We shared in a recent post about how a British man decided to ask his friends and family for just one thing for his birthday: to divert any presents they may wish to give to him, and give to Burmese monks and nuns instead. Having received these funds from him, our team has set about to find those monasteries and nunneries in most need during these difficult days, and we are delighted to report that our first rounds of donations have reached their target. Please read the following report from our local team, and please also consider a contribution so that we may continue our good deeds!

“Whatever way we choose to give, we should do so with an open heart and a willingness to help. ”

“The abbot of the monastic school in Amarapura to which we contributed alms-rice, told our focal person of the Mandalay area that there was an increase in the number of boarding students in his monastery since he brought them from his native village and surrounding villages in Sagaing Region. There are 80 boarding students living and studying there. Since his monastic school offers a continuous free education for them, he has had costs for hiring volunteer teachers, buying stationeries and textbooks for the students, feeding the students and looking after their health. His school is also in need of learning aid materials for the children.

Allow me to share some words that the kind Sayadaw has reminded of us now. First, you should know that in Burma, generosity is not just about giving money to those in need. It is about giving of yourself – your time, your energy, your resources – to help others. It is an important part of our society and our culture, and it is something that we should all strive to do.

As the Sayadaw said: "In our practice, the act of giving is indispensable. It is the very foundation of our religion. The Buddha himself was a great giver, and he taught his followers to be the same. He said that giving is the noblest of all the virtues, and that it will purify our hearts and make us more compassionate."

Therefore, he reminds us that giving is an important part of who we are as Burmese people, and it is something that we should all strive to do. It is a way to show our compassion for others, and it is a way to make a difference in the world. When we give, we are making a statement that we care about others and that we want to help.

There are many ways to be generous. We can give of our time, our energy, or our resources. We can volunteer our time to help others, we can donate money to causes we care about, or we can give items we no longer need to those who do. But whatever way we choose to give, we should do so with an open heart and a willingness to help.

Generosity is an important part of who we are as Burmese people, and it is something that we should all strive to do. It is a way to show our compassion for others, and it is a way to make a difference in the world. When we give, we are making a statement that we care about others and that we want to help. He ended by reminding that we should let us all make a commitment to be more generous in our lives, and to help make a difference in the world.

Dear donors, by giving as you have to this birthday celebration, your generosity has transcended culture and identity.”

Generosity of Spirit