The Giving Bowl

Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, the country has faced unprecedented economic collapse, leaving millions struggling to survive. Among those deeply affected are the monastic communities—monks, nuns, and novices—who traditionally rely on the generosity of laypeople for their daily sustenance. The World Food Programme reports that over 13 million people are food insecure due to a combination of political instability, conflict, economic downturn, poverty, and climate-related shocks. This widespread crisis has disrupted one of the country’s oldest and most cherished traditions: the alms round.

In Myanmar, the alms round is a deeply spiritual practice that connects laypeople with the Sangha. Each morning, monks walk barefoot through villages and towns, receiving food offerings from the community. These donations provide both physical nourishment for the monastics and spiritual merit for the donors. However, in the wake of the coup, this centuries-old custom is under threat. Economic hardship has made it increasingly difficult for families to offer food, and communal alms-giving charities—once the backbone of support for monastic communities for over a century, since the time of Ledi Sayadaw—have largely disappeared due to the conflict.

The reasons for this decline are manifold. Security concerns under the current political regime have deterred volunteers from organizing alms-giving events, which often require early morning gatherings that risk attracting the attention of authorities. Simultaneously, the economic downturn has left many families unable to afford regular contributions. In cities like Monywa, where over 40,000 monastics once relied on local charities, the impact has been devastating. Once-thriving communal alms-giving associations have dissolved, leaving monks and novices without the consistent, nutritious meals they depend on.

This crisis is especially dire in rural areas and the outskirts of cities, where poverty is more acute and monasteries often serve as the spiritual and cultural hubs of their communities. In places like the Sagaing Hills, home to thousands of monks, novices, and nuns, the ripple effects of the economic collapse are starkly visible. Many monastics now subsist on sparse meals of rice and vegetables, with protein-rich foods like meat and eggs becoming rare. The lack of nourishment not only affects their physical health but also threatens their ability to continue the rigorous spiritual practices that form the heart of their monastic life.

In response to this urgent need, we have launched an initiative to restore and sustain alms-giving traditions across Myanmar, which any donor can contribute to by earmarking their contribution to this cause.

Our efforts begin in the Sagaing Hills, where we are organizing regular alms-giving events to provide monks and novices with cooked rice and nourishing curries such as chicken, fish, or eggs. By establishing a consistent schedule of weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly alms offerings, we aim to bring stability and relief to these monastic communities.

In addition to direct alms-giving, we are working to revive the communal alms-giving charities that once thrived in Myanmar. These associations, which were often quarter-wide or township-wide, played a vital role in ensuring that monastics received regular meals. By offering financial and logistical support, we hope to help these charities resume their noble work, empowering them to once again serve as lifelines for monks, nuns, and novices across the country.

This initiative is not merely about providing food; it is about preserving a sacred tradition that lies at the heart of Myanmar’s spiritual and cultural identity. The alms round is more than a means of sustenance—it is a practice that fosters connection, compassion, and generosity between laypeople and the monastic community. Its decline is a profound loss, not only for the monastics who depend on it but for the society that draws spiritual strength from this act of giving.

Through this project, we aim to restore not only the physical nourishment of Myanmar’s monastics but also the spiritual vibrancy of the communities they serve. By supporting alms-giving traditions, we can help ensure that monks and novices receive the care they need to continue their spiritual practice, even in the face of immense challenges.

We invite those who feel a connection to Myanmar’s Buddhist heritage to join us in this effort. Your support will directly impact the lives of thousands of monastics, providing them with the sustenance they need to persevere. Together, we can ensure that this ancient tradition remains alive, offering hope and nourishment to those who dedicate their lives to the Dhamma. Your generosity can help bridge the gap between crisis and resilience, preserving the spiritual heart of Myanmar for generations to come.