Continued Horrors in Ingyinbin
Yesterday we shared some tragic news about a site intimately connected to Webu Sayadaw, a revered Burmese monk who died in 1977, and reputed to be an Arahant. He urged his followers to stay constantly mindful of the breath using ānāpāna, always aiming for liberation. His legacy continues at Ingyinbin Monastery through U Mandala, who teaches meditation to local and international visitors.
However, the military coup disrupted Ingyinbin’s peace, with nearby airstrikes affecting the monastery, and a threat of total assault now looming. U Mandala, suffering from severe gout, had to be rushed to urgent medical treatment, and the fighting has hindered his return. Fortunately, we have heard that despite the chaos and his own severe medical challenges, U Mandala remains mentally strong. However, due to these circumstances, most of the monastic residents at Ingyinbin have dispersed, and the future of the monastery is uncertain, as is the village. Donations are encouraged to support these vulnerable communities.
Before posting the most recent updates, it is worth underscoring here that Webu Sayadaw also had a deep connection to the neighboring villages of Khin-U Township. His alms routine was to visit a different hamlet each day of the week—Pauk Taw, Saw Gyi, Nga Jain, Phan Khar Kone, Madaung Hla, Taè Gyi, or Tha Nut Sain—to allow villagers equal opportunity to share in the very great merit of offering a fully enlightened being alms food. In this way, he built a strong bond with the people in each community, his humble daily walks symbolizing a profound spiritual connection between them.
These are the villages that are now burning.…
Ingyinbin village
The situation in Khin-U Township has spiraled into a crisis of unimaginable proportions. For four consecutive days, the military junta has unleashed a campaign of terror following a successful assault by a People’s Defense Force (PDF) on Madaung Hla Village on August 17th, The military retaliated by systematically setting fire to civilian villages and leaving devastation in its wake. Since September 2, eight villages in the northern part of Khin-U have been torched, displacing thousands and obliterating entire communities. This brutal crackdown has already forced tens of thousands to flee from their homes, and now the situation is deteriorating even further.
As of today, September 6th, the flames continue to spread. The villages of Nga Kyine, Ingyinbin, Saw Gyi, Thanat Sein, and Phan Khar Kone were hit on September 3rd, followed by Pauk Taw and Hne Twin on September 4th. This morning, Sesone Lay Village was the latest to be consumed by fire.
Ingyinbin, once a sanctuary for meditators from around the world seeking peace and liberation, has now been dragged into the conflict. The situation for has since gone from bad to worse. After 12 military airstrikes rattled the nearby village of Madaung Hla, some of which landed only three miles from Ingyinbin, the once tranquil village has become engulfed in fear. Reports have indicated that at least 40 homes in Ingyinbin have been burned to the ground. Even the sacred Ingyinbin Monastery was not spared! Troops entered the monastery, ransacked the cupboards, and were prepared to loot its sacred items. Only the intervention of a senior officer prevented them from desecrating the site further. Still, soldiers left with all that they could steal, and there is nothing to prevent them from coming back.
U Mandala, the monk who who has been overseeing Ingyinbin Monastery, has been caught in this nightmare. He had to urgently leave for medical attention for his gout, and his return cannot be predicated. In the face of this uncertainty, the monastery’s residents, mostly young novice monks, have scattered: parents have come to take their children home, others have disrobed entirely, and the monastery’s nuns have been sent to nearby nunneries in safer areas. Only a skeleton crew of 20 monks remains at the monastery, but their safety is precarious, as further violence and air raids are anticipated in the region.
U Mandala is now physically safe but far from well. When we spoke to him, the weariness in his voice was palpable. He described the horror he had endured, the sound of bombs dropping in the distance, and the fear that has gripped the community. "I'm not the only one suffering," he said, his voice weak but still filled with the resolve of a man who has dedicated his life to the spiritual welfare of others.
But even relatively “safe” in an urban area now, U Mandala does not feel it. He has heard rumors of impending attacks and feels an eerie sense of dread about what might come next. “Don’t think this town is safe either,” he told us. “We are hearing things, but we don’t know when it will happen. So many lives in our village have been destroyed. So many lives are now ruined.”
The military’s brutal campaign in this area is being led by U Wathawa, a monk who has betrayed his principles and aligned himself with the junta. The military’s Pyu Saw Htwe militias are under his command, carrying out acts of destruction with no regard for human life or the sanctity of religious sites. They are torching villages, displacing families, and leaving nothing but ash and ruin in their wake. An informant we spoke to did not hide his deep disappointment in the actions of U Wathawa, saying: "This boy isn’t scared of the present or future. He knows no principles. No Vinaya. Wise ones don’t act like this. But they [the military] want him like this—someone who doesn’t follow the Noble Path."
This is not just an attack on villages—it is an assault on the very fabric of life now. It is a war against the people, their homes, their livelihoods, and their hope. And it is happening right now, as we speak.
During these difficult times, one of the most powerful things we can all offer is metta (loving-kindness). We humbly ask you to keep these communities in your thoughts, sending them strength, compassion, and peace. If you feel moved to do more, even a small donation earmarked to this region can help provide immediate relief like food and shelter. Thank you for any support, in any form.