Buddhist monasteries in India, which have monks and apprentices in residence, are seeing a spurt in the number of COVID-19 infected patients within their fold, according to media reports. A large number of virus positive cases have been reported from many monasteries in the Himalayan states since May this year.
Earlier in the year, in March, the local administration had to declare the area around Gyuto Tantric Buddhist Monastery in Himachal Pradesh a containment zone when over 150 monks tested positive.
In May this year, several monks from the Gonjang monastery and Dharma Chakra Centre in Rumtek in Sikkim were found to be COVID-19 positive.
What has been a matter of great attraction to visitors&ndashthe lifestyle of the monks&ndashis now one of the main reasons why the monasteries are finding it difficult to contain the spread of the infection. The Buddhist monasteries are home to monks and apprentices&ndashtheir number dependent on the importance and size of the monastery&ndashwho pray and study together, share accommodation and dining space. Hence if one person is affected, especially if someone is asymptomatic, it is difficult to contain the outbreak within the monastery.
Similar cases in other religious institutions with monks and other staff in residence cannot be ruled out too. Although public places of worship have been shut down periodically to contain the pandemic, the religious institutions have not been able to shut down because it is difficult for the monks and other staff to find an alternative accommodation.
According to media reports, the local administration where the monasteries are located are ensuring that the members eligible for the vaccine are inoculated.
