The earthquake on March 28, 2025, shook Myanmar and Thailand, causing widespread devastation and revealing the fragile state of the country's infrastructure and religious communities.
Tragedy Strikes Myanmar: Earthquake Devastates Monasteries and Takes Monks' Lives
Tragedy Strikes Myanmar: Earthquake Devastates Monasteries and Takes Monks' Lives
A severe earthquake in Myanmar has taken a toll on the nation’s monks, with many buried under the ruins of monasteries.
In a somber gathering following last week’s earthquake, mourners in Mandalay paid tribute to their lost monk, Ashin Pyinnyar Tharmi, 27, who perished when his monastery collapsed. Wrapped in a maroon robe, his body was honored by fellow monks, who recited loving verses and whispered poignant phrases echoing Buddhist doctrine. Ashin Javanar Linkhara cradled a worn blanket belonging to Tharmi, symbolizing both loss and remembrance amid the chaos.
The earthquake, measuring high on the Richter scale and striking on March 28, claimed thousands of lives, further deepening Myanmar's existing humanitarian crisis fueled by a prolonged civil war. Among the casualties were countless monks who served as vital community figures, now tragically lost under the collapsed remnants of their religious sanctuaries.
Buddhism is at the heart of Myanmar's cultural identity, with approximately 90% of its population practicing the religion. This recent disaster not only obliterated crucial religious sites but also diminished the clergy, which has been integral to providing support during crises. Among the significant losses include ancient temples and structures that have stood for generations, now reduced to rubble.
Recent years have seen tensions rise within the nation, with extremist factions linking Buddhism to nationalist causes, leading to devastating conflicts. As mourning envelops the nation, the essence of communal support, which has historically emerged from its religious leaders, faces a significant blow.
While the spirits of the deceased monks will be honored in the coming days, the challenge remains for Myanmar to recover both physically and spiritually from this devastating event, as the community grapples with both grief and renewed resolve in the face of adversity.
The earthquake, measuring high on the Richter scale and striking on March 28, claimed thousands of lives, further deepening Myanmar's existing humanitarian crisis fueled by a prolonged civil war. Among the casualties were countless monks who served as vital community figures, now tragically lost under the collapsed remnants of their religious sanctuaries.
Buddhism is at the heart of Myanmar's cultural identity, with approximately 90% of its population practicing the religion. This recent disaster not only obliterated crucial religious sites but also diminished the clergy, which has been integral to providing support during crises. Among the significant losses include ancient temples and structures that have stood for generations, now reduced to rubble.
Recent years have seen tensions rise within the nation, with extremist factions linking Buddhism to nationalist causes, leading to devastating conflicts. As mourning envelops the nation, the essence of communal support, which has historically emerged from its religious leaders, faces a significant blow.
While the spirits of the deceased monks will be honored in the coming days, the challenge remains for Myanmar to recover both physically and spiritually from this devastating event, as the community grapples with both grief and renewed resolve in the face of adversity.
