Alms and the men

All of this has recalled the mass pro-democracy uprising of 1988, which the regime put down harshly with the loss of thousands of lives. That, too, began in economic disgruntlement when the junta abruptly cancelled high-value banknotes. It then spread to a political movement in which students and monks played leading roles. Two years later the clergy imposed a boycott of military families similar to the one now being threatened8230;

If there is one group in Burmese society that the generals might hesitate to confront, it is the clergy. Not just because it might whip up the masses to overthrow their tyranny at long last, but because of the influence Buddhists believe they have over the process of rebirth. Giving alms to monks is one of the main ways to make 8220;merit8221;, so if this is denied the generals, they may lose their chance of advancement in their next life. A punishment amply merited.

Excerpted from 8216;The Economist8217;, September 22