Aung San Suu Kyi: Buddhism has influenced my worldview
Aung San Suu Kyi was born in Rangoon at 19 June 1945. Her father, Aung San was the founder of the modern Burmese army, whom was assasinated by rivals in 1947, the same year he negotiated with the British Empire for Burma’s independence. In 1960, Suu Kyi’s mother, Khin Kyi was appointed as the Burmese ambassador to India and Nepal. It was in New Delhi where she obtained her degree in politics in 1964. She also graduated with a B.A. degree in philosophy, politics and economics from St Hugh’s College, Oxford in 1969.
After graduating, she moved to New York where she worked for 3 years at the UN. She married in 1972, to Dr Micheal Aris, a scholar of Tibetan culture. Her first son, Alexander Aris was born the following year… and her second son, Kim was born in 1977.
When Suu Kyi went back to Burma in 1988, it was as if fate has determined her involvement in her country’s freedom… in that very year, Burma’s long time military leader stepped down which lead to mass demonstrations for a democratic country. However, they were suppressed violently and despite her effort of leading a mass rally consisting of half a million people, a new military junta took power a month later. This was the very beginning of her involvement in politics, to fight for something she truly believe in which is to set her country free.
Suu Kyi’s political career is largely influenced by both Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and Buddhist concepts. Her involvement in her country’s politics has led her to being placed under house arrest for a total of 15 years out of her 21 years of political career. She was recently released in 13th November 2010, the expiry of her detention date according to the court ruling in 2009. Her release was largely due to internasional pressure that the Burmese government received from all over the world. Until today, Suu Kyi is still working hard to make her country a better place for the benefit of her people.
Happier days… Suu Kyi and her husband Dr Micheal Aris. The last time Suu Kyi met her husband was on Christmas 1995. Dr Aris was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 1997. Due to Suu Kyi’s status of house arrest, Dr Aris was denied a visa to enter Burma to meet his wife. Although the Burmese government urged Suu Kyi to leave the country to visit her ill husband, she was reluctant to depart in fear that she will be denied entry into Burma upon leaving. At this time, she made the ultimate sacrifice for her country by not leaving Burma… Dr Aris passed away in 1999 on his 53rd birthday, while Suu Kyi was in house arrest in Burma.
Suu Kyi with her first born son, Alexander Aris in London
Finally reunited… After being away from her family for 10 years, Suu Kyi was finally able to meet her second son, Kim Aris in November 2010
The house where Suu Kyi lived during her 15 years of house arrest. She was denied meetings with her supporters and international visitors. She spent her days reading philosophy, politics and biographies that her late husband sent her.
Throughout her political career, Suu Kyi received more than 27 international awards… among them was The Nobel Peace Prize (1991), Congressional Gold Medal (2008) and many more.
Aung San Suu Kyi is an amazing woman… She faced with so many obstacles through out her career, but she held on… not giving up or losing sight of her main goal. Although so much has happened during the 21 years of her political career… the loss of her husband, being separated from her children, denied visitation rights… she selflessly put her personal situation aside and continued working tirelessly for the benefit of her people in Burma. No matter what obstacles arose it did not deter her. Truly an inspiration for people who give up very easily when the slightest discomforts are encountered.
After going through so much ordeal, Suu Kyi didn’t turn out bitter, or had any self-pity… Instead of being proud of her perserverance… she credited it all to her Buddhist Dharma practice as a Theravadan Buddhist… and it’s wonderful because whenever people read her biography, they will know that Dharma can bring peace and happiness even in the most difficult situations. That knowledge, through her living example… will save lives. She truly is a women worth admiration and we all can learn alot from her. Buddhism as her faith plays a large part to forming her attitude and strength. She draws strength from Buddha Dharma as do I.
If you were in her situation, what would you have done? How would you view the world after 15 years of house arrest? I am presenting this powerful lady to all of you just as an inspiration. I am not interested in politics, or nor am I judging what is happening in Burma nor do I infer anything. I am simply blogging about a powerful person who inspires me with her courage, determination and total self sacrifice. A human who uses her life for others. I wish this lady extremely long life, health and many blessings.
Tsem Rinpoche
Aung San Suu Kyi : Buddhism has influenced my worldview
By Sally Quinn, The Washington Post, Dec 1, 2011
Yangon, Myanmar — The Council on Foreign Relations had a live video interview with Aung San Suu Kyi , the Burmese dissident who spent more than 15 years in custody. Today, she received a visit from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During her talk with the council, Suu Kyi was open and forthright about the issues facing her country. Despite all of the horrors she has been through, there wasn’t a trace of anger or bitterness in her remarks.
I found her a truly remarkable person. I have never met anyone like her before except for Nelson Mandela, who later became president of the nation that imprisoned him.
Below is an excerpt from the event:
QUESTIONER: I’m Sally Quinn from the Washington Post, editor-in-chief of “On Faith.” And like Fred Hiatt, my colleague, I wish you would write for us. (Laughter.) This is more of a personal question. I don’t know what I expected to see from you today, maybe somebody looking very tired and worn and maybe a little embittered. And yet I see an incredibly cheerful and optimistic person before me. And given what you have been through in the last 15 or 20 years, which none of us can really imagine, what has gotten you through all of this? You have talked about how we mustn’t — we want restorative, not punitive. And you’ve said, let’s forget the past. Is it your faith that’s gotten you through this and brought you to the point where now you can be as optimistic and as cheerful and as forward-looking as you are?
