From monk to fighter

After the Feb. 1, 2021 Myanmar coup that deposed the democratically elected government, Buddhist monk Shin Sarita took part in anti-junta protests. But when people across the country began joining People’s Defense Force militias, he decided to leave the monkhood after 14 years and join a PDF unit.

Along with a new life, the former monk has adopted a new name - Phoenix. He said being in the militia has been very challenging after having lived most of his life as a monk, but that he believes the resistance will prevail.

Photos by Kaung Zaw Hein, Myanmar Pressphoto Agency