The Myanmar Earthquake

After finishing my class, I went outside to enjoy a cup of coffee. While sipping my drink, I scrolled through TikTok and came across several videos about the earthquake in Myanmar. This reminded me of the earthquake that occurred in Nepal in 2015.

On that dark and unfortunate day, I sat on the mat beneath the tree in the middle of the jungle, talking with my friends. It was the summer vacation, and we had gone camping.

I was still a monk, and I didn’t like using my phone much. One of my friends was scrolling through Facebook and told us that there was a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Nepal, which caused many buildings across the country to collapse. My friends called their parents and talked to them to make sure that they were alright. I was worried and wanted to check on my parents. I left my phone at the temple and couldn’t remember my parents and sisters’ phone numbers. 

I couldn't sleep at all the whole night.

The next morning, we decided to return to the temple. As soon as we arrived, we called my parents and learned that the earthquake had affected the capital and other mountain areas.

It was still our country, and we felt sorry for the victims of the deadliest earthquake.

At the same time, my master from a Thai monastery in Nepal, along with some important Thai elite figures (I prefer not to mention names due to PDPA laws, which require permission to disclose individuals' names), organized the rescue campaign for earthquake victims in Nepal. My friend and I were part of the team, serving as translators and helpers to carry supplies, goods, food, and materials for building temporary housing for the victims.

We traveled from Bangkok to Nepal with a large amount of food, supplies, and medicine. At the airport, customs officers stopped us, questioning why we had so much medicine. Despite explaining that it was for earthquake victims, they initially refused to let us through. Frustrated, we raised our voices, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Eventually, seeing our distress—particularly that of the monks—they allowed us to take the goods into the country.

We made one of the Buddhist temples in Kathmandu our main residence and started the mission.

We traveled to all corners of Kathmandu, beyond the Kathmandu valley, and in mountain areas affected by the earthquake, providing food, tents, clothes, and other necessities.

A few weeks later, we had doctors come to help, and we organized medical camps. Nepalese students joined the doctors and volunteers to help. Buddhist devotees also came to lend a hand in building temporary clay houses for the victims. Politicians arrived, primarily to take photos and take one or two of the large tents we had brought for those in need. I can almost imagine your reaction: “Really?” Yes, it’s true. I know it is shameful, but it actually happened.

We volunteered for nearly three months, and the Nepalese people were thankful to the Thai Buddhist monks, as well as to the superstars, politicians, doctors, and businessmen who donated money, goods, and other essentials. While the mainstream media reported on our efforts, we helped the victims out of kindness, compassion, and a deep sense of empathy for humanity. 

"This is the teaching of the Buddha."