We would like to share a podcast recorded by @insightmyanmar, a news broadcasting agency in the US, reporting about the situation in Myanmar.
The podcast features the founder of Mudita Foundation, Mokkhita, who takes us further into the terrifying situation and details of what happened, how he survived and escaped from Myanmar, leaving his friends and family behind.
Head to the link below to listen to the podcast to learn more about Mokkhita’s story.
Nothing in Bhikkhu Mokkhita’s life had prepared him for this. His monastery set afire, his name appearing on a blacklist and a manhunt underway, he was forced to urgently flee the peaceful community of his adopted rural homeland around Nyaungshwe, and take his chances getting through the numerous police checkpoints on the road to Yangon, and then find a way to pass undetected through the enhanced airport security blocking entry into a waiting Myanmar Airways International flight.
Back home now in Germany, Bhikkhu Mokkhita is left sorting out the trauma of his harrowing escape, and dealing with the fear of so many friends left there and now at risk. “I went from anger to fear,” he notes. “Emotions like a roller coaster. I’m just heartbroken to see this country that I love so much [this way].”
Bhikkhu Mokkhita’s roots in the Golden Land go back a long way. He first heard about Burma after taking a vipassana meditation course at Dhamma Dvara, a center in the tradition of S.N. Goenka. The experience changed his life, and he went on to attend over forty 10-day courses, as well as sit longer courses. Eventually, he decided that he wanted to delve into a deeper spiritual life than the Goenka course formats allow. So he went to Burma and began looking for monastic teachers. Eventually he left his marriage and medical career behind to ordain at Pa Auk monastery, and start a new chapter in his life.
After some very enriching years there, he found himself overwhelmed by the generosity of Burmese teachers and supporters, and wanted to find some way to give back. He was able to do just this by collecting donation funds from friends back home, and using them to build water wells, toilets, and school buildings at monasteries. This led to the establishment of his Muditā Foundation, and Bhikkhu Mokkhita became energized by what was possible.
The culmination of this work would find its acme in Nyaungshwe—made possible by the growing reforms of the democratically elected government—and his foundation was able to create a holistic living and education center providing free enrollment to anyone who wished to attend. The school was a symbiosis of East and West, incorporating such features as Buddhist meditation, yoga, gardening and cooking classes, adobe construction, and regularly bringing in teacher trainers to oversee their education and computer programs. Rather than being imposed, this outside knowledge was carefully integrated into a grassroots structure that also incorporated the most valuable aspects of traditional Burmese society. Listen here to our initial interview with Bhikkhu Mokkhita, recorded during the coronavirus pandemic.
But his dream was literally set on fire. Although he has no idea who ignited the actual blaze, Bhikkhu Mokkhita suspects it was someone connected to the military, as this gave them free reign to then accuse and arrest anyone they wanted for the arson. To make matters more complicated, Bhikkhu Mokkhita suspects the Sayadaw of the monastery as being complicit in the attack. Although his relationship with the abbot started out well, gradually he saw the Sayadaw beginning to eye what all those donations had come to provide: the 100 new computers, the classroom buildings, the student accommodations, etc. And perhaps, Bhikkhu Mokkhita thinks, the fire was part of a larger plan for him to claim those possessions for himself.
The fact that a monk was involved in the partial destruction and eventual takeover of the monastic school was devastating for Bhikkhu Mokkhita to process, and heightened his concern that the monastic role in the military coup needs to be held under greater scrutiny. Above all, Bhikkhu Mokkhita thinks it is imperative for those concerned about the current crisis to properly appreciate the immense power that monks have in Myanmar. “They’re very highly respected, as even the political leaders come and ask for advice, and certainly within the communities, the monks are always in the villages or cities and suburbs, they’re always leaders and have a very important leading role. What the monks say, often, the lay people will follow.” So what should the monks be saying at this moment?
