Embassy in Yangoon organises alms-offering programme

By A Staff Reporter Kathmandu, May 16: On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, the Embassy of Nepal in Yangon organised an alms-offering programme on Sunday. The monks preached a 'dharma deshana', teachings of dharma and prayed for peace and prosperity of people, the embassy said in a statement. 

Charge D' affaires of the embassy Khuman Singh Tamang and other staff offered robes, umbrella, sandals and alms bowls to the monks. Nepali food was also served to the monks. Nine monks from Baranasi Bihar, a Nepali Monastery in Yangon were invited for the offerings.  

According to the embassy, about 80 people from the Nepali community in Myanmar were present at the programme. Offering alms to monk is considered as sacred and good deed in Myanmar as monks are venerated in society.  Alms offering programme not only contribute to promoting Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha but also spread Nepali culture abroad, said Tamang.  

Before COVID-19 pandemic, around 50,000 people from Myanmar visited Lumbini every year. About 89 per cent of the total population in the country follows Buddhism.