A Sayadaw accuses the Tatmadaw of destroying Buddhism

A residing monk of a village monastery recently shared a story that shocked all those who heard it. Satellite imagery revealed a site where only ashes could be seen. One of our local citizen journalists texted the Sayadaw as soon as he saw the picture in the story to inquire more about this image, and if the entire monastery, a well-known place serving many in the community, had truly burned down.

He asked the Sayadaw how many houses were burned down in addition to the monastery. The monk answered 13 houses. He shared how an ambulance had been purchased by donors, and was used to support those in need. The ambulance had been donated on the Sayadaw’s mother’s birthday.

The soldiers burned down the garage where the ambulance was parked, along with the monastery’s kitchen next to it. When they came in and raided the monastery compound, they wore shoes, which was highly disrespectful and irregular on monastery grounds. Even worse, they appeared highly intoxicated by drugs, as their eyes were dizzy and red.

When they saw the Sayadaw, they told him that they wouldn’t harm him personally, but insisted on needing to burn down the garage and kitchen in the monastery compound. Also, the three lay-attendants who are the relatives of the abbot and members of the free health and ambulance charity, were taken. They were beaten and tortured for days.

A residing monk commented that the so-called ‘guardian ruler of the Buddhism’ and his followers were only destroying any last remnant of Buddhism through their action. Buddhism was not threatened by those they claimed to be dangers for the faith, but they were the greatest risk of destroying Buddhism in Myanmar.

We are hoping to support this monastery which has just lost so much. Please consider a contribution.