Yangon, Sep 25 (Xinhua) The national monks committee of Myanmar has issued a new directive to deal with Buddhist monks in the country following widespread demonstrations in Yangon and other parts of the country over the past week, according to state-run media Tuesday.
Signed by the chairman and the secretary of the committee, the directives to all levels of the committee called for supervising Buddhist monks and nuns to practice only religion.
The new directive also called for abiding by four previous ones, which prohibit monks from participating in secular affairs, and for avoidance from getting involved in party politics and instigation.
The previous directives also include a request to senior monks of monasteries to lecture others to stay away from forming, joining or supporting any illegal monk organisations.
Action will be taken against monks and nuns who commit acts that tarnish the prestige of the Sasana (religion) and those who violate individually or in groups religious rules and laws prescribed by the government, according to the directives.
On Monday, Myanmar Minister of Religious Affairs Brigadier General Thura Myint Maung said in his application to the committee that the recent young Buddhist monk demonstrations in the country were incited by external and internal destructive elements.
He noted that the monk demonstrations would not only undermine the stability of the state but also destroy the image of Myanmar monks, adding that monks who fail to observe or obey any religious stipulations, rules and regulations will face action.
Buddhist monk demonstrations in Myanmar’s biggest city of Yangon on Monday grew larger compared to the demonstrations last week, which started on Sep 18.
The monks, joined by larger crowds of young civilians, marched peacefully through the city.