Magway monastery abbot U Pamauk Kha has told Mizzima that he will register a case against the US Ambassador, a painter and a man who posted a photo of his painting on the FB Facebook page of the US embassy in Yangon.

“At an art exhibition sponsored by the US embassy, an image of Lord Buddha, who is worshipped in Myanmar by about 86% of people, was exhibited with the face covered by a respirator and the lower part of the painting looking like the garment worn by women. This painting hurts the religious sentiments of the 86% of the country.” Abbot U Pamauk Kha said.

The abbot will file a direct complaint at Kamayut Township court on August 1 in the morning.

A Myanmar youth painted the Buddha image and it was posted on US embassy Facebook page on July 26 and then many objected and criticized this painting by leaving comments such as ‘Lord Buddha is not for your illustration’, ‘You must show respect to religion.’

The US embassy removed the post from its Facebook page on July 27 and issued a statement on this issue saying, “We stand with freedom of expression. We hope this art could instigate and make awareness of serious environment conservation issues with profound thinking and considerations.”

The statement further says they respect all religions.

The US embassy organized and sponsored this ‘Insight Out’ art exhibition which shows and portrays voices of Myanmar youths with the theme of environment conservation and menace of air pollution.