EINDU VILLAGE, Karen State — Thousands of people gathered in the small village of Eindu, located not far from the Karen State capital Hpa-an, this week to attend the Buddhist funeral rites and a large fair to mark the passing of a venerated local monk.
Abbot Rzeinna died at the age of 84 on Nov. 10 after having spent 64 years in monkhood. The body of the ethnic Pa-O monk was kept for three months before cremation, in keeping with Buddhist customs in Burma.
Members of local communities attended the week-long event in great numbers. Many donated money to pay for the cremation ceremony and free food and drinks, and to organize a fair and traditional zat pwe dance and musical performances. Following the abbot’s cremation fireworks were set off, to the delight of the crowd.
The fair also included a traditional Burmese martial arts competition, known locally as lethwei.
