Columban Fr Kurt Zion Pala with a Buddhist monk. Photo: Fr Kurt Zion Pala.
I first met the young boys early in the morning, sweeping the monastery grounds. There were around ten of them, all under fifteen years old. Five were novices, known as “koyin,” while the others were monastery assistants who helped the monks with daily tasks. Together with the head monk and four other monks, they formed a small but lively monastic community in Makauk Village in Sagaing Division, Myanmar.
Each morning before sunrise, the monks and novices walked through the village collecting alms. In the Buddhist tradition, monks eat only two meals a day, one early in the morning and another before noon. They devote the rest of the day to prayer, study, meditation, and simple work. Watching this rhythm of life taught me the beauty of discipline and simplicity.
I stayed in the monastery through the kindness of my friend, U Nandasara, affectionately called “Shwebo” after his hometown district. A young monk with a curious and open spirit, he spoke English well and introduced me to many monks and villagers. During the evenings, we drank tea together and spoke about religion, culture, and even
politics. Through these conversations, I began to understand more deeply the realities of life in Myanmar and the generosity of its people.
Columban Fr Kurt Zion Pala with young Buddhist novices. Photo: Fr Kurt Zion Pala.
Living in the monastery also taught me important lessons about respect and culture. One of the first things I learned was to remove my slippers before entering sacred grounds. In Myanmar, shoes are never worn inside pagodas or monasteries. This custom reminded me that entering another culture or religion requires humility. As a missionary priest, I felt invited to “remove my shoes” spiritually as well — to listen, observe, and learn before speaking.
The novices patiently helped me learn Burmese while I joined them in simple daily activities like sweeping the grounds and walking by the riverbank. Their kindness and openness made me feel welcome. I often visited Shwebo’s family in the evenings, where his mother prepared meals and treated me as part of the family. Her warmth reflected the deep hospitality present in many Myanmar villages.
My time in the monastery felt like my own novitiate experience. By sharing everyday life with Buddhist monks and novices, I came to appreciate more deeply both the Buddhist way of life and my own Christian vocation. Friendship became the bridge that allowed genuine dialogue between our traditions.
Columban Fr Kurt Zion Pala with Buddhist friends. Photo: Fr Kurt Zion Pala.
In Buddhism, spiritual friendship is considered essential to the religious life. In Christianity, Jesus teaches, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Both traditions remind us that friendship is rooted in compassion, sacrifice, trust, and understanding.
Years later, I remain grateful for the friendships formed in that monastery. Though Myanmar now faces conflict and uncertainty, those memories continue to inspire me. Walking on monastery grounds taught me that dialogue between religions does not begin with theories or debates.
It begins with sharing meals, learning languages, listening deeply, and becoming friends.
Columban Fr Kurt Zion Pala lives and works in Myanmar.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban Interfaith eBulletin