SUU KYI: Well, let me answer you bit by bit. So — (audio break) — and secondly, I am tired — in fact, rather sleepy as well. But I’m glad it doesn’t show. (Laughter.)
And thirdly — well, I’m not embittered. But I have to say that I’m not saying forget the past. We must face the past. We can’t forget it. But we don’t need to remember it with bitterness. We don’t need to remember it with anger. We need the past in order to — we need to remember the past in order to avoid the kind of mistakes we’ve made then in the future. So we need the past in order to help us live the future better — the present and the future better.
And you asked if it was anything to do with my faith. I suppose you mean with my religion. I suppose partly it must have something to do with that because, well, I am a believing Buddhist, so I am sure the teachings of Buddhism do affect the way I think.
But more than that, I would state that when I started out in politics, in this movement for democracy, I always started out with the idea that this should be a process that would bring greater happiness, greater harmony and greater peace to our nation. And this cannot be done if you are going to be bound by anger and by desire for revenge. So I’ve never thought that the way to go forward was through anger and bitterness, but through understanding, trying to understand the other side, and through the ability to negotiate with people who think quite differently from you and to agree to disagree if necessary — if necessary and to somehow bring harmony out of different ways of thinking.
Watch the video interview of Aung San Suu Kyi
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/A-Conversation-with-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi.mp4
Here are some related articles on Aung San Suu Kyi:
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- Myanmar says hundreds of political prisoners free
- Obama visits Aung San Suu Kyi at home
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Aung San Suu Kyi a Burmese democracy leader, is the world’s most famous political prisoner. She is known to rely on her Buddhist faith for a sense of inner freedom during her years of house arrest. She has not only become a voice for freedom and political leadership but a voice of Buddhist compassion for the Burmese people and the ethnic minority groups. During her long struggle, has leaned heavily on her Buddhist faith that has changed her mind. Suu Kyi’s political career is largely influenced by both Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and Buddhist concepts. Buddhism has truly influenced her thinking and the way she tried to live her life during her most difficult time. Aung San Suu Kyi is an amazing woman , had won many awards throughout her political career. The Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1991 was one of them for her decades of struggles. Interesting read.
Thank you Rinpoche for this interesting read.
1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me
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A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…
In the sport of correct views,
all that is correct is just a view,
without permanence or substance.
As long as we hold onto views,
our sufferings are gathered
to be experienced without end.
Without the strong methods of emptiness
and compassion, bereft of merit,
we sink deeper without respite.
To arise from this samsara is but
a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
hold your vows and fixate on liberation
free of new creations. Free of new experiences as
there are none.
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014
I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.
I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
Aung San Suu Kyi is indeed a very noble and inspiring lady. She sacrifice her live in order to bring happiness and harmony to her Myanmar nation. She has to endure captivity of 15 years in the house of arrest but still maintain the same motivation that is to gain the freedom for her country. And importantly, she applied Buddhism knowledge in her fight for the nation. Do not use anger and revenge but understanding and diplomacy.
Aung San Suu Kyi is an amazing and an inspiring strong women with determination.I have always admired her since young,reading books of her biography and news of her from newspapers..She had put her country above family which is indeed hard for her .She had suffered so much for her country..was restricted in her house only , not able to meet anybody for the last 15 years and so forth. She was not granted to leave her country when her husband was dying .Felt so sorry for her.But with her will power and strong faith in Buddhism..practising of dharma might have help her to overcome all the obstacles to free her country. Till now she is still working hard to make her country a better place and for the benefit of her people.Salute to her and may she be in good health to continue serving her country.
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring post.
Aung San Suu Kyi suffered a lot in her quest to free her country Myannmar (Burma) from the grips of total dictatorship. She suffered not being able to leave her house arrest to be with her dying husband, inability to see her sons and constant house arrest and loss of freedom.
Her tenacity is due to her belief and influence by Buddhism, to feel privileged to suffer for the sake of fellow human beings.
Her conviction has now paid off and her party is the government of Myannmar.
Extremely inspirational.
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Aung San Suu Kyi is modest and soft spoken.She is the leader of the Burmese National league for democracy,NLD.
Though stands only at five foot,four inches and weigh only a hundred pounds,she is one tough lady ,who challenged one of the most repressive regime in the world!
She usually appears in public with flowers pinned behind her ears, but her gentle manners take nothing away from her tremendous conviction.An author of several books,a mother and a wife!Truly admirable and amazing!
She is a very amazing woman that i really admire….shd did so much for her country and her people…she sacrifice so much and yet overcome all the obstacle…and i truly believe dharma can bring peace and happiness no matter how bad the situation is…..
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I truly truly solute Aung San Suu Kyi. Her fearlessness came from the love for her people. She was denied to meet anybody for the last 15 years. After all these years she kept herself calm and fresh to the outside world. No bitterness, miserable and whatsoever. What a strong and tough lady she is. A lady who has high integrity, who kept her promise to her people.
For her to be able move on she put herself into the palm of the buddha. Her spiritual practice had gave her the strength to move on.
Confort zone and difficult Path. she had chosen the difficult path to move on with her people.
缅甸民主运动领袖昂山舒吉，1991年获颁诺贝尔和平奖，但一直未能亲身领奖。但是，我在报章读到在上个星期六她在挪威的奥斯陆市政厅举行亲身领诺贝尔和平奖，这迟来的奖座己经等了二十一年。
挪威诺贝尔委员会主席亚格兰形容昂山舒吉 ” 以和平手段争取民主，人权和种族和解” 赞扬舒吉以坚毅，牺牲和对原则的坚持。她的永不放弃精神就像詹杜固仁波切一样，是众人学习的榜样。
我读到舒吉的一些金句。。。我本身非常喜欢，希望能在这里和大家分享。。。
” 在逆境中和为数不多的甜美事情中，最珍贵的是我学习到了~ 善的价值。我获得的所有善，小或大，都让我坚信这在我们的世界是永远不够的。善可以改变人的生命，融化铁石心肠。”
” 世界上亦没有绝对的和平。但共同努力争取和平，以信任及友谊团结每个人及国家，能令人类和社会更宽容。”
” 我们的终极愿景是建构一个无难民的世，到处充满和平，能活得安心快乐。”
感谢仁波切的分享和用心良苦。。。在这里可以向伟大的人物去学习。
I have tremendous respect for Aung San Suu Kyi and never fail to read her news. I was in awe of how she sacrificed so much of her personal happiness for her country but not going to her terminally ill husband’s bedside for fear she will never return to Burma. Also her filial piety to her deceased father. I was very happy that she was finally released in 2010 and is safe.
I like this phrase by Suu Kyi: “We must face the past. We can’t forget it. But we don’t need to remember it with bitterness.” Many people would say “let’s forget the past” but she chose to “face the past”. How true, if we cannot confront the past, how can we come to terms with ourselves and be happy.
Thank you for sharing the story of this wonderful woman, Rinpoche.
A truly amazing woman. “A lady”
[…] Finally reunited… After being away from her family for 10 years, Suu Kyi was finally able to meet her second son, Kim Aris in November 2010. Source […]
She is truly an amazing woman and she really does remind me of Nelson Mandela, she is not in it for the money power, comfort but a genuine concern and wanting to help her fellow countrymen. Her father’s assassination was an ominous moment for Burma and I really do hope she can bring peace. I mean you never knew your father, you could not be there for your husband, your kids grew up without you, how many of us can bear that for others? Amazing!
I admire Aung San Suu Kyi and greatly inspired by her tenacity and perseverance to sacrifice everything personally to benefit the Burmese citizens. On a bigger picture what she has done and is still doing is something that all must learn how to live our lives in benefitting others.
It is hard for a wife and mother to forsake her instincts of being one and stayed in Burma not seeing her sons grow and husband die.
Her selflessness is beyond any yardstick for an ordinary woman.
May she succeed in all her undertakings and may the other world leaders be supportive of her.
Aung San Suu Kyi is truly an amazing and awesome lady. I think she’s the peaceful emanation of Vajrayogini. She is able to put aside her personal wants with such overwhelming love for her country and people. How many wives and mothers are able to be separated from their husband and children, for the sake of their country, and do it with such grace and dignity? Her sacrifices will not be in vain, they will inspire future generations to come and touch the hearts of the world. Thank you to the 3 Jewels for guiding this inwardly and outwardly beautiful woman in her quest for peace and harmony in Myanmar (and eventually the world).
Such an inspirational story… She persevered for the love of her country and practiced what Buddha taught. For that love she sacrificed seeing her husband and kids for so many years. All she wanted for her country are peace, harmony and happiness. May she achieve what she stood for all those years and help Myanmar be better.
Aung San Suu Kyi is an amazing woman. How many of us can be so selfless to sacrifice our family for others?
She was asked why into politic? she responded saying that it was because of greater happiness, greater harmony and greater peace. It is the motivation to help others that keeps her going. For us to do our Dharma work, we must have the same attitude as well. I salute to this great lady.
Personally i admired Aung San Suu Kyi since few years back when I read a story about her hardwork and love toward her country and people. I learnt from her diligent and never give up personality and willingess to sacrifice for other beings without asking for any reward.
Previously I didn’t know that she is a Buddhist. I think her extremely strong and positive inner strength developed with deep understanding and practising of dharma which also helped her in overcoming all the challenges and obstacles.
May she stays happy and enjoy good health always.
VP
Aung San Suu Kyi shows great courage and conviction. To think that she could have a life with her husband and children abroad ie she could have just walked away and she didn’t.
I haven’t seen the entire interview but there’s a lot of wisdom in what she says.
Here are 2 remarkable quotes by Aung San Suu Kyi which in my opinion, reflects the Buddhist in her. First, is “If you are feeling helpless, help someone”. The second is “Fear is a habit; I am not afraid”.