Tuesday 26 August 2008

Former Maggin abbot banned from collecting alms

Aug 25, 2008 (DVB)–Elderly monk U Nandiya, who was forced out of Maggin monastery when it was closed down in November last year, has been prevented from collecting alms by local authorities.

U Nandiya was the temporary head monk at Maggin monastery at the time of its closure on 29 November last year, having taken over when his son, the previous abbot, was arrested.

U Nandiya was forced to leave Maggin monastery and was sent to Myo Thit in Taungdwingyi township, Magwe division.

Ko Aung Ko, a resident of Taungdwingyi, said the pressure from the authorities had made it difficult for U Nandiya to support himself.

"The monk is facing a lot of trouble receiving alms from villagers as he has been forbidden from doing that by the local authorities who are also pressuring villagers not to donate anything to him," Ko Aung Ko said.

"He is very miserable at his age with no one to take care of him and provide him with medical support."

Residents said the monk had been finding ways to make ends meet, but was still struggling due to the authorities’ restrictions.

U Nandiya is currently staying in a monastery compound in Shwe Kyaung Gon village.

Reporting by Yee May Aung

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