Supporting monasteries during a pandemic
As the coronavirus sweeps throughout the world, developing countries such as Myanmar are facing extraordinary problems. Inga Bergman, a meditator who visited the country a few years ago, has begun a campaign to help out some monasteries that are especially struggle as access to markets and supporters begin to dry up. We encourage readers to consider donating to the campaign she has begun.
“This is my first personal fundraising and may your generosity be a gift for my future birthday, appreciation of our friendship, and/or a desire to share with the less fortunate. We are all in different situations at the moment and it may sound like a peculiar case for the western mind, but right now there is an urgent need.
Three years ago while traveling in Myanmar, I met Myo Myo, who is a local guide and a children's teacher. Myo Myo became an orphan at the age of 9 and has since lived in monasteries, where he teaches impoverished children without homes or family who are also living in the monasteries. Myo Myo is asking for financial help for the monastery that he is staying in right now and a few surrounding nunneries. Why is this happening?
Myanmar still holds the Theravadan tradition where monks to this day rely on alms for most of their food. Alms are an element of a spiritual relationship between a monk and a lay (householder) person. It's not a charity in the Western sense. The monks go out in the morning in rural and urban areas carrying their alms bowls to receive rice and other food items for their two daily meals, they provide what is called a “field of merit” for the alms-giver, who gains merit by the act of giving. If to believe the Buddhist scriptures, The passage from the Itivuttika cites Buddha words: ..."If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given,..."
During the lockdown due to COVID-19, the monks cannot go out and receive food. Due to the language barrier, I asked the person with local contacts in Myanmar to investigate the case and talk with Myo Myo in Burmese. They are experiencing hardships right now and urgently need food and medical supplies. Myanmar is one of the poorer countries in the world with a per capita income of $1,200. While the government is trying to assist households with some rice and oil, thus far help has not reached the monasteries and they have to rely on outside donors.
To me, this call for help was equivalent to a monk coming to my door with a bowl. I see it as an honor too. Because this year I have taken on a position with a small stipend, I feel a need to also involve my friends and neighbors in this opportunity to help. Who knows, perhaps for their own merits :). The dollar goes a long way in Myanmar, so any amount is appreciated and none is too small.”