Following the demolition of 30 ‘jungle-monk-temples’ on the orders of the State Monk Association, monks who were residing there are facing myriad problems in Myawaddy Township, Karen State.

A monk in Myawaddy said "The current chairman of the Monk Association in Myawaddy is a pro-government monk. A total of 30 temples were demolished."

The State Monk Association issued the demolition order in the middle of last month, a monk said.

It was found that some monks, who lived in these temples, did not abide by the rules meant for monks. Therefore, the monk authorities ordered the demolition, the monk added.

"Instead of demolishing the temples, monk authorities ought to have called the monks and ordered them to follow the rules laid down. They should also have identified the monks breaking the rules and punished them. Now all monks are facing difficulties because of the unprincipled monks," he added.

Even though monks, whose temples were demolished, were not arrested, authorities have ordered not to accept these monks in temples located downtown, putting them in a spot, the monk added.

"Now, they have to change from a monk’s life and live like ordinary people. Some among them are pretty old. They cannot work to eke out a living. Therefore they will become lay men in temples."

If somebody wants to build a monk temple in a village or township, the person must apply to the State Monk Association through the township monk association.

If a temple has no legal document from the authorities, it is dubbed illegal. The recent demolition may have something to do with this rather than the conduct of monks. The authorities should investigate, a monk from Tarchilek said.

Monks said that authorities including the monk association should take action on monks flouting rules and should allow the monks, whose temples were demolished, to stay in temples.