Lately however the violence between the Buddhist majority and the Muslim minority has intensified to the point of getting international attention. Over the weekend Muslim communities were attacked by Buddhist mobs which resulted in 32 deaths and dozens of homes burned and several mosques attacked.
Internationally, followers of Buddhism are normally perceived to be pacifistic, with images of Tibet and the Dalai Lama as the most known Buddhist symbols… the violence in Myanmar illustrates that no religious tradition is without the stain of violence.
In a statement President Obama expressed the need for continued dialogue between the opposing sides claiming that only through discussion can these problems be solved. The President made a mistake however when referring to the country as Burma instead of Myanmar… an issue some in the nation take very seriously.
Thoughts?