GENEROSITY BRINGS GOOD COMPANY


"If you give away one set, you get two back. I have no doubt of that," he says.

The Shwe Taung Gon Sâsana Yeiktha Sayadaw is often calling the author to come perform the ritual of accepting his robes. Though Sayadaw stows away the robes which come to him, before long some more have arrived. It is at those times that he often gives the little speech above. I am sure it is not just for appearances. He says it because he really believes it. Sayadaw is frequently giving away robes. Every year on Sayadaw's birthday, for one, not only robes, but alms food, as well, is donated. After drawing lots, useful things like sandals, umbrellas, hand-towels, soap, and toothpaste are offered to the ordained yogis. Robes and sandals are also offered annually on the occasion of the Thamanay Kyaw examination, which is held in Yangon. For the Mahâbodhi Forest Monastery sect's Vinaya recitation ceremony, robes, umbrellas, towels, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and such, are offered every year. There is the annual robe offering ceremony at the beginning of the rainy season in Kawche Village, as well. Various things are offered by lottery on the New Year, too. There are best, good, and clever prizes and consolation prizes offered to novice monks and young nuns at the annual Buddhist Culture Course awards ceremony. There are also various superior goods such as Malaysian-made robes offered every year to the teachers of the Foundation Course. Not least are the robes and other useful things offered to the monks teaching abroad.


Taking stock of all the things Sayadaw offers, one would realize how much he does give. Others learning of his wholesome deeds would be gratified, indeed. They would have to say "Sâdhu! (Well Done)". How glad the one who did these deeds himself must feel. How happy he must be. Noble ones exclaim with joy, "Generosity is the cause of great happiness". When Sayadaw returns from trips abroad, too, he brings things specially for the senior teachers, the monks who are teaching literature, and for the 'working monks' with responsibilities at the center. He has things to give to the lay attendants, volunteers, and the members of the Theravâda Buddhist Institute (the lay organization of the center) as well. He has things to give to the nuns and special prizes for those nuns who have passes their examinations with honors.

Sayadaw also receives donations of books in English when he is abroad. He offers these to deserving people. He also has a habit getting books in Myanmar which he enjoys giving away. He sends books of the Pâli Canon to the noble monks doing duty abroad to complete their sets. He also has a habit making offerings of supplies and money to both monks both at home and abroad from that which has been offered to him. He donates various things which are needed by the Sâsana Yeiktha. I can't even estimate how many of the donations he makes I don't know about.

Even the author is exhausted recording all of Sayadaw's donations. Perhaps the reader is exhausted already, too. I think it would a take a lot of writing just to record the

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