It considers how their arguments are connected to particular ideas that circulate within Myanmar’s Theravada Buddhist tradition and posit what lies “behind” the narratives: the concerns, fears,interests, or needs.
Next, the paper offers elements of a constructive counterargument
within a Theravada Buddhist framework that might be employed to
challenge the rhetoric of the 969 movement and MaBaTha. The pro-
posed counterargument draws from Buddhist teaching and texts, as
well as other notions common in Burmese Buddhist culture. The hope
is that some of these might be persuasive to Buddhists in Myanmar and
useful for those seeking to develop or amplify more tolerant Buddhist
attitudes and behaviors toward other groups in the current insecure and
rapidly changing environment. The paper also presents several comple-
mentary policy prescriptions designed to respond to the underlying
socioeconomic insecurities and political impediments, which are seen
as root causes of the present conflict.