Question

Religious actors may be oppressed or oppressors at different historical moments or at the same time. How do we explain how Burmese monks went from expounding a creative and, in some sense, more inclusive form of meditation in response to British colonialism to the violent and polemical doctrine seen with the repression of Rohingya Muslims?

Answer 1

Religious actors can be both oppressed and oppressors. Burmese monks' shift from advocating inclusive meditation to endorsing violence against Rohingya Muslims can be attributed to religious extremism, racial and religious prejudices, and the influence of leaders within religious institutions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Religious actors can be both oppressed and oppressors at different times in history or even simultaneously. To understand how Burmese monks went from advocating for a more inclusive meditation practice in response to British colonialism to endorsing violence against Rohingya Muslims, we need to look at the complexities of religious extremism and its relationship with politics and power dynamics.

In Myanmar, Buddhist extremists view the Rohingya Muslims as outsiders, defiling the country's Buddhist identity. This perception has fueled acts of violence and discrimination against the Rohingya community. The oppression of the Rohingya is rooted in racial and religious prejudices and has led to their mass displacement and migration.

It is important to note that religious institutions do not need to carry out violent attacks to repress freedoms and create instability. Leaders within religious institutions can influence their followers through harmful narratives and discriminatory policies, leading to the oppression of marginalized groups. This pattern of religious oppression and extremism can be found in different historical periods and across various regions.