June 19th 2005, Aung San Suu Kyi 60th Birthday
“The way of democracy is to create mutual trust and understanding through free and open discussion and debate. It is by this way that we can learn to settle our differences without resorting to compulsion or violence and to weld unity out of the diversity that is the wonder of our human world. People may be compelled to act against their inclinations, they may be bribed to set aside their conscience. But they cannot be forced to give their hearts and minds to any cause that they do not truly believe to be worthwhile.
Unity and discipline are closely related and as discipline cannot be compelled genuine unity cannot be enforced. It has to come from the conviction that by our joint efforts we shall be able to overcome the obstacles that dispersed attempts fail to overcome. Gandhiji taught that united action by a people armed merely with the principles of justice and non-violence can achieve far greater results than the vast institutions of a state that is not upheld by the consent of the populace. He holds out across the barriers of time and space a blazing torch of hope and courage to those who struggle against overwhelming odds that their people may live in dignity and security.
May we be able to go forward together in disciplined strength towards international understanding and universal peace compelled only by the dictates of our conscience.”
“As a Buddhist,I can not help thinking that if one really understood the meaning of anicca (impermanence), one wouldn’t chase the power and wealth at the expense of one’s moral being.”
“The intellectual with his(her) questioning mind threatens the totalitarian mind which expects orders to be carried out and decrees to be accepted without question.There will always be clashes between the authoritarian mind and the questioning mind.They just cannot go together.”
I visited Myanmar last summer. The isolated country has it’s own unique beauty. People there are very friendly, courteous and religious. Most Burmese are Buddhist, looks like they spend most of their limited resources on building temples - there are temples everywhere that make the whole country looks like a big tomb. A strong impression it gives me is that Myanmar is a sleeping land. I think things will change sooner or later in that country, hopefully it’s awaking soon.
