Religious of Myanmar

Do you know the religious of Myanmar? Myanmar is one of the countries which devotes in “Theravada Buddhism”. What is Theravada Buddhism?

Buddhism encompass the “Three Gems: the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.” It is not a religion in the strict sense of the word as it is not a system of faith worship. Each person must seek his own salvation, take responsibility for his own thoughts, words and deeds and not depend on a savior. Buddha only showed the way to one’s salvation and one is not expected to accept it blindly, for Buddha even advised his followers to examine his teachings, test them and accept them only when convinced of their veracity.

Buddhism has evolved into two schools: Theravada and Mahayana. The goal of the Theravada devotee is to seek his own salvation by study and understanding the canon, by practicing mindfulness meditation and through these endeavours to achieve the freedom of Nirvana (Enlightenment) so as not to be reborn into the cycle of life. Mahayana predominates mainly in North Asian countries.

The BUDDHA

The great teacher Buddha Gautama was born more than 2600 years ago as Siddhartha, an Indian prince of the Sakkya clan who lived a life of luxury until he was twenty-nine. He then became aware of the miseries of mankind and renounced his throne and family to set forth on his search for the Truth that would free mankind from suffering. After six years of meditation he found it and his principles, based on the discovery of how to lead a harmonious life, are collectively called Buddhism. He passed away at the age of eighty.

The DHAMMA

In Dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha, he stressed the need to eradicate the three roots of evil that are the causes of suffering: Lobha (greed, craving), Dosa (anger, hatred) and Moha (ignorance, delusion).

Morality is the basis of the Buddha’s teachings and the Eightfold Path also known as the Middle Way teaches adherents to avoid these three roots of evil and to live a moral life.

They are:

-          Right Understanding: having insightful knowledge of the Dhamma.

-          Right Thought: having thoughts that are free from lust, ill will and cruelty and thoughts of loving kindness, compassion, non-hatred and objectivity for all living beings.

-          Right Speech: abstaining from speaking false words, slander, rude, harsh and abusive language and idle, frivolous gossip.

-          Right Action: conduct that is moral, honourable and not harmful to others.

-          Right Livelihood: avoiding a living that is harmful to others.

-          Right Effort: to be diligent in the avoidance of evil by thought, word and deed.

-          Right Mindfulness: to be consciously aware of all the activities of mind and body.

-          Right Concentration: meditating to prevent violent emotions from arising.

The SANGHA

Members of the Sangha, or community of monks, study Buddha’s canon and spread his teachings and live according to 227 rules that include eating only food that is donated to them.

Monks are not required to be vegetarians, as the rule is to accept any food donated to them.

Ref; Ma Thanegi (My Magical Myanmar)

Myanmar MUSIC & DANCE

MUSIC

Traditional Myanmar music is played without notes. The orchestra leader plays the drums with his fingers while seated within the circular frame hung with 21 small drums. The gong circle is in a smaller, lower frame. There is the oboe as a wind instrument, and tiny cymbals and bamboo clappers keep the tempo. The biggest drum is hung from a golden, decorated frame topped with the mythical creature, the Pyinsa Rupa. Solo instruments are the xylophone with bamboo slats, and the elegantly curved and tasseled Myanmar harp.

DANCE

Myanmar choreography is series of movements gracefully flowing from one step to the other with slight pauses in between, when the pose is rigidly held for a few seconds. The pace can be fast or slow according to the type of dance. The criteria are that human should dance as if they were marionettes and marionettes, as if they were humans.

ZAT PERFORMANCE

Zat is the traditional Myanmar dance-drama led by a male dancer. A large number of pretty female dancers will make up the corps de ballet, dancing ducts in turn with the leading man. The repertoire includes a classical play, comic sketches, a musical interlude called AwpairRa (opera), and a modern play. The show ends at dawn.

