Your donation reaches Ingyinbin

Recently we updated a developing situation of unrest that was beginning to impact the village of Ingyinbin. Only several days later, conflict rocked the nearby town of Khin U, with 14 youths being gunned down in broad daylight. Gunfire and explosions could be heard from the monastery itself. It was not known at the time, but later reported, that soldiers had entered the town in disguise, wearing civilian clothing and claiming to be refugees fleeing fighting, and once allowed in they took out their weapons and began identifying young men in the town to shoot. With no ability to defend themselves, the young men and boys were simply killed in cold blood.

While this humble monastery from the rural countryside might not be so well-known even within Myanmar, it has a global significance to meditators and practitioners the world over. Because this is the home village of Webu Sayadaw, a 20th century Burmese Buddhist monk who many believe to have become fully enlightened. More than pursuing his own liberation, Webu also played a critical role in encouraging the Dhamma teaching that Sayagyi U Ba Khin was to do, and in supporting the establishment of his International Meditation Center (IMC) in Yangon. A recluse himself who rarely left his hut, Webu broke all precedent by agreeing to visit IMC in person on several occasions, once meeting with a group of Western students who would go on to be Vipassana Teachers in their own right and always remember this moment. SN Goenka would be one of many students who benefited from this center, and if not for Webu, it is almost certain that the worldwide vipassana movement based on the Ledi Sayadaw tradition would never have gotten off the ground.

Thankfully, meditators around the world have responded, and the donations have been coming in. We urgently sent out the first installment to Ashin Mandala, who gratefully reported its receipt and has allocated it immediately to the critical food and medicine needs of his monastery and surrounding village.

The beauty in this reciprocity is truly something to appreciate! Foreign yogis have benefited from a life-transforming spiritual technique, which never would have been possible without the contribution of this small village monastery in rural Myanmar. Now, in their hour of great need, a handful of these meditators have given back to support them through these terrible times. The local community appreciates this and express their deep gratitude for the the metta and support being displayed.

And for those who would still like to give, please do consider a contribution, as there is still no end in sight for the monks and villagers in Ingyinbin struggling to survive as the conflict continues to inch closer.