Anti-sanction mantra recited in Burma today

DVB (August 27,2003)

The superstitious military regime of Burma, the SPDC is today forcing people to recite ‘ant-danger’ mantras which are supposed to protect the junta from the dangers and wards off the impacts of sanctions imposed by the US government, in the opinions of some observers. Assigned groups of worshippers are ordered to recite ‘Upathanta’ mantra from Tri-pitika bible in turn. In some towns, monks are told to recite them.
People are told to recite these mantras at famous temples and pagodas. At Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda in Pegu and Shwe Sandaw Pagoda in Taungoo, Pegu Division, people have been reciting the mantra since early this morning, according to local people. Groups of twenty women have to recite the mantra in turn inside the buildings of the temples and they are ordered to keep on doing it for nine consecutive days.

The people from some wards who are unable to recite the mantras are forced to contribute to the costs for offerings of bananas and coconuts. During the recitals, the pagoda compounds are guarded by guards and other worshippers are not allowed to enter the areas.

A managing committee member of Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda told the DVB as follows:

A managing committee member of Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda : The recitals for today have finished at Shwe Mawdaw. They recite the mantra in groups. We heard that they will do it nine days in groups. Each group has to recite for an hour.

DVB : Do they recite it every day?

A managing committee member of Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda : Yes. They have to recite the appointed mantra.

DVB : What is the purpose of the recitals?

A managing committee member of Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda : I don’t know about that.

A local resident told DVB that similar recitals are being performed at Shwe Sandaw Pagoda in Taungoo:

A Taungoo resident : Yes. They are performing the recitals at the famous Shwe Sandaw Pagoda in Taungoo since four o’clock this morning. As far as I know, at the moment, only monks are reciting at the pagoda. There are nine monks. No other worshippers are allowed to go there. The mantra is even quite difficult for the monks to recite. It is quite difficult for normal people to learn to recite.

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 27 Aug 03