Buddhist Relief Mission, Supporting monks suffering from violent oppression in Burma, 2007

September 2007 - monks in Burma led peaceful demonstrations throughout the country calling on the government to respect human rights. The response of the military was brutal.

Burma Timeline

1948 - Independence from Britain
Burma's army, 15,000.

Burma had one of the highest living standard in Asia

1962 - General Ne Win's coup
Burma's army, 104,000

1987 - Burma declared "Least Developed Nation"

1988 - Democracy uprising suppressed
10,000 - 30,000 killed
Burma's army, 200,000

2007- Saffron Revolution
4000 monks arrested
Number killed unknown
Burma's army 400,000

On October 1, we received news that a group of monks was crossing the border seeking refuge outside the country. We expect that, in the coming days and weeks, this will increase substantially. We expect that many of the fleeing monks will try to reach India.

India is not a Buddhist country (yet), but there are monasteries in the northeast states, including Tripura, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, and in West Bengal which can and will accommodate them temporarily. They will need assistance in applying for refugee status from UNHCR and in furthering their studies, perhaps at universities.

Buddhist Relief Mission is cooperating closely with a network of monks and activists in India and Bangladesh to build support for this expected crisis. Funds will be needed to provide food, medicine, transportation, and other requisites. The network is also prepared to channel funds secretly and securely inside Burma to assist monks and nuns where possible.


		A monk hit by a rifle butt

		An injured monk helped by passersby

		A monk seriously injured in the demonstration

	A seriously injured monk
Photos courtesy of www.irrawaddy.org

Check or money order,
Pay to: Morgan Stanley, Buddhist Relief Mission, #574-688944
may be sent to:
Morgan Stanley, PO Box 951106,
South Jordan UT 84095, U.S.A.

For both PayPal and Check, please also send an e-mail message informing BRM of your donation, and which project you wish to support. Please include your postal address for a receipt

100% of all donations will be used to support refugees, monks and nuns, from Burma. There are no administrative expenses at any level. All donations will be receipted. Since BRM is a 501(c)3 organization, donations of up to $10,000 are tax deductible for US income tax purposes.

this site was built with metta by Arjuna Seneviratne