Every encounter with Pomnyuan Sunim is inspirational, he lights up your day with a smile!
In September 2025 INEB’s enigmatic patron Pomnyun Sunim visited Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand on a mission to better understand the situations of refugees and novice monks. Alongside JTS (Join Together Society) and INEB support teams, the activist first toured villages in Myanmar that had been affected by the earthquake in March 2025. At that time JTS provided significant donations which reached thousands of people affected by the disaster. Starting at the Shwe Sat Kyar Nunnery, the group approved funding for materials to improve the building structure, much to the delight of 100 students and 26 nuns living in the monastic school.
Next, they visited a remote school with 600 students mostly from refugee backgrounds. The Dhamma Gun Yee Myint Myint Khin Nunnery had been badly damaged by the earthquake and was still in a state of disrepair. At the end of this busy day Sunim found time to learn about the Sagaing refugee camp, a mass displacement of 4,471 people in urgent need of support, many living in desperate circumstances since the earthquake or due to civil war.
To fundamentally reduce the refugee problem, we need to provide sufficient development support to poor countries so their people can make a living in their own nations. Simultaneously, reducing wealth gaps within wealthy countries could ease resistance to refugees. However, the reality is that both sides are in a state of extreme polarization. This is why refugee movements continue to increase and resistance toward refugees is growing in each country (Sunim’s weekly dharma assembly, 17th September 2025, jungtosociety.org)
After leaving Myanmar, the expedition continued to Cambodia where they visited the Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University where JTS had built a dormintory for female students last year. “I heard that you were born and raised in rural areas and your family circumstances are difficult. The way to escape poverty is through education and self-reliance. I hope this dormitory helps you in your living and learning” (September 18, 2025- Visit to Battambang Campus, jungtosociety.org)
Sunim’s entourage was warmly welcomed to Thailand by villagers from the Tai Lue indegenous group, first at the Wat Nikrotharam School then Wat Nong Bua Temple where traditional crafts, music and farming methods are still practiced. Next was an inspection of a plot of land where a vocational centre is planned for novice monks. The land would also be used for cultivation of vegetables and teaching agricultural practices. The area had suffered from floods in August and the villagers were grateful for emergency support.
The next day, the group travelled north of Chiang Mai to the border region, beginning at the Krungjaw Learning Center inside a refugee camp where Shan ethnic group members fled to Thailand due to persecution by the Myanmar government forces. An important situation was discussed about how to protect girls from war by allowing more young women to become nuns and providing them with a nunnery, which like temples, are usually protected from fighting and excluded from bombing. However, an issue persists within Thailand where government religious authorities don’t officially recognize nuns. INEB is advocating for change in the law to give Samanera the chance to become Bhikkhunīs. Additionally, INEB shared information that 2500 novices had fled from conscription and fighting in Myanmar by studying to become monks in Thailand. This group also needs support, including education.
This visit by Pomnyun Sunim was to assess the current situation firsthand and to see the challenges encountered by those displaced by war and natural disasters. He witnessed communities in genuine need of protection and learnt about the plight of novices, the situation of girls and the work being done by monks. INEB and JTS are both committed to the protection of children in buddhist institutions and together we can improve the lives of many young people.
Read the full articles of Pomnyun Sunim’s impactful visit to Southeast Asia from Jungto Society here:
Myanmar: https://www.jungtosociety.org/pomnyun_250916/
Cambodia: https://www.jungtosociety.org/pomnyun_250918/
Thailand: https://www.jungtosociety.org/pomnyun_250921/
