Case 01/2015: Theravada Monk Ashin Wirathu & 969 Movement

JUDGMENT AND ETHICAL CONCLUSION

Dear Prosecutor, Executive Secretary and Members of the Jury of the International Buddhist Ethics Committee (IBEC) and Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights (BTHR).

Regarding the case reported by the World Association of Buddhism (WBA) versus the Theravada monk Ashin Wirathu, on day April 15, 2015, I put on record that the first case of the Ethics Committee is concluded to analyze the violation towards the Buddhist Spirituality made by Theravada monk Ashin Wirathu.

After the huge amount of evidence presented and certified as valid, and following the refusal of the accused ones to make a statement, the vote of six members of the Jury has proceeded, thus confirming that all of them sentenced as “Responsible” to monk Ashin Wirathu for the serious crimes of Discrimination, Social Segregation, Apology of violence and False Buddhism. Since these actions break the Buddhist ethical precepts, such as the abstention from harming other human beings, the messages of hate and Islamophobia by the defendant Ashin Wirathu reveal a complete violation of the Noble Eightfold Path, for there is a lack of righteousness in understanding, thought, words, actions, livelihood, effort, attention and concentration. Concordantly, the accused Ashin Wirathu has already been criminally condemned to prison in the past for inciting violence against dozens of Muslims. Although he was released by a political amnesty, this is a precedent that he is using Buddhism to really transmit a fascist and neo-Nazi nationalism.

In addition, the case of Wirathu and 969 Movement entails a much more serious offense than the violation of Buddhist vows because the public demonstrations of the accused are part of a government campaign of persecution and slaughter against thousands of Muslims who are citizens of Myanmar. Certainly, our International Buddhist Ethics Committee and Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights has strong evidence that the Myanmar government is perpetuating a “genocide” and that this terrible act against humanity is being supported and indirectly endorsed by the 969 Movement led by the defendant Ashin Wirathu.

Therefore, the International Buddhist Ethics Committee and Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights rules that Buddhist Spirituality, as a Path of Compassionate Wisdom, must expel Ashin Wirathu and deprive him from all kind of spiritual position as a monk, simultaneously denouncing the 969 movement as a political party that conveys a false Buddhism.

Following in the footsteps of Master Siddhartha Gautama, the International Buddhist Ethics Committee and the Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights has decided to proceed against Ashin Wirathu and 969 Movement for provoking a serious injury to the Buddhist Spirituality and the society of Myanmar, reason why Buddhists from all over the world have been convened to establish and clarify the facts of this case. The members of our community have been able to study testimonials that prove these serious allegations. This democratic modality is the Buddhist pathway of Justice, since the President of the Committee and Tribunal is not a dictator who can deliver verdict by himself. In this way, the Committee and Tribunal seek to maintain the harmony of the great World Sangha, but also seek to create the conditions for world peace of all the peoples. In this sense, the Master Siddharta Gautama developed an extraordinary democratic model of Justice, respecting the vision of legal advisors and avoiding at any time to impose a personal judgment. This example of Truth, Peace and Justice should be followed by everyone, whether they are Buddhist or non-Buddhist peoples.

With a Reconciling spirit (maitri),

Master Maitreya

Spiritual Guide and President of the International Buddhist Ethics Committee (IBEC) & Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights (BTHR)