Why are Buddhist monks attacking Muslims?

Of all the moral precepts instilled in Buddhist monks the promise not to kill comes first, and the principle of non-violence is arguably more central to Buddhism than any other major religion. So why have monks been using hate speech against Muslims and joining mobs that have left dozens dead?

This is happening in two countries separated by well over 1,000 miles of Indian Ocean - Burma and Sri Lanka. It is puzzling because neither country is facing an Islamist militant threat. Muslims in both places are a generally peaceable and small minority.
Posted by Unknown 5/02/2013

Muslims protest in London against SL govt.

Lankan Muslims opt out
The demonstration staged by a group of Muslims opposite the Sri Lankan High Commission in London last week.

The protesters warned of Jihad (holy war) if Buddhists and the Sri Lankan government continued "to oppress Muslims".

However, they said that if the Sri Lankan government wants peace, they will be happy to have a dialogue.
A demonstrator, Abu Yusuf, said although Sri Lanka is thousands of miles away, every problem a Muslim faces in any part of the world is another Muslim’s concern. He said that Muslims in Sri Lanka were attacked because their presence is conceived as a threat.

"We are a threat. We are a threat to all kind of tyrannies and oppressive regimes", he said.

Why are Buddhists attacking Muslims when Buddhism is a peace-loving religion?, he asked.
Posted by Unknown 4/14/2013