ANYEINT PERFORMANCE

Anyeint is a dance troupe led by female dancer. The principal dancer comes on stage last after three or four of her protégés have taken their turn with their own style of dancing and their own songs. The danseuse is usually accompanied by four comics dressed in jackets, large checked waist-garments and wrap around turbans. The dancing is quick and lively. The program lasts from about 7pm to midnight.

Credit: Ma Thanegi (My Magical Myanmar)

Myanmar Traditional Dance

Myanmar Orchestra

ZAT Performance

Part of a ZAT Performance

ZAT Performance

Myanmar Orchestra Musicians

Myanmar ANYEINT

Myanmar ANYEINT

ANYEINT Performance

Myanmar Marionettes

Myanmar Marionettes

Myanmar Traditional Chinlone (Cane Ball)

Traditional Chinlone (cane ball) Sport has been developed and played by Myanmar nationals since ancient Pyu era and spread out to other regions through Sumatra and its small islands. Many researchers concluded the origin of Chinlone as Myanmar.

The sport of playing Chinlone was developed in Myanmar many years ago and in the era of King Bo Daw Phaya, it was ordered to play at traditional festivals. Since then, Myanmar has maintained the Chinlone sport tradition by playing it widely across the country. Not only playing in the country but also breaking through the international borders and rules have been drawn as a sport and it was introduced by Myanmar at 27^th Southeast Asian Games hosted by Myanmar as a traditional sport.

Chinlone is made of rattan and its size is five inches in diameter. It is a sport but doesn’t need to compete by using force like as other games. It is only important in how exactly, beautifully a competitor can play the cane-ball and how he can play with creative skill.

Myanmar Chinlone is really a combination of sport, fairness and dance by moving forthwith the players’ heads, feet, waists and hands. Therefore, playing with a traditional orchestra, we can see it like as dancing of a male dancer without delay.

Myanmar traditional Chinlone has been handed down since the ancient times and rules were made by ancient Myanmar specifically. The typical playing circle of the traditional Chinlone is 22 feet in diameter and played by six persons and extra two. There are six basic kicks in it. This means players can use six points of the body to contact with the ball. These are the top of the toes, the inner and outer sides of the foot, the sole, the heel and the knee. The Chinlone matches are held stage by stage by determining from basic kicks to special kicks.

Many road-side Chinlone playing circles can be seen across the country and Myanmar nationals of every age and both sexes would like to play the Chinlone. When the skilful players play and kick the ball in various beautiful styles, many pedestrians stop the walking to watch. Kicking the cane ball not to drop to the ground by the players is very amazing. In circle kick or Weing Chin, it needs to play by all of the players in unity than the beautiful solo kicks. Therefore, fairness and unity are essential for the winning of a circle kick of Myanmar Chinlone.

Myanmar traditional Chinlone differs from Sepak Takraw. Sepak Takraw uses force by kicking the ball from side to side over a net. It also uses a synthetic ball. In Myanmar traditional Chinlone, it uses rattan ball only and it can be said as an artful character of unity.

If the readers would like to know, feel and see more about Myanmar Traditional Chinlone, you can see the record film named “Mystic Ball” at www.mysticball-themovie.com too.

On 27 December, The Second Asian Traditional Chinlone Game is to be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar and not only the Asia nations such as India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and host Myanmar but also Brazil will compete for the first time.

We present this article with the aim of developing and spreading out the Myanmar Traditional Chinlone Sport more and more.

Ref; Myanmar Compass

Chinlone (or) Rottan/Cane Ball

Performance of a Myanmar Lady

Making a cane ball

Playing Chinlone

Cane ball playing @ SEA Game

Playing styles of Chinlone

Chinlone Game

The meaning of chinlone game

Mandalay: World Renowned U Bein Bridge and Taung Thaman Lake

Ancient Painting of U Bein Bridge

Mandalay in central Myanmar is rated number 8 in the list of world's friendliest cities. Blessed with many ancient monuments and a number of famous Buddhist monasteries in and around, the former city of the kings has become a major tourist destination attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.

