Seeking to silence the prominent Buddhist monk and social activist Sayadaw Ashin Ariya Wun Tha Bhiwun Sa, abbot of Myawaddy Mingyi Monastery in the city of Mandalay in central Myanmar, the country’s military has filed a lawsuit that could see the monk jailed for up to two years. Following a preliminary hearing on 7 November, a provincial court has granted the monk bail.

Better known as Myawaddy Sayadaw and renowned for his work with peace and interfaith groups,* the abbot has been accused of defamation by Myanmar’s politically powerful military following an interview he gave to the local Yangon Khit Thit news website in June. During the conversation, he questioned the propriety of a more than 30 million kyat (US$20,000) donation by an army commander to the ultra-nationalist Buddhist organization the Buddha-Dhamma Parahita Foundation.

Myawaddy Sayadaw, a vocal critic of the nationalist movement that has emerged within Myanmar’s monastic sangha, told the news website that the Buddha-Dhamma Parahita Foundation had broken sangha rules of conduct by accepting the funding from the military, which he said was working to stymie democratic reform in the country.

Describing the military as thieves and robbers, the abbot accused the military of making a mockery of democracy by defying the rule of law, of intimidating the civilian population, and of occupying seats in parliament that were not won by democratic vote.

“That nationalist group is partnering with an organization [the military] that is going against the rules of Buddhist monks,” the monk was quoted telling Yangon Khit Thit in the interview. (The Irrawaddy)

In September, the military filed lawsuit accusing Myawaddy Sayadaw of defamation, a conviction of which is punishable by up to two years in prison. According to media reports, Myanmar’s military regularly uses the country’s strict anti-defamation laws to threaten and punish critics.

“The lawsuit clearly shows the military is trying to block criticism,” Myawaddy Sayadaw said last week following his bail hearing. “But I will not stop, and I will continue with what I have to do.” (Eurasia Review)

The next court hearing is scheduled for 22 November.