This was in my inbox this morning:
Dear friends
Please come and [show] support for Burma. I hope you can come this friday 9/28/07 near by Burmese embassy at 4:00 p.m.
Thank you
Bhante Uparatana
Bhante Uparatana is one of more venerated Buddhist monks in the Washington DC area. So if he calls for our attention, we should listen and take what he asks seriously.
A little bit more from the email. He forwards the following
Dear Friends,
You've all seen the news. The peaceful protests in Burma being led by monks are now being met with force and violent opposition from the military regime. Monks and civilians have been beaten, injured, arrested, shot at and killed . Many world leaders have made statements, but now is the time for action. We are calling upon the one country that has military, economic, and diplomatic leverage over Burma to do something. That country is China. As host of the 2008 Olympics, it is completely hypocritical for China to be such strong supporters of the human rights-abusing military regime in Burma.
This Friday at 4:00pm, the US Campaign for Burma is organizing a protest & march in collaboration with the Burmese & Buddhist communities of Washington, DC. Please join us at 4:00pm at the Burmese Embassy, followed by a march to the Chinese Embassy along Connecticut Avenue NW.
Addresses & Directions:
Burmese Embassy (Meet here at 4:00pm)
2300 S Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Directions to the Burmese Embassy from the Dupont Circle Station on the Red Line:
Exit station using CONN AVE & Q ST NW exit
Walk approx. 2 blocks NW on Connecticut Ave NW.
Turn left on S St NW.
Walk approx. 2 blocks W on S St NW. To view a map, please visit
wmata.com and use their trip planner feature.
Chinese Embassy
2300 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
Bhante Uparatana and the folks at the International Buddhist Center in Wheaton, MD have always been quick to show support for us in our times of need. If you have the time and can make the march, please consider coming.
(I hope this isn't too much of a drive-by diary. I couldn't find a link to post to an open thread.)
I will close with what I have posting various places this week.
May the monks be well, happy and peaceful.
May no harm come to them.
May they always meet with spiritual success.
May they also have the patience, courage, understanding, and determination to meet and overcome inevitable difficulties, problems and failures in life.
May they always rise above them with morality, integrity, forgiveness, compassion, mindfulness and wisdom.