For weeks now the news has been full of the burgundy robed monks in Burma struggling against a military dictatorship which has showed itself to be increasingly brutal. During the democracy protests of 1988, 600 monks were among the 10,000 people killed. After protests in 1990, the government took control of the monasteries, making it a criminal offense to agitate within them or to set up new orders. If the monks are acting as the conscience of the nation (as they also did under British rule), why does the regime not close them down altogether?

In a Wall Street Journal article on the role of Buddhism in Burma Philip Delves Broughton examines the issue. The military regime which has run the country since 1962 is desperate to keep together the various ethnicities, languages and religious practices which make up Burma and has used ostentatious material support for Buddhism (funding temples and regilding pagodas) as a sign of ethnic Burmese dominance.

This is a tragic example of how those in power may use religions with blatant disregard for their precepts. Buddhism of course requires abstinence from all forms of killing, stealing and lying, and so is hardly the moral authority for this regime. Yet the state media regularly shows them visiting temples. Chillingly, they use the concepts of samsara and impermanence to justify their treatment of their people, treating human dignity and rights as pointless and human lives as disposable. The idea of ‘dana’, or giving without expecting a reward, is used to justify forced labour.

This peaceful religion is open to manipulation, but the monks are obviously not. Although their actions may be crushed by the violence of reprisals, it seems that their minds remain free. As I write this I feel a deep sense of helplessness, which almost stopped me from writing about this issue altogether. What can we do to help? Does a signature on an email petition really make any difference whatsoever? But a sense of lack of connection and powerlessness has to be a fast track to depression, which does nothing to help anyone. Let’s be proactive, on our own small scale; there is strength in numbers. Amnesty International is urging the UN Security Council to impose an arms embargo on Burma — visit their website and find out how to support them. Write an appeal. Donate. Demonstrate to show your solidarity. By taking some action, however small, we keep our own minds free.