Vox Pop: Buddhism on Sittwe University campus in the spotlight

By DMG 30 Nov 2021

The planned construction of a Buddhist religious edifice, known as a dhammayon, on the Sittwe University grounds has prompted debate over the role of religion on campuses in Myanmar. DMG recently spoke to a variety of stakeholders about the matter. 

U Aung Kyaw Min || Chairperson || Arakan State Administration (military) Council 

Faculty members of the university submitted their plan to build a community hall for religious purposes [dhammayon] on campus. Why would we object to it? We did not tell them not to build such a building at the university. Additionally, the building will be developed with their own funds. So, there is no reason to object to their plan. 

U Kyaw Naing Oo || Head of Academic Affairs || Sittwe University 

It is about four years that we’ve been seeking to develop a dhammayon. A university should have a dhammayon. Most universities have their own dhammayon. Our country is a Buddhist country and it needs to hold religious ceremonies sometimes. We now have a small shrine. When we use the small room, it is difficult to hold religious activities on days of religious significance. 

When there are many students, the current room is not sufficient for all of them. So, we consulted to build a dhammayon. The decision was made by well-wishers. Teachers from the university also donated funds. We do not force anyone to donate for the building. 

The plan is headed by university faculty members. It was delayed when students objected to it. However, monks told us the university should have a dhammayon. So, we are seeking to build it. Some students do not like it. 

We will start the project in December. We expect to complete it in three or four years. 

U Khaing Kaung San || Executive Director || Wan Lark Foundation 

Principally, a university is a centre for freedom of religion and expression. And I think it is necessary to create a stadium and sports grounds for the health of the students rather than spending the funds for a religious building because [proponents say], ‘It is needed for Buddhist days of religious significance’. 

Such religious events can be observed at halls in the university. I think the funds should be spent on a multi-purpose stadium. I think we should have a good spirit to see that all humans are the same. I want to say that they want to spend the money on something that is not necessary. 

Ko Toe Toe Aung || Former Chairman || Sittwe University Students’ Union 

I believe it is dishonest. When I was chairperson of the students’ union, the former rector of the university said they would build a building for members of all religions. We told university authorities not to build religious buildings on the university campus. 

The current rector was deputy rector at that time, and also promised not to build religious buildings at the university but that was changed later. I phoned the current rector about the dhammayon because I was chairperson of the student union. But he said he knew nothing and that the deputy rector did it. But I heard that he made a commitment to some teachers to start construction if there is K100 million in funds. Later, they submitted the plan when the regime council came to the university, and they were granted a permit. 

If the situation at the university in Arakan State is compared with universities in other regions and states — saying, ‘Other universities have dhammayons’ — I have to ask whether authorities will fulfill all the needs of our university. Our university does not have sufficient teaching aids. 

Ko Phone Pyae Phyo || Acting Chairman || Sittwe University Students’ Union 

The main thing we want to say openly is that authorities need to put about 10% of the effort to build the dhammayon toward the development of the university. I do not want to blame them [dhammayon advocates] for their donation. As they are Buddhists, it is their right. However, we pointed out that the location to build the dhammayone [is controversial]. 

Some people have said, ‘Other universities have dhammayons.’ If so, our university should have a library, which other universities have. Other universities have research departments. So, shouldn’t we have such a facility? What I want to say is that the university is for members of all faiths, so it would be better that the campus does not have any religious building. 

The Education Law provides support for students’ activities in the education and research sectors, so that the university can turn out more smart students for the future betterment of Arakan State. 

We need to consider which is more important for the university, education or donations? Our university does not have a clinic or hospital for students and teachers. The university is far from Sittwe town. Other universities have government clinics or hospitals on campus. And we do not have a library. Chin State University, which opened after Sittwe [University], has a library.