HOUSE OF THE WEEK
An abundance of space at FMI City
CERTAINLY, space is not a problem in this house – once you get there. Over the Hlaing River, 45 minutes from downtown, there is a large one-storey house in a big compound waiting for someone ready to trade time for space. ...moreMonks get human resource training at Hmawbi seminar
BUDDHIST monks need to upgrade their professional skills in order to preach Theravada Buddhism and carry out humanitarian work, a well-known Buddhist monk said.
Some Buddhist monks are doing humanitarian work in their community, such as teaching poor children, but they do not always have the skills or knowledge to undertake these activities, said Venerable Chekinda, of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary.
“We need to upgrade their skills professionally by providing training, resources and facilities for them,” the Venerable Chekinda said.
Training to enhance capacity-building for Buddhist monks was provided to 138 monks from all over the country during the last week of November at the Dhammaduta Zaytawun Tawya Chekinda monastery in Hmawbi township, Yangon Division.
“This is the second course. Last year we trained 85 monks who are well versed in Buddhist literature,” the Venerable Chekinda said.
The training has allowed participants to speak confidently in public, write articles on Buddhist literature and carry out humanitarian work, said Dr Chekinda.
“We especially encourage younger monks to engage in humanitarian work, running orphanages or engaging in monastic education,” he said.
Venerable Sina Nannda, a trainee at the course who holds an MA degree from India’s Nalada University, said he was conducting monastic education in Shwebo, Sagaing Division.
“The training broadens my outlook on how to carry out humanitarian activities successfully and effectively,” he said, noting the cultural and financial difficulties he faces in running his school.
The training focuses on writing and teaching skills, meditation and non-profit work for social and humanitarian affairs. Monks also learn how to compile Buddhist literature, teach it, preach Dhamma and demonstrate Vipassana meditation from different points of view.
“I’ve joined this program for the first time through a non-profit organisation, ShineHope,” said Venerable Sobhita, the chief and principal of the International Buddhist Education Centre based at Sagaing.
“I’ve spent many years in social work teaching novices, nuns and poor children in my community, and I joined this program believing that it would be helpful for my career,” said Venerable Sobhita.
“The purpose of the training is to provide technical assistance to those who are already qualified in Buddhist literature. We aim to produce outstanding Buddhist monks when it comes to preaching the Buddha’s teaching, demonstrating meditation and their current humanitarian work,” the Venerable Chekinda told The Myanmar Times.
The course is open to applicants holding at least Buddhist matriculation or bachelor’s degree, with some exceptions for those from remote areas.
“Some trainees are better than me in terms of literary skills. Some have earned the Biwontha title after passing the highest exam in Buddhism. Some are PhD candidates,” he said.
“Venerable Chekinda has provided lectures and practical methods that we’ve never encountered before,” Venerable Ashin Kawninya said.
