Moritz, sadhu for inform. I thought something could have happened as I noticed a longer internal — than the usual — with no post from Bhante Johann.
I hope that all this coronavirus issue isn't causing much problems for Bhante Johann, Bhante Khemakumara or for you in Cambodia.
Sadhu,
Danilo, for the good wishes.
Not really sure if the police, trying to enforce corona spread mitigation measures, are focussed so much more on foreigners, or just generally everyone who seems to be straying "out of their bounds", but it might be just easier to spot "foreigners". I mostly know hearsay while staying safely inside the Wat. So for me, so far, there are not many problems, while I am staying here inside the golden cage of Wat Akyum.
But for a foreign-looking monk who tries to walk 150 kilometers, it will be difficult to avoid getting into trouble I think.
The only "problem" inside here for me might be that people maybe tend to avoid contact a little bit. Although that is surely in large part also due to the language barrier and my own incompetence at understanding how to integrate here, I think it is also at least a little bit influenced by (justified) corona fear. Because I am coughing and sneezing a little bit sometimes (but it's getting better), it is not unreasonable to assume that I might carry the coronavirus. What is just a little cough and sneeze for a relatively young and healthy person like me might be dangerous for older, not so healthy people if they get infected.
Not really so much a problem for me, making it easier to isolate myself and keep my usual antisocial tendencies, trying to do some computer work (with a mostly very slow and unstable internet connection, tiny steps take a long time).
Bhante Khemakumara, who apparently was able to get out of the Wat to go on almsround this morning, told that the people were very happy to be able to give alms, but at the same time they were afraid. Making sure to close their mouth very fast, or to bow down very deep while receiving the Anumodana, to not possibly get any droplets of virus into their face. And then after the act of almsgiving, quickly turned away and turned their face mask on. But going to the next shop or market stand before, to buy this or that, did not seem to cause so much concern for them.
I have reason to worry that I might really carry the virus and spread it to others. So I think I should be careful.
But mostly I still worry what might happen to Bhante Johann when he gets caught and cannot show or even point to a possible location of a passport (because I think he threw it away long ago). After three days with no sign, I assume he has had no opportunity to access the internet so far. He left the Sangha tablet here. He would only ask to borrow a mobile phone from a fellow monk if there is an opportunity I think. I don't think he would ask to borrow from a layperson (which would break some Vinaya rule I think, to ask for something like that) - like a police officer or prison ward. If he ends up being put into jail, for straying without passport, maybe no one would hear about it.
Bhante Khemakumara does not seem to worry. He says Bhante Johann knows what he's doing.
That may be so. But it might still be troublesome and unhealthy for him.
Three months ago, Bhante Johann said he does not need this body anymore and it would only be a burden to repair it another time. I really hope it would last a little bit longer and not be "used up" very quickly again, after only a short time of recuperation. Malaria and dengue fever may break out again any time when he is weakened.
Bhante Khemakumara also said I should not worry if people avoid contact. Because contact is the cause for feeling. And feeling is the cause for craving... and so on.
I think that is a bit too "far out" for me. So I am happy to have the opportunity to at least seek some contact here and share my worries a little bit.