Don't neglect the nuns!

Buddhist nuns in Myanmar don’t have it easy, as they have to contend with the fact that many lay supporters prefer giving to monks as it is considered more merit.

This can make life very difficult for nuns, who like monks, have to rely on the kindness of strangers to get by. This can thus lead to having to spend more time to procure food from donors, and unfortunately, it is also not uncommon for them to be given substandard food.

When it comes to the division of labor in a typical Buddhist monastery in Myanmar, the nuns do much of the work while the monks primarily study scriptures and meditate. The nuns cook, clean, and perform other necessary tasks to keep the monastery running smoothly.

This disparity is unfair and unjust, and it highlights the discrimination that Buddhist nuns face in Myanmar. The nuns work just as hard as the monks, but they are not given the same level of respect or support, and can even be viewed upon as second-class monastics.

Additionally, nuns in Myanmar are often poorly educated and have little opportunity to advance within the religious hierarchy. This is in contrast to monks, who receive a higher level of religious training and are able to occupy greater positions of authority.

All of this can be a very frustrating existence, especially when one sees the monks being offered to regularly. This is why one needs to remember that the nuns are also doing a very important job! They are helping to spread the Buddha’s teachings, and they are doing so in a very difficult situation. The life of a Buddhist nun is not an easy one, but they do it out of their love for the Buddha and his teachings. They know that by helping others, they are helping themselves. They are an inspiration to all who meet them on the path, and are a reminder that even in the hardest of times, we can still find peace.

As we bring this understanding to the current times, we have to keep in mind that if Buddhist nuns in Burma can be neglected during normal times, what they are facing since the military coup has been even more challenging! That's why we at Better Burma are making sure to highlight their stories and allocate donation funds specifically for them. In the picture accompanying this text, our local contacts spent a day visiting a number of nunneries throughout the Sagaing Hills and offered the nuns various foodstuffs, medicine, and other necessities.

We believe that it's important to support Buddhist nuns in Burma. They are an essential part of the fabric of society, and they deserve our help. We thank all donors who have allowed us to support their lives during these challenging days.