Yangon: The Buddhist season of Waso could provide an important opportunity for Christians and Buddhists in Myanmar to come together through prayer, compassion and service as the country continues to face political instability and humanitarian hardship, according to a Jesuit priest working in the country.
Fr. Girish Santiago, SJ, the Jesuits’ regional superior in Myanmar, described Waso as a meaningful bridge for interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding. He said the season offers Christians an opportunity to better understand Buddhist spiritual traditions while finding common values that can encourage cooperation and reconciliation.
Waso is observed during the rainy season and marks the beginning of the three month Buddhist Lent, also known as the rain retreat. Myanmar is predominantly a Theravada Buddhist country, with Buddhists making up about 87 percent of the population.
During Waso, Buddhist monks traditionally remain in their monasteries for prayer, meditation and the study of religious teachings. Lay Buddhists also use the period to strengthen their spiritual discipline, follow moral teachings and show generosity toward monastic communities. Many offer food, robes, candles and other essential items to monks.
Fr. Santiago said that after spending the past decade in Myanmar, he has been deeply touched by the strong religious commitment shown by Buddhist monks, nuns and ordinary believers.
Although Waso is not part of the Christian liturgical calendar, he said its spiritual values can help create greater understanding between the two religious communities. He pointed to several areas where Buddhist and Catholic traditions can find common ground.
One of these is prayer and contemplation. The Buddhist practice of retreat and meditation, he said, can be compared with the Christian invitation to step away from daily concerns and spend time in prayer and reflection.
He also noted similarities between Waso and the Christian season of Lent. Both periods encourage people to strengthen their spiritual lives through prayer, self discipline, repentance, generosity and concern for others.
The Buddhist teachings of mettā, which means loving kindness, and karuṇā, meaning compassion, also have strong similarities with the Christian call to love God and one's neighbour. Fr. Santiago said these shared values can encourage believers from both traditions to look beyond religious differences and ask how they can respond to people who are suffering.
The priest also highlighted the importance of nonviolence and reconciliation. Both Buddhism and Christianity, he said, place importance on human dignity, forgiveness, peace and the protection of vulnerable people. These principles are especially significant in Myanmar, where prolonged conflict has caused widespread suffering and displacement.
Another area of shared concern is simplicity. The spiritual practices of both traditions can encourage people to move away from excessive attachment to material possessions and self centeredness. This can help believers reflect on what prevents them from becoming more generous and compassionate toward others.
Fr. Santiago said Waso can also create opportunities for Christians and Buddhists to build friendships, engage in respectful conversations and cooperate in humanitarian activities. Such encounters can help communities discover practical ways to serve people affected by conflict and hardship.
He also referred to Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas, published on May 25, 2026. The document emphasizes the importance of authentic dialogue between religions while recognizing theological differences and identifying shared human values that can contribute to the common good.
For Myanmar, where political instability and humanitarian challenges continue to affect communities, Fr. Santiago believes these shared spiritual values can offer a source of hope.
The monsoon rains that accompany Waso provide a powerful image for this hope. Just as rain supports the country's fields and agricultural communities, he said people of faith must continue to work and pray for peace.
The Jesuit priest expressed hope that the shared commitment to prayer, generosity and compassion during Waso could help strengthen relationships between Christians and Buddhists and contribute to reconciliation across Myanmar.
In a country marked by deep divisions and suffering, the season can therefore become more than a period of religious observance. It can also serve as an opportunity for people of different faiths to listen to one another, respond to human suffering together and work toward a more peaceful future.