Ashin Dhammasara — Monk — Irrawaddy Division

Sadness

In Myanmar, the people from Irrawaddy divisions are in grave danger. Nargis destroyed many villages. As a member of one of these villages, I have never experienced anything like this storm. When it came, I felt both overwhelming shock and sadness. I have deep compassion and empathy for those who don’t have food, water, and shelter. To say the least, if you look at this experience from a Buddhist perspective, it is possible to get a very valuable life lesson. As someone who has suffered greatly from this storm, I want to thank you for your generous support. I am looking forward to seeing the benefits of your future acts of generosity. Thank you.

Htun Htun — Gitameit Teacher

Day after day, the number of refugee camps and their populations are steadily increasing. Thus far, we have received both unexpected help and unexpected difficulties. I am very surprised to find myself searching for ways to solve all of these problems. But despite the overwhelming difficulties, I dare not retreat.

In the five areas in South Dagon, according to official recorders, there are only 200 homeless people. But in reality, there is much more because so many people are staying with their neighbors and friends. So it’s actually pretty hard to estimate the real numbers of the homeless. People are staying in their neighbors’ houses because there isn’t any more space to stay in the refugee camps. These refugees begged us to consider their situation. But after discussing their predicament, we found no satisfactory solution.

The leader of the ward promised that he would distribute supplies to the 650 homeless people. We were happy to see him carry out his words. Before the storm, these people already lived difficult lives. But now, access to sufficient food, water, and shelter is nearly impossible to satisfy. At least, most people in our camps are still healthy. They have bathing water because the monastery has a generator to pump water. So we continue to supply them with fuel to power the generator.

You know I heard something today from one woman. Her words made such an impact on me that I felt goose bumps. As she was hugging a small bag of rice that I gave her, she murmured to herself, “I’m really satisfied with just this. I’m going to eat today.” I thought that before today, she was eating only potage or maybe nothing at all. How long has it been since her last meal?

The most dire necessity is roofing. Since yesterday, refugees have been ordered to return to their homes. But their homes have neither roofs nor walls. And there isn’t any money to buy materials to repair anything. When I discussed these issues with the ward leader, he told me that he ordered the refugees to go home. He was under the impression that building supplies would not come until people saw them sitting in their homes with nothing.

Anonymous Gitameit Student

When I distributed rice packages, I intimately experienced the refugees’ condition. Because of their desperation, they don’t share among each other when we give them food. To tell you the truth, it seems like their hearts are filled with greed. This isn’t a typical kind of greed. It’s greed to survive. Although this greed is understandable because of their condition, from a Buddhist perspective, it’s really unhealthy for the mind.

In fact, as Buddhists, we believe that if one has a greedy state of mind, it will persist in the future. As a result, they will continue suffer. This really bothers me. But at least I have a moment of happiness when they get to eat. You know it really makes my heart ache to see so many children among the refugees. In fact, I think they make up about 2/3 of all the refugees. Being innocent, the children have no sense of greed when they eat. However, I am afraid that if this condition continues their pure minds will be spoiled.