January 05, 2005

Buddhist monks use art to teach compassion about HIV/AIDS. Laotion monks have developed a series of posters aimed at spreading love and compassion for people living with HIV and AIDS, while addressing the stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease.

The Sangha Metta Project, initiated by monks in response to the need for them to have a more active role in HIV/AIDS prevention and care, is an example of such Buddhist outreach in Southeast Asia on a larger scale. The project, which began in Thailand, has spread to neighboring countries such as Laos and has monks train to work with affected people by being in close contact with them and accepting and eating alms food made by people with HIV/AIDS.