A Handful of Rice, a World of Compassion: Lessons from Ledi Sayadaw
This essay is written by a Burmese contributor reflecting on his experiences and the inspiration he has drawn from the practice of almsgiving and the teachings of Ledi Sayadaw, who came from his hometown of Monywa. He has asked it to be shared with international meditators as a call to join in the spirit of compassion and support for the monastic community during these challenging times. He is also leading the effort to help in establishing a new Alms Rounds Project, in which foreign meditators may contribute to the alms being offered to Burmese monks, nuns, and novices.
“The act of alms round not only humbles the monk but also cultivates deep respect and gratitude for the laity’s kindness—a reminder of the essential interconnectedness between the monastic and lay communities.”
Dear Dhamma Fellows and Meditators,
This morning, as part of our ongoing almsgiving, we offered rice with cooked chicken and potatoes to the monks and novices, marking the eighth week of this initiative. We were deeply moved by the sight of the young novices whispering excitedly to each other, "It's chicken curry! Let's go fast." Their innocent joy was palpable, and even the older monks, including one from a remote forest monastery, expressed their gratitude. He noted how much our almsgiving has meant to them, particularly on pre-sabbath days when nourishing meals are scarce due to the nuns, who typically provide alms, being away collecting their own sustenance in Mandalay. This area, nestled between the holy Sagaing and Minwon Hills—lands where many Buddhist arhats and Weizas achieved their spiritual goals—is home to numerous monasteries and nunneries, but very few laypeople. Thus, the monks and nuns largely rely on the support of each other for their daily needs.
In the afternoon, I found myself reflecting on the inspiring life of the Most Revered Maha Ledi Sayadaw as I read his biography. It was deeply moving to learn about his tireless dedication to serve the monastic communities in Monywa, my home region. Ledi Sayadaw voluntarily offered unique services for the monastics, calling himself a 'Servitor of the Sanghas.' He dedicated himself to Sangha Veyāvacca, or service to the community of monks, which included gathering alms for both his own students and elderly monks in other monasteries for over two decades. His commitment went beyond providing food—he also filled water pots and tanks for the monks, ensuring their basic needs were met to allow them to focus entirely on their studies and practice.
Ledi Sayadaw, a monk from my home region of Monywa, devoted himself selflessly to the service of the monastic community, calling himself a "Servitor of the Sanghas." For over 20 years, he gathered alms food to support his monastic students, ensuring their studies were not interrupted by the challenges of daily survival. His dedication extended beyond his own monastery—he also provided for elderly monks in other monasteries, collected alms, fetched water, and even performed the humble task of cleaning toilets. Ledi Sayadaw would often wake up before dawn, visiting various monasteries to fill water pots and clean toilets, so that the monks would not feel any hesitation in using the facilities. His determination to support the monastic community was unyielding, and he inspired many through his actions. His devotion to making life easier for others embodied the purest form of Dhamma practice, one that touched me deeply as I compared it to my own brief experience as a novice.
In 2014, I spent seven days as a novice monk during a New Year meditation retreat with my friends, a transformative experience that revealed the roots of my own pride. We had to go alms round for our food, and on the first day, I felt an intense sense of awkwardness and shyness. I remember feeling something strange, though I couldn’t quite put it into words. I eventually realized that it stemmed from my extreme pride—coming from a wealthy family, I was unaccustomed to asking for anything, and the alms round required me to set aside that pride. I confided in my meditation teacher about my feelings, and he advised me to cultivate loving-kindness (Metta) towards those who offered alms while they were giving to me. He explained that by focusing on their generosity and sending them Metta, I could transform my discomfort into gratitude.
This simple shift in mindset changed everything. This simple shift in mindset brought about a surprising transformation. Instead of focusing on my own discomfort, I began to appreciate the generosity of each sponsor, and my previous feelings of pride and awkwardness disappeared. I came to understand the great wisdom behind the Buddha's teachings on the practice of alms round. It was not only a way to provide sustenance for the monks, but also a profound practice in humility and gratitude. The act of alms round not only humbles the monk but also cultivates deep respect and gratitude for the laity's kindness—a reminder of the essential interconnectedness between the monastic and lay communities. It teaches monks to see each handful of rice as filled with the generosity and goodwill of the donors, and serves as a reminder of their commitment to walking the Path toward the Ultimate Calm.
Ledi Sayadaw's actions exemplified this profound relationship. Despite the reluctance of some monks to accept his help, he persisted, explaining, "In countless past lives, my hands have been used for wives and children. Let me use them now to serve the monastics in this life." He rose early, sometimes before dawn, to perform these humble tasks, emphasizing the value of voluntary service. His encouragement to his disciples was simple yet powerful: "While the teachings of the Buddha are still present, take every opportunity to serve the Sangha. It is a privilege that won't always be available."
One particularly memorable story from his biography involved a laywoman from Hlay-ku village. She harbored resentment towards a monk in her village and refused to offer him alms. Ledi Sayadaw gently reminded her of the immense value of seeing a monk in robes—a symbol more precious than the wealth of kings. He shared a story about a man who, upon seeing a scrap of a monk's robe, experienced deep reverence, resulting in rebirth in celestial realms and, eventually, enlightenment. Ledi Sayadaw urged her to understand that the opportunity to give even a single scoop of rice to a monk was an immense blessing, one that could not be taken for granted. His words inspired her, and she began offering alms with a renewed sense of appreciation for the robe and its significance.
Ledi Sayadaw's dedication to almsgiving was not limited to his own efforts; he led a movement to ensure the survival of struggling monastics in Monywa. He encouraged the lay community to organize collective almsgiving at local pagodas, an initiative that evolved into an annual festival. Unfortunately, the event has not been held in recent years due to the pandemic, and the passing of U Myo Tint Aung, a key figure in organizing the festival. My own father, who worked alongside him, tried to revive it, but the challenges posed by COVID-19 made it impossible.
Reflecting on these stories, I feel deeply committed to continuing our regular almsgiving every Monday. Ledi Sayadaw's perseverance and humility remind me that true Dhamma practice lies not just in meditation but also in serving others selflessly. The story of his campaign to collect alms food for monks during times of scarcity is a powerful reminder of the strength found in community. He led an effort to bring together laypeople and ensure that all monks had enough to eat, transforming these donations into an annual event celebrated by the entire community. These stories have inspired me to make sure our almsgiving continues, and I hope you too will be inspired to contribute in any way you can. The hardships faced by the monastic community are profound, and it is an honor to play even a small role in easing their burden. I hope that many of you—our international meditators and supporters—will feel inspired to join us in this noble endeavor. At a time when so many monastics are struggling for basic sustenance, your contributions can make a real difference.
May the true teachings endure. May respect for the Dhamma flourish.