Your Donation Reaches the Monks!
Following is an update from one of our local team members collecting information on the state of monasteries, nunneries, and meditation centers in Myanmar. In this special post, our volunteer shares the experience of actually hand delivering and distributing part of the donation fund that we collected from meditators around the world, and applying it to monastic sites around Monywa. As you will read, monks and nuns marveled at such funds coming to them, largely from strangers, at what has become the greatest ongoing challenge they have ever had to live through. It is truly heartwarming to read an account of how this dana was shared so efficiently and effectively from yogis with great gratitude in their hearts. For those inspired or moved, please consider a donation for this project to be able to continue. Donations can also be sent in country via Wave to 09942359202.
“If there are still such the grateful meditators who can help and support us, I dare to resume the regular teachings for my poor students who are living in their villages poorly and some in combat zones.”
Last weekend when we went and donated alms-rice to the monasteries in the Monywa area for the “Meditator Gratitude Campaign”, the monks were gladly surprised and we actually wept with joy to see them since this is a divine gift at this hard time. Yes, true. Some of them even expressed a belief and said that the Sāsana Pāla Divines (the Guardian Divines of Buddhism) never neglect to look after the Sanghas (monastics), even at times as hard as these. They then gave am Anumodana Dhamma talk, praising the donation and preaching about the fruits of such a meritorious donation at this hard time. The abbots of some monasteries talked about Kāla Dāna (offering or donation made at a right specific time to meet the specific needs). All of these Dhamma talks inspired me with faith and enthusiasm to continue to help the monastics at this crisis. Among them, the most inspirational Dhamma talk which made my mind and heart even more firm in my determination to continue this monastic support program, is a nostalgic Dhamma talk by an aged abbot of a Pariyatti monastery where the Buddhist Pitaka canons are taught to young novices and monks. You might wish to ask me, “How? Sorry. I got confused. How can a nostalgic talk be the most inspirational one at the same time?”
Yes, true. You might get confused. So, please, keep reading.
The very old monk who is in his nineties and the chief monk of a big Pariyatti (study) monastery, was telling us a story of the history of his monastery in nostalgia. His monastery had around 200 monks and novices who studied the basics of monastic disciplines and studies (Buddhist Pitaka canons), before the pandemic. He started his story, telling us that it is a priceless support towards the Pariyatti monasteries whether it is small or big, costly or cheap, and encouraging us to keep doing this to support any Pariyatti monastery, no matter in small or big amount of donation. The voice of the old monk sounds seriously encouraging and meaningful for sponsoring the Sāsana. He continued, “Whenever a nation and society have a crisis, it affects the Sāsana somehow. It is truly a decline for it,” referring to the crises in the country at this moment and the raging pandemic. Emphasizing the importance of the Pariyatti monasteries which play an important role in strengthening, purifying and sustaining the Buddha’s teachings, he told us that the practice can’t be done and realization can’t be achieved without a basic theoretical understanding of Dhamma. (In his own words, “Patipatti can’t be done without Pariyatti.” and “Pativedha can’t be achieved without Pariyatti, the foundation.”)
He moved on to tell us the story of his monastery where over 200 monks and novices lived and studied before the pandemic, yet now, only 20 monastics have been able to remain. Since the monastery is situated in the downtown and crowded area of the town, the habitats around it are mostly vegetable vendors, physical workers and poor people. When the outbreak started, the monks and novices couldn’t go out and around the town to collect alms-food. Hence, the abbot and his assistant monks had to work hard to feed them. Meanwhile, the buildings in the monastery are very close to each other and there are only 9 abodes which accommodate around 200 resident monastics. Due to the precautionary measures, there was no way else to send the residents back to their home, “O my venerable students. Please, go and have a stay in your home villages. This might be a while and just for this Vassa (rain retreat period). Apologies.” He was saying this. He said that the shortage of alms-food was the main first reason which he and his assistant monks were required to send them back. He said, “It was almost a shortage, then.” Although it is mostly the study months after the rain retreat period, he sadly couldn't call or invite the students back from their home areas as the situations are worse day by day, especially after the military takeover. He said with confidence, which it seems he gained it back, “If there are still such the grateful meditators at least, who owed the Sāsana, and if these grateful people can help and support us, I dare to resume the regular teachings for my poor students who are living in their villages poorly and some in combat zones.”
He encouraged us, “If you afford 1 Pyi, just make sure you contribute 1 Pyi to a Pariyatti monastery. It even makes you happy and no burden for you.” [The term Pyi is a Myanmar weight unit which is equivalent to 8 typical (beverage) cans.] He also taught us a Dhamma word, “The essence of Dāna is to cut off our attachment,” and, pointing to the rice sacks (which is in a typical size of 24 Pyis), “This is even big. What’s important is to make ourselves accustomed to practicing frequently, while repeatedly cutting off the attachments on the objects or properties we own. Contribute just as you can, so neither greed nor regret arises to your mind. Make sure you support the foundation of the Sāsana which teaches you to liberate yourself from greed, hatred and delusion.” Also, he gladly did an Anumodāna (rejoicing and praising) at the international meditators’ grateful support to the Sāsana and he concluded in a strong confidence, “Supporting the foundation of Sāsanā (referring to ‘Pariyatti monasteries’) and sponsoring the monastics who are studying the monastic disciplines (Vinayas) and Buddha’s teachings, it means you are growing a tree for all fruits, Patipatti (practicing) and Pativedha (penetration/realization & liberation). As well, you are paving the Path.”
Definitely, this Dhamma talk is actually an inspiration to me to continue my efforts for helping the Buddhist monastics for their comfortable residence and studies as well as in serving their Vipassanādhura (obligation of introspection) and other duties.
Dear meditators around the world, please allow me a final expression to you: As you are helping for the novices’ studies (theoretical knowledge/understanding) and practices ultimately, you are offering the insights truly and there is no doubt you will achieve the insights shortly and strongly. So, this is not only an Āmisa Dāna (offering of material things) but also a Dhamma Dāna which our support really means a pavement for the Buddhist monks’ meditative practices and insights. Let’s offer the Insights!