The Madison Buddhist Peace Fellowship is making Burma a focus for attention and action this year.

Over the course of the year, we plan to educate ourselves into action by learning more about:

• the struggle in Burma
• Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership
• the impact of violence and nonviolent resistance and
• how we can best engage and support a peaceful outcome.

The September 2007 crackdown by the junta in Burma was brutal, and the aftermath continues. Dozens of Buddhist monasteries have been closed and locked. Tens of thousands of monks have fled or were exiled from the larger cities. The national Buddhist Peace Fellowship (see www.bpf.org ), which has been closely following the situation in Burma , fears that Burmese Buddhism itself is threatened.

Activists who have been working for democracy in Burma assert, however, that 2008 also holds out the possibility for positive change in Burma . The international community can support the monastics' non-violent efforts by keeping a focus on Burma .

Next Morning Sitting of Our Series: Saturday, July

Our next sitting will be held at the Madison Zen Center, 1820 Jefferson St . on Saturday,  July 19 , from 9 am until noon
During three hours of practice, we will engage in sitting meditation, walking meditation, contemplative meditation and mindful discussion. 

Cushions will be available, but feel free to bring your own if you'd like. Please join us for all or part of the morning! 

For additional information, contact Kathy at kathy@derene.com .

Resources on Burma:

Buddhist Peace Fellowship:

Alan Clements and the World Dharma Vision
Alan Clements is a vigorous activist supporting Buddhist monastics and the democracy movement in Burma . He is the author of The Voice of Hope with Aung San Suu Kyi.

U.S. Campaign for Burma
Primary U.S. organization coordinating lobbying and actions on Burma

Amnesty International
Suggests letter to Foreign Minister Nyan Win (draft letter available)

The Irrawaddy
Independent press, published by Burmese journalists in exile in Thailand

Burma Newsladder
Articles, blog posts, videos

www.selwyn.org
Local Burmese activist Selwyn Swe hosts a family-friendly web site that also includes his personal, in-depth presentations on Burma . (Scroll down to Burma overview, on left)

The Buddhist Channel
This site has covered Burma , although the focus changes depending on current events

Earth Rights International
A nonprofit organization that combines activism with legal resources to deal with environmental and human rights issues.