"...Despite criticism of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for not speaking more forcefully to condemn religious prejudice and discrimination, she is reviled by Buddhist nationalists over the NLD?s opposition to the four so-called ?race and religion laws” enacted by the outgoing government. As an NLD government moves to address these issues it will be considering the role of the supreme body representing the monkhood in Myanmar, the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, which is under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The 47-member committee, which includes representatives from the country?s nine main Buddhist sects, was established by the military government in 1980 to strengthen state control over the community of monks, the sangha. The committee enjoyed considerable influence until 2003 and 2004, when divisions emerged over whether or not to support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The dispute, an indication of the politicisation of some monks, resulted in ministerial intervention to exert greater control over the committee and its influence went into decline. There has been disappointment among some prominent members of the sangha over the committee?s silence about the activities of the anti-Muslim 969 movement, which includes U Wirathu as a leading member. ?The Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee made no attempt to intervene in the conflict caused by 969 movement?s campaigns,” said U Thawbita, popularly known as the Bawa Alinn (Light of Life) Sayadaw..."..... Tags: religion, Buddhism, Ministry of Religious Affairs, NLD, Sangha Maha Nayaka