From his own perspective as an ordained Buddhist monk, Bhikkhu Mokkhita believes there should be “a sense of responsibility of sharing these democratic values of freedom of speech, a freedom of choosing your life’s plan, or the partner that you’re living with, or the circumstances in your lives. And valuing this, these freedoms of mind, and the freedom of being free of torture, being free of the fear of being killed. So the monks should stand up, even when they don’t go demonstrating, then talking with their community about this and showing what’s right.” However in Bhikkhu Mokkhita’s estimation, this ethical stand is not being taken as strongly as he would like to see on behalf of the Saṅgha.
Although he is now living in physical safety back in Germany, his mind still suffers from experiencing loss, terror, and fear. Here his mindfulness training provides support, for example letting go of negative emotion to observe a fast heartbeat or sweating, which calms him down. But the sadness he feels at the senseless destruction of a generation’s forward progress can still seem overwhelming. For those who would like to support the former teachers who have lost their work, and in some cases, their home, please consider donating here.
He references a friend who commented that this young generation was like a young bird developing wings and taking its first steps towards flight. “And now there’s the military coming in, just breaking their wings and the whole future is lost for them! I totally understand that. If I were a Burmese youth, I will do exactly the same as them. There is nothing more to do than fighting until the end, for democracy. I totally get this now. Before there was trust and unity and openness, and now living in constant fear… they can drive the military truck out, they can just shoot you in the head any time, they can take you, detain you, torture you… anytime, to any person in the street, even a monk wearing the robes. So living in fear, constantly, is such a torture of mind, and takes away the life quality. And there are also many spies, you can’t really say your opinion any more openly. There’s mistrust among the people in the country, that’s also harming the society immensely.”
The Village Leader and Mother Nature – inspirational leaders of Inle Lake
Meet Taggyi and Nan Nan, husband and wife who not only work in partnership at home but also for their community in the village and supporting Mudita School.
Nan Nan, is like mother nature. She has flourished our Eco Farm right from the beginning of Mudita School and continues to maintain and educate volunteers who come to work in our gardens.
The Eco Farm is our main source of food as we live a sustainable lifestyle, but it certainly takes community resilience and we would be lost without Nan Nan, that’s for sure!
Before Taggyi started working taking an interest at Mudiuta School, he was a farmer and also mayor of the village.
Taggyi supports our values and sees how we are making a difference and building a better future for our students.
Taggyi helps out in the Eco Farm with his Wife. He is also responsible for school maintenance, especially since launching new building projects, he organises the repair of broken water pipes and laying new concrete paths. A valued member of our community!
Thank you Nan Nan and Taggyi for your continual support and love for Mudita.
Your Mudita Family is extremely grateful for you both.
Hi, I’m Aye Myo from Mandalay
I am a volunteer here at Mudita Foundation and currently supporting the Eco Farm. I have been on the farm for the last 4 months and I absolutely love it.
Having the opportunity to work in and with nature is amazing. Surrounded by stunning hills and fresh air while planting super delicious vegetables is a fantastic job. Next year, I will teach at Mudita Foundation.
I am learning English right now, which is improving every day.
I will teach the students subjects in Science, Social and Myanmar as it is very important to learn about our country and its history.
23 years old
Mingalaba!
My name is Nwe Nwe, I am 23 years old and I have been working at Mudita School since 2017, when the school officially opened.
I teach the students Geography, History and Science.
I am very happy to be working at this monastic school, as I feel I am part of a solution.
I know I am making a difference and helping Mudita build a better future for the students. The children are inspiring, kind and each have their own sense of humour.
We have a lot of fun, and I must say, I learn a lot from the students! Learning English has always been a passion of mine, and I was able to learn English online as well as developing my computer skills.
My hobbies are reading as many books as possible and cooking in the kitchen, especially with oranges, mango, bananas.
My overall goal and aspiration in life is to become a Doctor and, of course, support Mudita.
45 years old
I am the chef of the Bamboo Garden restaurant in the Mudita school. It’s not just a restaurant but also a meeting point for tourists as well as volunteers and children.
I enjoy being part of this now for two years while improving my knowledge and learning English from the volunteers.
I really enjoy the company of various people during the day. That makes my days really interesting and diverse.
