Draft:Mingun Buddhist Home for the Aged

Entry Gate of Mingun Buddhist Home for the Aged

The Mingun Buddhist Home for the Aged (Burmese: မင်းကွန်း လူအိုရုံ) is a prominent elder care facility located in Mingun, Sagaing Region, Myanmar. Founded in 1915 by the humanitarian and Buddhist nun Oo Zun, it is recognized as Myanmar's first Buddhist elderly care home and has played a pioneering role in elderly care within the country.

History

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The Mingun Buddhist Home for the Aged was established by Oo Zun, who was motivated by the lack of Buddhist elder care facilities. She funded the home by selling her personal property and named it Mingun Buddhist Infirmary. The facility was strategically located near the Mingun Bell, a significant cultural and historical landmark.

Facilities and services

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The Mingun Buddhist Home for the Aged offers comprehensive services for elderly residents, including:

  • Residential Accommodations: The facility provides private and shared rooms designed for comfort and accessibility.
  • Healthcare Services: Regular medical check-ups, emergency care, and management of chronic conditions. The home collaborates with local Mandalay General Hospital for specialized care.
  • Daily Living Assistance: Includes personal hygiene support, meal preparation, and mobility assistance.
  • Recreational and Spiritual Activities: Meditation sessions, cultural events, and social activities aimed at enhancing the quality of life.
  • Spiritual Support: Integration of Buddhist teachings and practices into daily routines, with regular visits from monks.

Legacy

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Oo Zun is celebrated as the "mother of elderly homes" in Myanmar due to her pioneering work in establishing the first Buddhist elder care home. Her initiative set a precedent for the development of similar institutions in Myanmar and inspired numerous other elderly care facilities across the country.

References

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Further reading

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  • Clements, William M. (19 March 2019). Religion, Aging and Health: A Global Perspective. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-67029-9.
  • Myint, Ni Ni (2002). The Status of Myanmar Women. Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women.
  • "The Day a Pioneer of Care for the Elderly Was Honored". The Irrawaddy. 22 April 2019.
  • Khin, Nyo Nyo (2018). "History of the Mingun Buddhist Home for the Aged" (PDF). Mandalay University of Foreign Languages Research Journal. 9.
  • "ဘိုးဘွားရိပ်သာများ၏ မိခင်ဒေါ်ဦးဇွန်း တိုင်းပြည်အကျိုးဆောင် T.P.S ဘွဲ့ချီးမြှင့်ခံရခြင်း". The Irrawaddy (in Burmese). 22 April 2019.