Burmese monks have again stepped into the front lines in a moment of national crisis, this time helping to provide money, food, shelter and medical supplies to survivors of Cyclone Nargis.

According to Mandalay residents, many senior monks captured people’s imaginations—and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations—while taking the lead in  organizing effective relief operations in the delta.

Dr. Ashin Nyanissara, also known as Sitagu Sayadaw, hands out relief supplies in Bogalay Township on May 14.
Senior monks in Mandalay and elsewhere, speaking in dhamma [the Buddha’s teachings] talks to laypeople, are also urging people to show direct action through compassion by volunteering time or money to help the needy, in accord with Buddhist teachings.

Mizzima Gon Yi Sayadaw [sayadaw is an abbot’s title] of Mandalay spoke about the refugees’ need of food and shelter in his dhamma talks on May 11 and 12.

“I offered money to Sayadaw, and he got many donations to fund the purchase of supplies. I’m sure this aid is reaching affected people,” said one Mandalay resident.

U Kawthala, also known as Dhamma Sedi Sayadaw, of Mandalay contributed 10 million kyat (US $8,695) from his monastery fund, and his lay followers then donated 120 million kyat (US $104,347) following his dhamma talks in Zay Cho market in Mandalay early last week.

Dr. Ashin Nyanissara, also known as Sitagu Sayadaw, of nearby Sagaing started collecting relief material after the cyclone hit lower Burma, and organized a team of relief workers to go to the storm-stricken area.

He received donations from Burma and abroad and personally handed donations to some survivors.

According to residents in Bogalay Township, Ashin Nyanissara quickly established the Sitagu Asia Royal Emergency Clinic for cyclone victims at a home for the elderly in Bogalay. So far, he has also assisted more than 900 refugees from Bogalay at the Sitagu Association’s monastery in Bogalay.  He also arranged for generators and water filtration systems to be set up in areas around Bogalay.

“Sayadaw Nyanissara brought plastic shelter, food, water and supplies,” said Myo Zaw of  Bogalay Township.

The Ministry of Information has ordered magazines and journals not to publish stories about monks providing aid to the refugees and needy.

Monks played a leading role in the civil uprising in September 2007 against the military government. Many monks were beaten or shot and hundreds were detained in prisons. Many monks went into hiding, fearing arrest and imprisonment.