More photos from Sangha Dana at Wei Har Ree Nunnery

Ma Khaing has shared more photos of their Sangha Dana on October 16 at Wei Har Ree Nunnery in Mandalay, in honor of Ko Kyaw Ngwe. More information can be found here about the event.

Ma Khaing and family sort through offerings prior to giving them to the Sangha. Bhikkhu Agga can be seen standing on the right side

Ma Khaing stands at the head of a line of nuns as her daughters look on while smiling

Ma Khaing gives a collection of requisites to a young nun as her family looks on

Ma Khaing and her daughters prepare to offer requisite bags to nuns

Photos of Sangha Dana at Wei Har Ree Nunnery

Ma Khaing has shared photos from the Sangha Dana that was given in memory of our dear Dhamma friend Ko Kyaw Ngwe, and as was described by Bhikkhu Agga, who attended. Following are photos from event:

Ma Khaing presents robes to Bhikkhu Agga

Ma Khaing's family follows the traditional yay sat ceremony of pouring water at the end of the monk's Dhamma discourse

Bhikkhu Agga mindfully eats the Sangha Dana that was presented to him

Ma Khaing wanders through the nuns' hall refilling their food 

Sangha Dana at Mandalay Nunnery for Kyaw Ngwe

Bhikkhu Agga was in Mandalay and able to participate with the family in Ma Khaing as they offered dana at Wei Har Ree Nunnery in Mandalay, in memory of Ko Kyaw Ngwe. He offers his reflections on the event, to share with all those Dhamma friends who were there in spirit, if not body:

"I don't know what I can tell that might be interesting, everything went almost exactly as it should have gone :) 

Ma Khaing was nicely in control, without much stress, having time to meet and check up with everyone.

There were about 30 laypeople, 60 nuns, and 6 monks.
Monks were offered food at 10:30 a.m., a few minutes later the nuns, and when the monks finished their first course, the food was served to all the lay people in attendance. Around 11:15 the lay people took refuge in Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha) and then took the five precepts, followed by a Dhamma Desena (or Dhamma Talk by the Sayadaw), after which some more requisites were offered to the monks and nuns. When this all was done, merits were shared in U Kyaw Ngwe's name, and the visitors slowly departed.

One thing which struck me, was that even though the whole event was organized to share merits with U Kyaw Ngwe, it felt that in a way it worked also the other way around: it was because of U Kyaw Ngwe's good actions (kusala) in his human life, he was able to get now all these people together to get merits. Because of that, I there was a lot of Mudita and gratitude towards him :)"

One Year Anniversary of Ko Kyaw Ngwe's Passing

In January 2014, meditators gather for a group photo at Ma Khaing's restaurant after eating a vegetarian meal on the pilgrimage. Ma Khaing is in the middle, wearing purple.

For those yogis who have been coming to the Golden Land for Dhamma practice, Ko Kyaw Ngwe was much more than a guide and driver-- he was a dear friend and Dhamma brother. While the upcoming guidebook about Dhamma practice in Burma will be of benefit to thousands of yogis from around the world, Ko Kyaw Ngwe will always be remembered as the original guide who first led so many of us to these sacred sites, changing many lives in the process. Many hold a deep gratitude because of this. Dozens of meditators around the world sent their thoughts and metta to his family as he was battling cancer last year, and he passed away last fall.

In the time since, his family has continued to be a great support to any and all foreign meditators who pass through Upper Burma, whether it be making travel arrangements, helping with sudden emergencies, or simply providing a simple and nutritious vegetarian food. In the pilgrimages last year, meditators remember their meal as one of the best dining experiences of the three week trip-- not only because of the divine taste, but also for how much metta was cooked with it! (as can be remembered here, here, and here!) 

Ma Khaing with family outside her home

The one year anniversary of Ko Kyaw Ngwe's passing will be on October 16, and on this day his family will donate a great Sangha Dana to over 120 nuns in Mandalay at Wei Har Ree Nunnery. For all those who remember the kindness of Ko Kyaw Ngwe, or that of Ma Khaing and the extended family, they welcome anyone who wishes to join in the kusala actions and share in offering dana on this meritorious occasion. Any financial donation offered will go towards the giving of food, requisites, and other items to the nuns on this day. For those who wish to do so, donations can be made to Ko Kyaw Ngwe's friend in Yangon named Ko Htay Aung, who can be contacted here: teo.birmania(at)gmail.com. He will provide you with further details about how to transfer the funds, and small donations are gladly accepted for those who wish to join in this special occasion.

Young Burmese nuns recite the suttas at Shwedagon Pagoda