Venerable Kumara

Type of Donation:       living kidney donor

Age and Location:      Age 29 - Fort Pierce, FL

Date of Transplant:           09/17/2018

Sponsor:                      Honored by Bridge to Life

VENERABLE’S STORY

Venerable Kumara explained that before Buddha became enlightened, he practiced types of Great Virtues called Parami. One of them is the Virtue of Donation (Dana Parami). Among the various donations, body part donation is a higher virtue and the hardest to practice. By donating any kind of body part, while living or in death, others can benefit by regaining health and happiness to strengthen the lifespan.

Because of this learning, Venerable Kumara wished to donate his body for the good of others. Venerable Kumara is a Burmese Buddhist monk born in Mandalay, Myanmar. Kumara's journey in Buddhism began at age 9, when he lived at a local monastery and became a novice to study Buddhist teachings. At age 20, he became a monk, practicing Buddha's sutra and dharma in daily life. Since his adolescence, he's donated blood many times, as well assisted with transporting patients in need of surgery to the hospital.

One day, the temple where Kumara received his Buddhist education notified him that Mr. Maung Maung Myint in America needed a kidney transplant. Mr. Maung Maung Myint supports his family as a chef for a small sushi business. Upon testing, Kumara was found to be a match for Maung Maung; Kumara didn't hesitate to offer his kidney. After his donation, he didn't notice any negative decline in his health, but instead was gaining strength post-surgery.

He is a happier person knowing that the kidney recipient is living his life to the fullest and he is returning to work with the same quality of life he had before he had kidney disease. Kumara's advice to all his disciples and all human beings is if you want to live a pleased and happy life, please save the life of another. Donate now! Donate our materials, blood, or become a living donor in present time. Even after death, our bodies can save patients in need.

Don't do anything bad, do all good things and Purify your heart and mind!