Religious offerings fall by half in cyclone-hit region

by Phanida

Saturday, 02 May 2009 16:54

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – On the eve of the first anniversary of Cyclone Nargis, the offerings made to monasteries fell by half in some townships of the storm-hit Irrawaddy Division. The monks from local monasteries said that the reason for declining offerings to monasteries was the devastation and collapse of the donor devotees' livelihoods and economy. "The offerings fell by 75% especially in rural areas, but in religious matters, it does not matter. Religious studies at these monasteries are going on as usual and only offerings to monasteries have fallen," monk U Kaythawa from Mahawithutarama learning monastic institute in Bogale said. The offerings made at monasteries in Layinkwin village, Pyinsalu, Latputta Township last month during the Thingyan (water festival) fell sharply. "Yes, it has drastically changed because the people are facing difficulties in their livelihood and cannot afford many offerings. Last year, they could offer both blanket and lungyi (sarong). Donation for worship ceremony for aged people was Kyat 500. This year they could offer only soap. Those who could offer about Kyat 100 last year can pay just Kyat 20 this year," Ashin U Awbartha from a monastery said. Although alms for lunch begged by the monks is still enough, the breakfast alms are not adequate and the monks have to beg from their donor devotees in these cyclone devastated villages. "In the current situation, the alms for lunch are adequate but the early morning alms are not enough for us. The donated rice even a half a bag amount has not been received for long. So in these hard times, we have to prepare food ourselves with the offerings offered by our donor devotees," U Awbartha said. Moreover at least 10 monasteries and many religious buildings in Pyinsalu, Latputta Township was damaged in the cyclone and has not been repaired yet. "The damaged buildings are in the same situation as they were when damaged by the cyclone. Some monasteries repaired their buildings. Some monasteries have totally not yet been repaired. It is very difficult for the monks to stay during the forthcoming 3-months long lent," Ashin U Awbatha added. The locals estimated the loss of damaged prayer halls and dharamshalas in this Layinkwin village at Kyat 30 million. During the year after the storm hit their village, Abbot Thitagu donated Kyat 100,000, a rice bag and clothes and 150 pieces of CI roofing. The government Religious Department also donated some offerings and some pieces of CI roofing for these monasteries. Apart from that, there were no other offerings and donations from any other institutions and individuals. With the aid of Kyat 100,000 donated to Layinkwin village by UNDP, 102 orphans were ordained to novicehood and priesthood dedicated to their deceased parents on April i21-23, in Layinkwin village. Ashin U Awbatha is of the opinion that efficient reconstruction work in this storm-hit region was important and crucial for the restoration of the religion as well as monasteries. "The villagers had motorboats in the past, now they have lost everything in the storm and can do nothing. For the development of the village, the business and livelihood of the local people must be rehabilitated. And then religion will flourish again. But at the moment, the people are struggling even for their daily food," U Awbartha said. U Nyarnawuntha from Zeyamadene monastery in Bogale said that despite the declining development in religious matters, they were trying to restore the previous flourishing situation.  < Prev   Next >