They also refused to perform rituals for government officials, army officers, and their families, an exceptionally serious step in a fervently religious society. By September 22, thousands of shaven-headed monks, a sea of reddish hues, walked along Rangoon’s glistening, rain-swept avenues, chanting the Metta Sutta, an ancient discourse on compassion, which includes the lines: sabbe satta bhavantu skitatta [May all beings enjoy happiness and comfort] sukino va khemino hontu [May they feel safe and secure]
