04/20/2020 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) – On April 16, Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay Archdiocese received US$10,000 from the Burmese prominent monk, Ashin Nyanissara, also known as Sitagu Sayadaw. The fund was donated to the Coronavirus emergency fund set up by Pope Francis.

In addition, the monk also provided bags of rice, cooking oil, beans, onions, beans and salt for orphanages and others in need in Mandalay Archdiocese.

As of April 17, Myanmar reported 85 cases including four deaths and two recovered as of April 17.

UCA News reports that at the ceremony held in Sacred Heart Cathedral, the monk said he gave the contributions as a sign of compassion common to all religions — Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.

“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,” Sitagu Sayadaw said.

In response, 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. His contributions send a message of interfaith harmony to people across the country.”

In Buddhist majority Myanmar, Sitagu Sayadaw is one of the vocal supporters of religious freedom. He sits on interfaith councils and travels the world to promote his humanitarian efforts and interfaith dialogue.

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