It is the capital city in central Myanmar and the hub of transportation as many motorways, railways, waterways from various parts of the country are linked. It was founded by penultimate King Mindon in 1859 and unlike many other hustle and bustle cities which in due course of time developed from the state of village or small town, the location of the city was carefully chosen by King Mindon at his will.

As a result of it, the city's plan was quite systematic forming grid pattern at its four cardinal points where crenellated wall encircled the city. Although there are a lot of famous attraction places in and around Mandalay, the wooden U Bein bridge earns its status as a must-go.

The weather is fine from October to May. It means no rain. Around 4 o’clock in the evening, the sun shone neither too hot nor cold and that made the weather very favorable. At the very moment I arrived at U Bein bridge, spanned the famous lake Taung Thaman, a gentle breeze welcomed me. At the environ around the bridge were dotted with souvenir shops, restaurants, teashops, road-side snack stalls which were always busy with visitors not just from Myanmar but from other countries as well who came there to enjoy the beauty of the bridge and the lake.

As soon as I ascended the bridge, the travelers mostly in groups but some were individuals from local and abroad could be seen. Due to the fact that it’s in the late raining season, the water level was at its full and the perfect combination of the high water level was at its full and the perfect combination of the high water level of the lake and the rickety bridge at the background struck a unique feature.

The atmosphere on the bridge was active and lively with people taking photos, studying closely the architecture of the bridge, strolling on the bridge teasing on another. As a law of nature, some dry leaves from the trees growing near the bank were fallen off by the gust of wind and swirling down to the ground. I breathed the breeze deeply which blew gently across the lake. The surface of the lake was rippling by the wind mixed with rain. Taung Thaman Lake was believed to have existed from the life time of Buddha and it was named after one of four ogres when Buddha was alive. Some boats shuttling to and from on the water could be observed.

“The number of visitors to Taung Thaman Lake has dramatically increased year after year. Even during the months of low tour season, there are more arrivals of tourist compared to the past years. The number of tourist arrivals to the bridge during high season is from 1000 to 1200 a day or more.” said a local boatman named U Soe Lin.

The most visited time here is in the late afternoon to enjoy sunset but early in the morning is also a famous time. Like the historical wooden bridge itself, the boatmen from the lake are also one contributing factor which makes this place pleasurable and favorable. In spite of the fact that a boat can carry 15 passengers at maximum, they are allowed to carry just five persons of local and two for foreigner for their safety. There are about 50 boats and they charge Ks 12,000. For the globe-trotter, photographing when they are in the boat is a great opportunity. U Bein bridge is one of the most ancient and the longest wooden bridges in the world. The construction of the bridge commenced in 1849 when the King of Ava shifted his palace to Amarapura and was completed in 1851. Teak posts and other construction materials used in the bridge were from the old palace in Ava. The purpose of building the bridge was for a good communication of villages in eastern site of the lake with Amarapura in the western part.

This 160 year old wooden bridge has withstood the test of time for so many years that it now produces screeching sound every time people walk on it. Some pranks on the floor come off and some teak posts are in a bad condition now. Although the bridge was built for the convenient transportation, it’s now an object of antiquity recognized as the world fame. It is nearly 4,000 feet long with 1,086 teak posts and 482 compartments and beside that there are four rest houses (pavilions) where passersby can take rest on the benches to enjoy the scene of the lake.

As I walked to the western end of the bridge, I’ve seen a line of (Cassia Siamea) Mezali trees growing on the bank of the lake. There trees were grown for the purpose of preventing from the onslaught of wind and wave for the bridge. These trees were planted in 1875 and it was 24 years after the construction of the bridge. Although there were 103 trees altogether at those time, only 80 trees are left for the time being.

After gazing at the Amarapura from the westernmost part of the bridge, I returned home back. Looking at the bridge, age-ridden teak posts and flooring with fading colour were sighted noticeably. As the bridge has weathered natural elements for ages, it’s of great value and priceless.

