Junta chanting American offensive away

Junta chanting American offensive away

Politics 

Reporter: Hawkeye

Like all major cities in the rest of the country, citizens of Kengtung in eastern Shan State, 160-km from the Thai border, have been under orders to recite an unheard-of mantra since August in anticipation of possible cross-border attack from the United States and its allies in the region, according to sources coming to Tachilek. 

The said mantra is styled Upaddva-santi Sutra (Discourse on Cessation of Misfortune), that is being recited 9 hours a day, 9 days a month by 9 selected lay people from each of 5 quarters of the city at the Arakan Buddha monastery. The first incantations began on 30 August (The 4th Waxing Moon of the 10th Lunar Month, Tawthalin for Burmese) coinciding with the declaration of Rangoon's 7 step roadmap, but since the 11th Lunar Month, the mantra is chanted 1-9 Waxing Moon each month. 

Buddhist monks in Tachilek interviewed by S.H.A.N. say they have never heard of the existence of such a mantra, let alone come across it. Most of them doubt very much the said discourse was part of the Buddha canon. 

Sources are also surprised by interest shown by outsiders of their leaders' obsession in what is generally termed as voodooism. "We are so used to their whims, it has already lost novelty here," said a source in reply to S.H.A.N.'s insistence for more details. "Sorry we cannot give more particulars. Next time, perhaps." 

One however volunteered a saying much quoted, "The West conquers through science (Theikpan). We will through the supernatural (Weikza)." 

American officials have already denied the United States had plans to invade Burma.