Buddhist nationalist monks to protest Christian VP-elect



YANGON: -- A group of nationalist Buddhist monks and supporters are preparing to protest the National League for Democracy (NLD) for appointing a Christian vice president-elect this month, The Irrawaddy reported.

The group, called Buddha Gonyi, claims to be a protector of the Buddhist religion. Its leader, Ashin Aggadhamma, said that his members have already asked a police station in Yangon’s Bahan Township for permission to stage the protest.

The NLD chose Henry Van Thio, an ethnic Chin Christian, as a vice presidential nominee last week, and this week Parliament confirmed him for that post. He will be the first Christian vice president in the majority-Buddhist country.

Ashin Aggadhamma, who will lead the protest, said: “We aren’t protesting because he is Christian. Our country is Buddhist; 80 percent of the population is Buddhist. That is why we are against the NLD appointing a Christian vice president.”

He said his group is worried about future violence if the Christian vice president were ever put in a position to run the country.

Once the group receives permission from the police in Bahan Township, where the NLD headquarters is located, its members will launch a protest to show the party their disapproval.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/156000

-- Thai PBS 2016-03-21

It's about time these Monks wind their necks in

"He said his group is worried about future violence if the Christian vice president were ever put in a position to run the country."

And the violence would come from..... his group? Can he somehow explain how Buddhism is under attack? They seem to be doing a bang up job repressing Muslims there currently...... These clowns perhaps should spend a few minutes and study what the Buddha taught.

“We aren’t protesting because he is Christian. Our country is Buddhist; 80 percent of the population is Buddhist. That is why we are against the NLD appointing a Christian vice president.”

Great Logic..... HUH?

Another religion of Peace emerging in the world stage..

Really, after years of being suppressed with military rule, and now that they are 'free', they find petty reasons to stage a protest.

Ain't religion wonderful?

Ain't religion wonderful?

'We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.' Jonathan Swift

Wow, I'm speechless.

Oh how Buddhist of them. They look like Muslims.

Oh how Buddhist of them. They look like Muslims.

That was my first thought.

Beggars belief... Bring back the junta and see how they feel then.

The NDL seem to have acted responsibly, appointing politicians that represent a cross section of the community, and whilst not a Christian, I applaud their decision, and feel it bodes well for the future, if it stands... not so much if bigotry wins out

Saying that, the Buddhists are being Blatently bigoted.... Outrageously bigoted.... And I'm pretty sure that if there is future violence, it won't be started by the Christians.

However, what could happen, is counter protests like was seen between the red shirts and yellow shirts, which the junta would probably encourage, so they can reinstate themselves for the good of the country.