Authorities have been forcing local monks studying in Rangoon back to their home town monasteries prior to the beginning of the Waso lent period. Over 100 monks have now arrived at monasteries in their hometowns, including the Ye, Sein Ma Ma and Sin Phyu monasteries. 

Authorities from Rangoon last week ordered monasteries to send any monks home that had lived there for a short time only; the order continued that those monks must be returned prior to the Waso lent period.

In line with Buddhist teachings, every monk must reside in the monastery at the beginning of the Waso lent period, during which they are not permitted to travel outside the monastery without permission from their head monks. 

Monks from Bahan Township, near the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, told Kaowao that these measures are most likely aimed at reducing the number of monks in Rangoon and to separate them before August. August this year marks 20 years since the ‘88 uprising’ of 1988, while September will be the one year anniversary of last year’s ‘Saffron Revolution’. 

According to Monks newly arrived in Moulmein from Rangoon, the authorities ordered monasteries to house no more than 10 registered monks and guests. Township authorities in Rangoon will let only 5 guests stay at each monastery, and not allow any regional monks to begin their studies in Rangoon from July.