Appendix I: Terminology and Abbreviations

AAPP

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners

ABMA

All-Burma Monks Alliance

ABSDF

All-Burma Students Democratic Front

AFPL

Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Bhikkhu

Pali term for Buddhist monk

Bhikkhuni

Pali term for an ordained Buddhist nun

BSPP

Burma Socialist Program Party

CPB

Communist Party of Burma

DKBA

Democratic Karen Buddhist Army

GCBA

General Council of Buddhist Associations (later General Council of Burmese Associations)

GCSS

General Council of Sangha Sammeggi

IBMO

International Burmese Monks Organization (also referred to by its Burmese name, Sasana Moli)

KIA

Kachin Independence Army

KNU

Karen National Union

Lon Htein

Burmese riot police

Nat

spirit, the belief in which is common in Burmese popular Buddhism

NLD

National League for Democracy

Pali

the canonical language of Buddhism, derived from Sanskrit, an older language

Patta nikkujjana kamma

excommunication, “overturning of the arms bowls.”

Pongyi

Buddhist monk (see also bhikkhu)

Sangha

the Buddhist order of monks

Sasana

belief, religion

Sayadaw

“great teacher,” an honorific for senior Buddhist monks

Singang woot

imposter monk

SLORC

State Law and Order Restoration Council

SPDC

State Peace and Development Council

Swan Arr Shin

People’s Masters of Force, a paramilitary group associated with the USDA, and raised and controlled by local officials to intimidate

Tatmadaw

Burma’s armed forces

USDA

Union Solidarity and Development Association

Yahanpyu Aphwe

Young Monks’ Association

YMBA

Young Men’s Buddhist Association

RBMUF

Radical Buddhist Monks United Front