i read this article here ( http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2549404.ece?token=null&offset=12) and it says that monks are not allowed to keep or store food. is this due to their religion, or to the government? or something else?
2007-09-27 23:57:51 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Because they have given a vow not to own anything, even food. Monks usually get their food from common people everyday.
2007-09-28 00:00:41 · answer #1 · answered by neshama 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Myanmar is a very different place than most of you would ever see. Yes I have been there.
Monks are to receive food every day from the people and what they do not need for the day is to be given to those that are in need. This is part of their religious teachings.
The government does not allow anyone to hoard food or much of anything else. The government controls everything.
That is one nation of people that has endured tremendous hardship and still can maintain a reasonable sense of fairness.
It is very difficult to tell people about that ation unless they have been out in the world and know some about how it is with most people on earth.
At this time I am only a three hour drive from Myanmar/ Burma.
Burma is an acronym given to the area by the British when they colonized the area.
2007-09-28 00:22:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Buddhist monk's life is simple and virtuous. He does not seek happiness in fleeting distractions and worldly material pleasure. Instead, he strives for the inner peace within and the light of wisdom, which arise when the mind becomes still and calm.
In Burma,90 percent of its people identify themselves as Theravada Buddhists.The alms ritual is one of the most important practices in Theravada Buddhism.Traditionally, Buddhist monks must receive alms only in the form of food and other basic needs such as robes, paper, umbrellas, simple sandals, soup bowls, and fans. They must walk to seek alms and not use other means of transportation
However, many people in Yangon have changed alms from food to money.This is allowed as long as the money is not a large amount.But some religious leaders criticise the practice of giving money as alms to monks.one senior monk belonging to Mandalay’s Mahagandhayone monastery, the biggest in Burma. says “Money is like power. It will create ego. The monk should be able to get rid of his ego.”
2007-09-28 00:22:09 · answer #3 · answered by squish 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those Burmese monks are Buddhists. Buddhist monks are not supposed to own anything. It has to do with their religion, something about how liberating it is to have no materialistic possessions. They get food from people on the streets daily, so they get enough to eat, but they are not supposed to keep food or anything else. They are supposed to focus on spirituality rather than possessions.
2007-09-28 00:03:06 · answer #4 · answered by undir 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, can't you see what the gubmint over there is doing to them presently? They are beating and slaughtering them to death because they are engaging in a peaceful march opposing the monopolized, and violent gubmint over there right now as we speak, so what makes you think it could be anything else but the gubmint preventing them from storing food???
How ridiculous. Of course, MAN at it again. Poop on most all men!
2007-09-28 00:13:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Men creating chaos as usual.
Blah
2007-09-28 12:21:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