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Pauk Ko Taw

Pauk Ko Taw (Burmese: ပေါက်ကိုယ်တော်; pronounced: [paʊʔ kò dɔ̀], also known as Ashin Ariawuntha (Burmese: အရှင်အရိယဝံသ; pronounced: [ʔəʃɪ̀ɰ̃ ʔəɹḭjə wʊ̀ɰ̃ θa̰]) is a Buddhist monk from Myanmar.[1][2] He is involved in both religious and political movements and is a member of Ma Ba Tha, an organization advocating for Buddhist causes in Myanmar.[3][4] His activities and views have received differing reactions from various groups.[5][6]

Ashin

Pauk Ko Taw
ပေါက်ကိုယ်တော်
Personal
Born
Myanmar
ReligionBuddhism
NationalityBurmese
MovementMa Ba Tha (Patriotic Association of Myanmar)
Other namesAshin Ariawuntha (အရှင်အရိယဝံသ)
Monastic nameWarthawa
ProfessionBuddhist monk
Senior posting
ProfessionBuddhist monk

Early life and ordination

Pauk Ko Taw was born in Myanmar and adopted the monastic name Warthawa early in his religious life.[7] Details about his early years and training remain limited, as he is primarily recognized for his later public and political roles.[8][9]

Involvement with Ma Ba Tha

Pauk Ko Taw is an active member of Ma Ba Tha, an organization promoting the protection of Buddhism in Myanmar.[10] While some supporters praise its efforts to preserve Buddhist culture, others criticize its rhetoric for potentially fostering religious divisions.[11] Reports from organizations such as Frontier Myanmar and Burma Human Rights Network discuss the group’s impact on Myanmar’s socio-political landscape.[12][13]

Support for the military Junta

After the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, Pauk Ko Taw publicly supported the military government.[14] This position has drawn support from pro-military groups but criticism from human rights organizations and other observers who highlight the military’s alleged human rights abuses.[15] International organizations like Progressive Voice Myanmar and Amnesty International have voiced concerns about the broader implications of his alignment with the junta.[16][17]

Connections to Pyu Saw Htee militias

Pauk Ko Taw has been linked to Pyu Saw Htee militias, which are pro-military paramilitary groups.[18] These militias have been accused of involvement in violence and human rights abuses. Human rights groups such as Burma Human Rights Network and Frontier Myanmar have criticized these associations, arguing that they contribute to ongoing conflicts.[19][20]

Influence and criticism

Pauk Ko Taw is a notable but divisive figure in Myanmar.[21] His supporters commend his dedication to Buddhist values, while critics view his stances as exacerbating religious and ethnic tensions.[22] Organizations such as Al Jazeera and the International Crisis Group have raised concerns over his influence in Myanmar’s political and humanitarian crises.[23][24]

