Time article, Wirathu denied responsibility for anti-Muslim violence.[15] Shortly after, the 2013 July issue of Time Magazine featuring Wirathu was banned in Myanmar.[16]
Burmese President Thein Sein has defended Wirathu, saying the report undermined efforts to rebuild trust between faiths and that the monk's order was striving for peace and prosperity. "The government is currently striving with religious leaders, political parties, media and the people to rid Myanmar [Burma] of unwanted conflicts," it added.[17] Burma's government is objecting to a Time Magazine article critical of an extremist monk who has been attacking Islam. Authorities deny they are defending the monk, Wirathu, but said they are concerned the article could create problems after recent unrest between Buddhists and Muslims. Wirathu said the Time Magazine article is not against Buddhism, just against him. In an interview with the The Irrawaddy Magazine he also alleges Muslim extremists are behind the article and planning to wage jihad against Burma.[18]
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Yangon early on June 30,2013 afternoon in a peaceful demonstration against TIME magazine's article on senior monk U Wirathu and the 969 movement he leads. Marching monks held a banner proclaiming that U Wirathu is "Not The Terrorist, but The Protector of race, language and the religion." Speaking to Mizzima News, one demonstrator, a 51-year-old office manager, said, "TIME Magazine is wrong. He [Wirathu] is peaceful. Every monk is a peacemaker. The Buddhist religion wants brotherhood with everyone."[19]
INITIATIVES
The movement is seeking to draft a law that would forbid Buddhist women from marrying non-Buddhist men without the permission of local officials, as well as the conversion to Buddhism of the husband-to-be.[20]
SEE ALSO
* Buddhism and violence
* Rohingya conflict in Western Burma
* 2012 Rakhine State riots
* 2013 Burma anti-Muslim riots
* Persecution of Muslims in Burma
* Bodu Bala Sena
REFERENCE
* ^ "A"B"C"969: The Strange Numerological Basis for Burma's Religious Violence by Alex Bookbinder, The Atlantic
* ^ "A"B"C"
* ^
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source:: http://way-of-witch.blogspot.com
