Gate closed for Buddhist monks in Naniachar

Gate closed for Buddhist monks in Naniachar

chtnews.com
News No. 126/2010, August 28, 2010

THE Buddhist monks of Ratnankur Buddhist temple in Naniachar could not
go for pindacharana or alms round as the army refused to open a gate
at the army zone which is used to control the movements of the Jumma
people of the area.

The incident took place on 25 August. According to a monk from
Ratnankur Temple, three Bhikkhus and four Sramanas (novices) went out
for alms round at 6am on that day as they always did.

But the army refused to open the zone gate for the monks, and so the
monks had to go back to the temple with their alms bowl empty.

The Buddhist monks rely on alms donations of the general public for
their sustenance.

The gate at the Naniachar zone has been causing great problems for the
general people there.

The zone authority opens and closes the gate as it pleases, but
usually it opens it at 6 in the morning and closes at 6 in the
evening.

The Jummas have to cross the gate to go to the bazaar, to the offices,
or to the hospital or their relatives.

They cannot do that when the gate is closed at night.
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