References

  1. ↑ "As defeats mount, Buddhist extremists start to desert Myanmar's military regime". AsiaNews. 24 January 2024. https://www.asianews.it/news-en/As-defeats-mount,-Buddhist-extremists-start-to-desert-Myanmars-military-regime-60006.html#google_vignette. 
  2. ↑ Jonathan Head (24 January 2024). "Myanmar's army is losing - and facing fire from a militant monk". BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68038513. 
  3. ↑ "Ultranationalist monks including Naymingyi Sayadaw at the Taunggyi protest, U Kaythaya in Yangon and Pauk Ko Taw in Mandalay have all demanded that Min Aung Hlaing step down as commander-in-chief given his battlefield failures during Operation 1027.". Frontier Myanmar. 6 February 2024. https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/the-military-is-in-chaos-cracks-in-the-support-base/. 
  4. ↑ Burma Human Rights Network (7 November 2024). "Pyu Saw Htee And Pro-Junta Thugs". Progressive Voice Myanmar. https://progressivevoicemyanmar.org/2024/11/07/pyu-saw-htee-and-pro-junta-thugs-2/. 
  5. ↑ "Nationalist Monk Briefly Detained After Joining Chant Calling for Myanmar's Leader to Step Down". The Irrawaddy. 19 January 2024. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/nationalist-monk-briefly-detained-after-joining-chant-calling-for-myanmars-dictator-to-step-down.html. 
  6. ↑ "Buddhist monk leading deadly pro-junta militias in Myanmar's Sagaing region". Radio Free Asia. 24 January 2024. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/warthawa-01242023144243.html. 
  7. ↑ "Monk who led junta-trained militias condemns Myanmar junta's abductions for forced recruitment". Myanmar NOW. 23 August 2024. https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/monk-who-led-junta-trained-militias-condemns-myanmar-juntas-abductions-for-forced-recruitment/. 
  8. ↑ "Last week it was the turn of the ultranationalist Buddhist monk Ashin Ariawuntha, also known as Pauk Ko Taw, arrested and interrogated by the authorities after declaring at a rally in the Mandalay region that the head of the junta should hand over power to his deputy, General Soe Win.". Agenzia Nova. 22 January 2024. https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/Myanmar-General-Hlaing-could-be-forced-to-resign/. 
  9. ↑ "This is just what happened in January when the ultranationalist monk, Pauk Ko Taw, led a protest by a few hundred pro-regime demonstrators in the former colonial hill station Pyin Oo Lwin, calling for Min Aung Hlaing to resign and hand over the reins of the military and the country to his deputy General Soe Win". University of Melbourne. 3 May 2024.
  10. ↑ Jonathan Head (24 January 2024). "This though was criticism from an unusual quarter. The monk, Pauk Ko Taw, is part of an ultra-nationalist fringe of the Buddhist clergy, which has until now been staunchly behind the military junta.". BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68038513. 
  11. ↑ "When asked about his role in the conflict, a former Ma Ba Tha monk named Pauk Ko Taw told RFA that Warthawa’s actions are “righteous” and that he “doesn’t support killing people.” “He is just working as a monk for building peace in Sagaing’s Kanbalu township, that’s why he organized [the groups for peace making,” he said. “We Buddhist monks need to organize people to stay peaceful and united and preach harmony to our ethnic groups. Warthawa has not committed any major sins … in Buddhism.”"]. Radio Free Asia. 24 January 2023. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/warthawa-01242023144243.html. 
  12. ↑ Palki Sharma (26 January 2024). ""Militant Monk" Challenges Myanmar's Military Junta, Becomes Viral | Firstpost Unpacked". Firstpost. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WdezYQdk_Xw. 
  13. ↑ "An Investigation into 969 nationalist Buddhist movement in Burma". Atheist Alliance International. 2 October 2024. https://atheistalliance.org/blog/an-investigation-into-969-nationalist-buddhist-movement-in-burma/. 
  14. ↑ "During a pro-Junta event in Pyin Oo Lwin on January 16th, Monk U Ariya Wun Tha, also known as Pauk Ko Taw, suggested that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is better suited for a civilian role, advocating for him to transition to such a position and transfer the Commander-in-Chief role to his deputy, Vice Senior General Soe Win.". Burma News International. 19 January 2024. https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/growing-demands-coup-leader-general-min-aung-hlaing-resign-exposes-internal-splits-inside-junta. 
  15. ↑ "Seven men were arrested by police for an alleged robbery at a home, where a vehicle and a mobile phone were stolen, in Pyigyitagon Township on Sept. 11. The men are alleged to be members of a pro-military militia led by a Buddhist monk named Pauk Ko Taw.". Democratic Voice of Burma. 16 September 2024. https://english.dvb.no/death-toll-from-floods-and-landslides-continues-to-rise-un-alarmed-by-airstrikes-that-kill-at-least-10-children/. 
  16. ↑ "Ultranationalist monks including Naymingyi Sayadaw at the Taunggyi protest, U Kaythaya in Yangon and Pauk Ko Taw in Mandalay have all demanded that Min Aung Hlaing step down as commander-in-chief given his battlefield failures during Operation 1027.". Frontier Myanmar. 6 February 2024. https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/the-military-is-in-chaos-cracks-in-the-support-base/. 
  17. ↑ "This report also explains how the military took the lead in establishing the Pyu Saw Htee group and how it supports the group financially and militarily. This report also provides details on the atrocities committed by the Pyu Saw Htee group on innocent people.". Burma Human Rights Network. 18 November 2024. https://bhrn.org.uk/. 
  18. ↑ Burma Human Rights Network. "Pyu Saw Htee And Pro-Junta Thugs". Progressive Voice Myanmar. https://progressivevoicemyanmar.org/2024/11/07/pyu-saw-htee-and-pro-junta-thugs-2/. 
  19. ↑ "This report also explains how the military took the lead in establishing the Pyu Saw Htee group and how it supports the group financially and militarily. This report also provides details on the atrocities committed by the Pyu Saw Htee group on innocent people.". Burma Human Rights Network. 18 November 2024. https://bhrn.org.uk/. 
  20. ↑ "In mid-January, at a small gathering in a cantonment town in Myanmar, hard line pro-military monk Pauk Kotaw suggested that the country's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing step down and his deputy take over. The crowd cheered in agreement, according to videos of the event posted on social media. Online, pro-military journalists and bloggers have been similarly direct. "He should resign as commander-in-chief," Ko Maung Maung, a pro-military Youtuber said in a post.". The Japan Times. 31 January 2024. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/01/31/asia-pacific/politics/myanmar-junta-chief-power/. 
  21. ↑ "The capture of the towns of Laukkai (Kokang) and Paletwa (Chin) had the greatest psychological impact on Tatmadaw soldiers. It led to the sentencing of six generals to death or life imprisonment for surrendering, as well as public and official criticism of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing. In particular, the prominent ultra-nationalist monk Pauk Ko Taw cited him as an example of leniency and endorsed Soe Win, his deputy, as a potential replacement". Atlas of Wars. 1 February 2024.
  22. ↑ "In mid-January, at a small gathering in a cantonment town in Myanmar, hard line pro-military monk Pauk Kotaw suggested that the country's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing step down and his deputy take over. The crowd cheered in agreement, according to videos of the event posted on social media.". Bangkok Post. 31 January 2024. https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2733995/3-years-after-coup-myanmar-junta-chief-under-unprecedented-pressure. 
  23. ↑ "Last week, an ultranationalist Buddhist monk who helped set up pro-junta militias was detained and questioned by authorities after he joined calls for Min Aung Hlaing to resign to show responsibility for the string of humiliating military defeats. He told a crowd gathered for a pro-military rally in Mandalay Region's Pyin Oo Lwin town that Min Aung Hlaing should step down from his post as military chief and hand over control to his deputy, Vice Senior General Soe Win. The monk, Ashin Ariawuntha, also known as Pauk Ko Taw, was released after being questioned in the morning.". The Irrawaddy. 22 January 2024. https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/analysis/will-the-myanmar-junta-boss-step-down-all-sides-now-want-him-gone.html. 
  24. ↑ Showe Showe (16 September 2024). "Ultranationalist Buddhist groups, like Ma Ba Tha, have been vocal in supporting the military's narratives of protecting the religion from external and internal threats. Following the 2021 coup led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the influential Ma Ba Tha monk, Sitagu, a Supreme Buddhist Monk Committee member, backed and praised the general as a hero of Buddhism. Militant monks like Warthawa and Pauk Ko Taw are also leading violent pro-junta militias to advance Ma Ba Tha's nationalist agenda.". The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/saffron-washing-the-myanmar-militarys-exploitation-of-buddhism/. 


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