TWO Buddhist monks will give a talk about their lives in St Briavels as part of an event to raise money to help people affected by an earthquake in Myanmar earlier this year.

The talk will take place at the St Briavels Assembly Rooms on Saturday (October 4) at 7pm.

It will also feature a specially-prepared Burmese meal for those attending to enjoy.

There is a large Meditation in St Braivels along Park Lane, which is run by the Oxford Buddhist Centre. It is run on a voluntary basis by Burmese devotees.

In March of this year, there was a devastating earthquake, which affected the areas from Mandalay in the north, down to the south. Thousands of people died, homes, infrastructure, industry and schools, along the fault line of the quake, destroyed.

The Meditation centre is run by Burmese, Thai, and Sri Lankan volunteers for the benefit of all in the Forest of Dean.

They welcome all who visit the centre, either for simply a quick look round or to practice meditation on Tuesday evenings, which arefFree of charge and open to all.

A spokesperson for the centre said: “It was felt that we in St Briavels, were in a position to give something back to those struggling, still living out among the rubble of and destruction of their villages.

“With that in mind, a fundraising event has been organized by the volunteers of St Briavels Assembly Rooms, which will take place in the evening, on Saturday, October 4.

“We have invited two resident monks to come along to give a talk on their lives as monks.

“The ups and not so downs along with, the level of education they receive once they become a novice monk, to the present day.

“There are very few schools in Myanmar due to the ongoing war.

“The monks will be prepared to answer questions from the audience. “Following on there will be a presentation, which will give people an interesting visual insight into their routine.

“An ongoing raffle has been organized by both the local community and the Meditation Centre.

“Companies such as Jewsons, The Co-Op; Waterstones bookshop, Warhammer in Cribbs Causeway; Entertainer Cribbs Causeway; NG Thai Restaurant Lydney and Katy, a volunteer has offered a wonderful book to be raffled off , “Burma to Myanmar” written by the British Museum.

“More recently a private individual donated £100 to the fund.

“The Raffle will be ongoing througout the evening, along with the bar being open for drinks.

“Burmese ladies from London have volunteered to come along and cook a Burmese supper for all who attend. “We would love as many people as possible to come along on the evening of the fourth, both to enjoy an evening out with the devotees of the centre, to meet the monks, to win a lovely raffle prize, have a lovely Burmese supper. and enjoy themselves.

“It is not a religious event. It will introduce people to life of people in Park Farm.”

Entry is £10.