"Myanmar?s most revered Buddhist leader gave a speech on Monday in which he urged hundreds of military officers to not to fear the sinfulness of taking human life. Despite building a reputation on his interfaith and humanitarian activities, Sitagu Sayadaw has long made excuses for the military?s abuses against Rohingya Muslims. This week, critics said the monk veered into promoting genocide. During his speech, which was delivered at a military base in Kayin State and broadcast live in Myanmar to over 250,000 viewers, Sitagu Sayadaw shared a parable about an ancient Sri Lankan king who was assured by Buddhist clerics that the countless Hindus he had killed only added up to one and a half lives. ?Don?t worry King, it?s a little bit of sin. Don?t worry,” Sitagu Sayadaw said. ?Even though you killed millions of people, they were only one and a half real human beings.”..."