Alongside other influential Buddhist leaders in Myanmar, he participated in a meeting with Pope Francis to discuss interfaith relations during his visit to the country in November 2017.
[5][7] He criticized the military, referring to them as "robbers and thieves", alleging that they disobeyed the president's orders, abused their power by intimidating civilians with their weapons, and unconstitutionally occupied parliamentary seats without an election.
[10] In the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, he was detained, along with state leaders and political activists, when junta troops raided his monastery within hours of seizing power.
He spoke out against Sitagu Sayadaw, who has close ties to junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, for making discriminatory remarks against other religions and failing to condemn the military's killings of civilians.
[5] The civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG) offered its condolences, stating that he had carried out exceptional religious duties and stood alongside the people in their struggle against military dictatorships since 1988, providing guidance and inspiration.