N19 The way we Live

Western people usually likes small family, whereas the Asian including us like to live with a big family. I know one Australian family where a mother had many children (about 9 or 10), but even if the mother is about 80 she did not live with any of her children. She lived alone until she died.

In our Taunggyi compound there are 4 houses and in these houses there are 6 families. Except for siblings who have gone and settled in other places the families live together. So in these 4 houses there are about 40 people and all are inter-related with each other.

Because we settled in Yangon when we come home for a few months in summer we are just guests. During our stay at least once we cook a kind of food like Shan khaukswe, tofu nway, marlar fish etc and invite all the people in the compound and 2 more household who live outside but nearby to come and eat. At such times all the other houses are mee kho take (no smoke arises because there is no cooking) except the house that is the host.

At such times our kitchen is full of women who share the work of preparing food and cooking. Some elders who cannot do much also come and join the talking which sometimes leads to gossiping, but I believe no one means any harm to anyone. It is just to pass the time and so does not notice the manual work.

This way the food is cooked and when it is eating time we gather and eat in and around the house. Most of the foods are delicious because they are cooked by women who usually cook big meals at the monasteries.

Another time another house will give a treat in turn and so we gather at another house. Pots and pans, plates and bowls, and even spoons and knives are borrowed from these houses and after eating the owners themselves come and look for their things and take them back.

It is a kind of giving or Dana in Pali. It is a meritorious deed, meritorious for the people who foot the expense. And also for the people who do the manual work of preparing the food and also who just come to eat. Because even if you want to do alms giving and there is no one to give to, your Dana will not be accomplished. So it is meritorious for all of us who give money, who give service and who come to enjoy. Beside this it is a good thing because we all have a happy time.