Koyins on duty - A pindapata after COVID-19 in Myanmar
Two wooden blocks signal loudly a second time at six o’clock, and the novice monks line up barefoot at the monastery’s gate. It’s time for alms round! The familiar morning routine takes shape again, allowing the monastics to interact with the outside world as they’re used to.
With painstaking precision, the ko-yins have transformed their monk’s robes into a neat, concealing suit, hiding their shoulders and neck. Equipped for the day with either an umbrella (those who expect rain) or a fan (those who more expect annoying mosquitos or sunshine), the 15 youngsters are ready. But wait! Don’t forget the face mask! The face cover fits well into the monks’ incognito uniforms, making them even more indistinguishable. But on the long walk, the young boys are frequently tempted to pull it down to breathe more easily….
Far in the front, two shaven boys are starting to bang a gong, shouting a short phrase to signal that monks are on their way, and that the villagers should get ready with their boiled rice out on the street. A ways behind the two boys, the small train of monks follows behind their teacher, U Vijjo.
At the rear of the walking monk trail, a big trolley is pushed forward. About halfway, the monks stop and empty their bowls into the giant pot, enabling the monks to fill up their alms bowls once again. The collected food will become the basis of the monastery’s early lunch. The young men pushing the trolley are all Hpa-an University students, still waiting for the government, with their indecisive COVID-19 regulations, to open up their school again. Until then, they, along with 40 other students, live and learn about Dhamma in the monastery, helping out wherever they are needed, ensuring that their involuntary spare time is valuable.
For over about ninety minutes, they walk through three different villages as one unit, gathering rice in their bowls. From small children up to hunchbacked old grandmas, I see them all standing there today, waiting to serve the monks; barefoot with their different pots, sharing their food patiently once more, after a long, COVID-enforced hiatus. There’s no sign of face masks or any other COVID precautions, except on the monks’ faces. (Since it seems to be only the monks’ responsibility to use a mask, I wonder if this might not become a new requisite for future monks…) The silent trail of monks in the morning has turned into a strong sign that Myanmar is slowly getting back to normal, with only the face mask left as a reminder of a threat that clearly can’t overcome the dedication and need of a supportive community.
Hampus Haraldsson – Hpa-an, Karen State, 31st of July 2020