Don’t commit annoyance to people during Buddhist Lent

As the month of Waso approaches, signalling the beginning of the Buddhist Lent in Myanmar, many Buddhists engage in various activities to practice meritorious deeds and meditation. This period is marked by numerous donation ceremonies organized under the guidance of venerable Buddhist monks. Traditionally, these ceremonies are often accompanied by charity feasts and loud music. However, such practices run contrary to the essence of Buddhism, which emphasizes peace, tranquillity, and calmness.
Buddhists typically devote themselves to observing Sabbaths, meditating, and worshipping the Lord Buddha during the Lent period, especially on the 8th Waxing and Waning days, full moon, and moonless days from the 1st Waxing of Waso through Wagaung and Tawthalin until the full moon of Thadingyut. For these devotees, the noisy and loud sounds associated with some donation ceremonies are unwelcome and disruptive.
Noise pollution is a significant concern, as sounds exceeding 85 decibels can damage hearing sensitivity. Some countries have regulations to keep noise levels below 100 decibels to avoid disturbing others. In developing nations, about 67 per cent of factory workers experience hearing loss due to noisy machinery, underscoring the need for noise control. Urban development projects must consider the impact of construction noise on the population. Hence, it is essential to recognize the harmful effects of loud noises exceeding 85 decibels.
To maintain a serene and peaceful environment conducive to Buddhist practices, local administrative authorities and officials from the Department of Religious Affairs must regulate religious and donation ceremonies within the Buddhist community. These officials should ensure that ceremonies are conducted without loud and noisy sounds, respecting societal tranquillity and individual rights.
By adhering to these guidelines, the essence of Buddhist Lent can be preserved, allowing devotees to engage in their spiritual practices without disturbance. This approach not only aligns with Buddhist principles but also promotes a healthier and more harmonious community.
Everybody has the right to do everything but they should not disturb a peaceful and stable society. Extreme noisy acts never support the peaceful society and daily routine of people. Everybody needs to consider noisy actions before they do. Spending a large sum of money on religious ceremonies never benefits the Buddhist and Buddhist societies and will face misunderstanding of the people in other religions. As such, authorities and religious officials need to supervise the proper movements of Buddhist people during the Buddhist Lent so as not to annoy the people.