969 vs.786: Remembering spiritual roots

[Location of Burma (Myanmar)]

Alex Bookbinder of The Atlantic writes that the number 969 is being strongly linked to religious violence within Burma (Myanmar).

He reports, "A wave of anti-Muslim violence has engulfed a number of towns in Central Burma over the past two weeks, and people fear the violence may soon move further south…  One number has become indelibly associated with these attacks – 969… "

Bookbinder explains that this number - which has long symbolized "the nine attributes of the Buddha, the six attributes of his teachings, and the nine attributes of the Sangha, or monastic order" – is now being politically utilized in response to Muslim use of the number 786.  He states that 786 is used by many South Asian Muslims to numerologically represent the phrase bismillah-ir-rahman-ir-rahim ("In the name of Allah, the Compassionate and Merciful").

In a post to the CNN iReport, UKovida cautions that "969 should not be used for any kind of violence."  He gives an in-depth explanation of what this number has meant spiritually.  Just the first 9 alone includes the following components:  freedom from defilement, realization of the Four Noble Truths, the alignment of knowledge and conduct, wise speech, profound knowledge of the world, remarkable teaching/mentoring, and higher consciousness.

Resources

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-957349

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/04/969-the-strange-numerological-basis-for-burmas-religious-violence/274816/

Copyright July 11, 2013 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved