Jamaica National Inspired By The Fighting Peacock

Hey Family,

You know about Bob Marley. And you probably heard about tropical beaches and reggae music. But here’s something you don’t see very often: A Jamaican-born Theravada Buddhist. But it’s true. I learnt about the teaching of the elders through years of personal Asian studies and the Wat Dhammaram Theravada Temple in Kissimmee Florida.

My interest in Burma goes further back. Stories of Bagan, the rest of Burma and Buddhism have always captured my imagination. Then in 2006 I bought a National Geographic because of a story in it about the Irrawaddy River.

And I realized that Burma was not just interesting, it was rare. Burma is as unique and as resilient as my own people and country.

Then in September of this year, Burma was burning.

It was inspiring attending the Burma Candlelight Vigil for Burma on October 6 in Kingston, Jamaica. The Burmese Community in Jamaica stood up and added their voice to the call for freedom in their country. And I was honored to be among the "peaceful warriors".

I was honored to have gotten permission to perform a poem I wrote for the occasion. Apart from Buddhism and my love for Burma, I feel obligated as a Jamaican to stand with the Burmese people.

The Jamaican people got their opportunity to install their fairly elected government in September 2007. And that made me think for a minute. If when we voted in our government, the ARMY came out, put our new prime minister under house arrest and imposed a military government on us for 17 years and counting. Wouldn’t we want the world to know about it? And stand with us?

So here I am. A rare believer in a unique country, standing with my fellow human beings from Burma. Inspired by the teachings of the Buddha, the warmth of the people and the spirit of the fighting peacock.

To all my new Burmese friends...
Never give up. A lotus will grow from this mud.

BE WELL

posted by: Roland Watson-Grant (Theravada Buddhist Kingston, Jamaica)