Alms Wide Open
We are honored to share how we allocated a generous donation from meditators from far away who still wished to provide crucial support. Their dedication and compassion have made a significant impact on the monastic communities in the Sagaing Hills area. This donation ensured that essential resources reached those in need, reflecting a powerful act of solidarity. Here is the story of our journey and the heartfelt contributions that brought light during these dark times, as told by our team leader.
The Sagaing Hills hold immense spiritual significance in Myanmar. Home to numerous monasteries, pagodas, and meditation centers, this serene region provides a haven for monks, nuns, and lay practitioners seeking spiritual growth. The hills are steeped in history, with ancient stupas and monuments that have attracted pilgrims for centuries. The tranquil environment fosters deep contemplation and spiritual awakening, making it an ideal location for Buddhist education and retreats. The presence of revered teachers and the continuation of traditional practices ensure that the Sagaing Hills remain a vital part of Myanmar's spiritual heritage. In this sacred landscape, the essence of Buddhist teachings is preserved and passed on to future generations, maintaining the region's profound spiritual legacy. This is why I was so delighted to be able to have the privilege to carry out a donation trip there.
I did hear from one monk about their monastery, that is not well known to many people because it is located far from the sacred Sagaing Hills, so it is rare for them to receive outside donations. He asked us how we had heard of their monastery, and we told him that our monastic and lay friends are now involved in some monastic examination-organizing associations in Yangon, as well as throughout other lower parts of Myanmar, and so we were familiar with more monasteries around the country through this work. When we informed all the representative monks from these various monasteries that we were giving a donation from international donors, they were surprised, and one of the monks said: “So that’s why you have something to give now! We were just wondering, because during these days, it is hard for most of the local people to give anything, and not very often for us as monks to receive the alms-rice sacks!”
We invited the monks from the monasteries in that region, and conducted the donation event at a monastery at the foot of the sacred Sagaing Hill. These monasteries which we gave to are highly reputed among the monastics and these sites are known to many people in the country. My uncle, a monk who completed or passed the national monastic examination of Vinaya Dhara and Vinaya Vidhu (the Basket of Monastic Disciplines) held by the government, studied his higher monastic education there. He also used to teach there until a few years ago before the pandemic.
Donations in the Sagaing Hills are particularly rare now, three years on since the terrible coup, and during these challenging times. The region's remote location and the current economic difficulties have made it hard for monasteries to receive consistent support. Our recent donation was a beacon of hope, providing much-needed relief to the monks and nuns. This act of generosity stands out as a significant contribution during a period when such aid is scarce. Thank you to all donors!