Chilling in the Taung Thaman Lake

Fishing in Taung Thaman Lake from U Bein Bridge

Fishing in the Lake

Old Teak Post

U Bein Bridge

Sunset time @ the lake

Kayin State

Mt. Zwekabin and Thanlwin (Salween) River

HOW TO GET THERE

The Kayin State is mountainous region renowned for its limestone caves and beautiful scenery. The capital city is Hpa-An, approximately 270km from Yangon. It is easily accessible and a six hour drive from Yangon buses depart daily. It is also possible to access Hpa-An by road from kyaikhtiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock Pagoda).

KAYIN CULTURAL MESEUM

It is a two storey building that displayed Kayin cultural and history and located near Kan Thar Yar Lake. In Museum, there has exhibits about the history of Kayin ethnic group, Kayin literature, culture and kayin musical instruments.

Mt. ZWEKABIN

Mr. Zwekabin is located 11 km south of Hpa-An near Ka Lawk Nose village. It is a key landmark of Kayin State and its peak is 723 m above sea level. It is a three hour hike to the summit where one can enjoy breathtaking views of Hpa-An and the surrounding areas.

BAYINNYI CAVE

Bayinnyi cave is situated 19 km from Hpa-An. The cave is approximately 20 meters in length and has an ancient pagoda with many Buddha statues inside. On the hillside of the cave there is a natural hot and cold spring.

KAWGOON CAVE

Kawgoon is a natural limestone cave and is located 35meter above sea level on the western bank of Thanlwin River in Hpa-An. It is famous for its Mon cultural style clay Buddha images and terracotta votive tablets in its interior walls. This cave dates back to the later Bagan period (13^th century AD). This can be seen in the carved statues, sandstone Buddhist statues, the mural paintings and the ink and carved Mon inscriptions.

SADAN CAVE

Sadan Cave is situated in the southern part of Zwekabin mountain range. It is approximately 32km south of Hpa-An . The cave is 107meters in length and 40meters in width with the entrance being the widest part of the cave. Natural stones, rocks, stalactites and stalagmites can be found in the cave.

MYAWADDY

Myawaddy is one of the Thai-Myanmar Border gateways. It is the link from Myanmar to Maesot in Thailand via Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge which passes over the Thaungyin River (Moei River). Myawaddy is also located on the ASEAN-India Highway Road. The area has been developed for tourism and cross-border trade with Thailand and many tourists use this as a gateway.

Myanmar-Thai Border Gate @ Myawaddy Township

Historic Kawgoon Cave

Kyaukkalat Pagoda

Fisherman @ the Sadan Cave

Kayaking between the paddy fields

Inside the Sadan Cave

Historic monument at the Kawgoon Cave

The view of Thanlwin (or) Salween River from Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda, Hpa-An

Places To Visit In Mon State, Myanmar

Public Transportation in Mawlamyaing

Mon State is situated between Kayin State and the Gulf of Mottama. It has a short border with Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province. The Dawna range runs along the eastern side of the state and also has some small islands. The capital of the state is Mawlamyaing.

Getting To Mawlamyaing

There are regular express coach services to Mawlamyaing from Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. Mawlamyaing can be accessible by train from Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw.

Attractions

Mawlamyaing, Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda (also known as Golden Rock), Thaton, Thanbyuzayat War Memorial death railway, Setse Beach and Kyaikkami Yele Pagoda.

KYAIKHTIYO – The Golden Rock Pagoda

Located 160 km from Yangon, this legendary Pagoda is renowned for its golden rock precariously perched. The pagoda is situated on a rocky mountain at 1100 meters above sea level and is an 11 km hike from the base camp. The pagoda is said to have been built during the life-time of Buddha some 2600 years ago. There are many options for transport and accommodation at Kyaikhtiyo.

MAWLAMYAING

Mawlamyaing was the first capital of the former British Empire and it was a major teak port from 1827 to 1852.