18 years old
Mingalaba, my name is Ei Moe, I am 18 years old and I have been supporting Mudita Schhol for approximately 2 months now. I’m currently maintaining the eco farm. I absolutely love working outdoors in nature. Surrounded by rolling hills, music from the birds and watching the self-planted vegetables grow in this thriving environment, they are super delicious! I also teach Grade 2 Science and ensure the students are getting enough physical exercise ona. daily basis.
My life-long ambition is to be a full-time teacher, so I believe I am on the right path, and in the right place right now.
What is important in life? LOVE HAPPINESS KINDNESS EDUCATION FAMILY CHILDREN We would love to know what’s important to you?
45 years old
I’ve been working here since the school opened in 2017. I teach English, geography, history and many other subjects. I really enjoy using the computers in this school.
21 years old
I’m a mathematics teacher for grade 4 to 7. 4 years ago, I started working here in this school. When The Mudita Foundation came over I was very happy for the change that came. I enjoy working with the children very much. They are very smart!
16 years old
I spend most of my working days under the blue sky of the eco farm. It is nice to take your time to understand all the different types of plants we have here. Besides that, I teach several subjects to the older grades. Since the 3 months, I’ve been working here, I also really enjoyed to work on the computers. It is nice to have varied fields to work in.
18 years old
I’m the teacher for grade 1 in all subjects except for mathematics. I’ve been enjoying to teach now for 7 months here. It’s really nice to have the foreign volunteers around to learn from them. Also waking up with the view of the mountains is energizing me every day.
19 years old
I’m teaching grade 2 , 3 and 6 in science, English, geography and the Myanmar subjects. Since 7 months, I’m happy to call the Mudita school my home. It’s nice to walk around the school and seeing all the little self-built bamboo cottages placed on the hillside. It’s amazing to see what we are able to create as a community.
18 years old
I’m teaching 3rd to 5th grade in English, geography and the history of Myanmar. I’ve been giving lessons to the children now for almost 7 months and mostly learned to love the laughter of the children when I felt stressed out. I also enjoy the company of the volunteers a lot! They are making my day much more relaxed and even more fun!
20 years old
l’m an English and Art teacher at the school. I’ve been working here now for over 1 year.Mudita foundation gives me the opportunity to explore my knowledge.
29 years old
I Was teaching English, art and the eco class for the 7th grade. I also helped at the clinic and managed the volunteers. I’ve been a part of the project from the very beginning in 2016. I value the most unique characteristics of this project by sharing knowledge and joy in a peaceful community. It’s really nice to be with all kinds of nations and age groups. That is what makes me happy about this place for about 4 years now.
28 years old
My name is Moe. I been teacher about 8 years. Since i finished my high school start worked as a teachers in Sagaing Aung Myae oo monastic education school. I was in the class teacher, teaching by Mathematics, science, English for different grade. I was also attended the teacher training, learning by myself to become good for myanmar education on the other hand improve for our new generation. When i’m working in Sagaing school, i met the founder of Mudita Foundation Bhante Mokkhita. By that time he and me started organize new education system in one of Monastic school in Naungshwe. In the school ( called Htet Eain Gu school organize by Mudita foundation ) i got more responsibility not being in the class. I’m happy and enjoy with my responsibility taking care Finances, organization part, translator, Teacher training ( training for our new teachers). Last year i went for an internship to germany for 3 months. This year as well I’m going internship again for 3 months. All organized by mudita foundation.
19 years old
I’ve been working here for almost 2 years now. I teach the children in the handling of computers, electric installations and civil education. The children make me happy with their smile. I often play with them during my breaks. They are really kind and cute.
25 years old
I’m a teacher for English and eco farming at the school. Managing the volunteers is also one of my tasks. I’ve been working here now for 4 months and love being with the kids. They are really grateful and funny.
23 years old
Since 2017, I’ve been working in the kindergarten, teaching bamboo handicrafts and organizing the sports classes. Mudita Foundation is like my home, it’s very comfortable to stay here. It feels like a big family with all the volunteers, teachers and especially with the lovely kids. This Year I plan to go to Germany to do an internship and in the school year 2020/21 I will start working in the Mudita primary school. We also planned to open a Waldorf Kindergarten training center which I will lead.