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Myanmar's prominent Buddhist monk contributes to pope’s coronavirus fund

Myanmar's Buddhist monk Sitagu Sayadaw with Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay on April 16. (Vatican Photo)

Myanmar’s prominent Buddhist monk, Ashin Nyanissara, also known as Sitagu Sayadaw, made a contribution of US$10,000 to the emergency fund that Pope Francis created for people and communities affected by coronavirus pandemic. 

Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay received the donation from Sitagu Sayadaw during a ceremony at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Mandalay on April 16.

The monk also donated bags of rice, cooking oil, beans, onions, and salt for orphanages and the poor in the archdiocese.

The monk said his contribution is a sign of compassion.

"All we need to do is work hand in hand based on a common platform to tackle Covid-19 and carry out charitable work through solidarity," said Sitagu Sayadaw.

Archbishop Tin Win said: "As a real friend, I am impressed with his contributions and it shows goodwill and solidarity with people who are most in need in times of crisis."

The prelate said the monk's contributions "send a message of interfaith harmony to people across the country."

The monk also made a donation to homes for the aged, a school for the deaf, a cancer foundation, orphanages, and internally displaced persons across the country.

The Buddhist cleric had a private meeting with Pope Francis during his visit to Myanmar in November 2017. He also met Pope Benedict XVI in Rome in 2011.

 

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