MON CULTURAL MUSEUM

It is a two storey building that displayed Mon cultural and history. The modest collection of the museum, scales with Mon inscriptions, hundred year old sculptures of wood, ceramics, thanaka grinding stones, silver betel boxes, laquerware and folding manuscripts an English language letter dated 22 December 1945 from Bogyoke Aung San to U Chit Hlaing, a prominent Mon Leader, are displayed downstairs and reading rooms are upstairs.

KYAIKTHANLAN PAGODA

Kyaikthanlan pagoda is one of the three famous pagodas build on Mawlamyaing Ridge. A hair relic of Buddha, Tripitaka manuscripts and gold images of Buddha have been enshrined and erected in 875 A.D. Successive kings raised the pagoda higher, from 17 meters to the present 46 meters. A big bell with a medieval Mon inscription and also another bell with an inscription in English, dated 30^th March 1885 can be seen on the platform. Great place to enjoy the sunset.

GAUNGSAY KYUN

Gaungsay Kyun is also known as “Shampoo Island”, during the Inwa (Ava) period, royal hair washing ceremony was held yearly by the water taken from a spring on this island. It is situated in northern-western end of Mawlamyaing and a good place to picnic. This island can access by boat.

KYAIKKAMI YELE PAGODA

Kyaikkami, located 9 km northeast of Thanbyuzayat, was a small coastal resort and missionary center known as Amherst during the British era. The main focus of Kyaikkami is Yele Paya, a metal-roofed Buddhist shrine complex perched over the sea and reached via a long two-level causeway; the tower level is submerged during high tide. Other attractions here are the colonial buildings that are about 100 years old.

SETSE BEACH

Situated from 24 km south of Kyaikkami and 16 km southwest of Thanbyuzayat. This wide, brown-sanded beach tends towards tidal flats when the shallow surf-life recedes at low tide. The beach is lined with waving casuarinas trees.

KYAIKMARAW PAGODA

It is located 24 km south east of Mawlamyaing. The main Buddha image sits in the position of the legs hanging down as if sitting on a chair. Therefore, the temple is famous for the Buddha which is sitting in the “western manner” and it is also well known for its hundreds of beautiful glazed tiles.

PHAAUK MEDITATION CENTRE

Phaauk Meditation Centre was established by monk U Kemarwutnare in 1925. In 1997, meditation camps are opened in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, U.S.A, South Korea, England, India and Germany. Foreign monks have come and strived to Buddha doctrine since 1990. This center is very famous for its Buddhist meditation technique.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

This church was founded by Reverend Adoniram Judson, an American Baptist Missionary, who translated the Bible into Myanmar and compiled an English-Myanmar dictionary. It is Myanmar’s first Baptist Church and situated on the corner of upper Main Road and Jetty Road in Mawlamyaing.

THAN BYU ZAYAT – Death Railway

Thanbyuzayat is 30 km south of Mawlamyaing. It was the western terminus of the infamous “death railway” by the thousands of Allied prisoners of war. A kilometer west of the clock tower in the direction of Kyaikkami lies  the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, which contains 3,771 graves of Allied prisoners of war who died as building the railway. Most of those buried were British and there are also markers for American, Ductch and Australian soldiers. This Death Railway is 415 kilometer (258 miles) long between Bangkok, Thailand and Myanmar to support Japanese forces in the Myanmar campaign.

THAHTON

Thahton is said to be the original capital of the Mons but now that distinction has shifted to Mawlamyaing. However, Thahton still boasts some historical links. There are remnants of an old city wall with the shrine of a Bagan hero, Byatwi, who become a Nat (Spirit) after being killed by the lord of the town when he fell in love with the governor’s beautiful daughter. Now he is regarded as the guardian of the town and people come here to pray.

Famous Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda (also known as Golden Rock)

Win Sein, biggest reclining buddha in Myanmar

Death railway

Nowaday, Thanbyuzayat Station

Kyaikmaraw Pagoda

Phaauk Meditation Centre

Setse Beach

Strand Road, Mawlamyine

Kyaikkami Yele Pagoda

First Baptist Church in Mawlamyine

Mosque in Mawlamyaing

Panoramic view from Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, Mawlamyine