Today in Myanmar » Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda Guide

Bamarlay — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 06:47:40 +0000

History According to legend, Shwedagon Pagoda was built more than 2,500 years ago during the time of Lord Buddha. The two merchant brothers from then Okkalapa (now Yangon) met with Gautama Buddha shortly after he attained enlightenment, and became the first disciples of Lord Buddha. Gautama Buddha gave them eight hair relics which they brought back to their country. In Okkalapa, they built the first pagoda in the history of Buddhism, Shwedagon on the holy Singuttara Hill. Although there is no archeological evidence to support this official story, most Buddhists in Myanmar and around the world believe in this story and Shwedagon becomes one of the most important centers of Buddhism. For detailed history of Shwedagon Pagoda, please see the article Shwedagon Pagoda History. Stairways (Zaung-dans) Most visitors to Shwedagon Pagoda climbed up the Singuttara Hill by one of four stairways or zaungdans. Shwedagon Pagoda, like most other pagodas in Myanmar, has four stairways or zaungdans, one on each side of the pagoda (north, south, east and west). The stairway that is most used by the foreign visitors is the Southern Stairway, which ascends from the direction of the city center. The stairway starts immediately at the end of the [...]

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Mandalay Travel Guide – Kyauktawgyi Pagoda

Bamarlay — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:17:41 +0000

Introduction and Historical Note Located near the south stairway (Zaungdan) of Mandalay Hill is Kyauktawgyi Pagoda. The pagoda was the merit of the King Mindon who was also the builder of Mandalay. The construction of Kyauktawgyi Pagoda started in 1853 but could finish only in 1878, partly due to its massive size and partly to the palace rebellion of 1866. It was modeled after famous Ananda Temple of Bagan, with the main structure being a huge sitting Buddha Image, carved from a single massive block of marble. The original marble stone was brought from the Sagyin Mountain Query twelve miles north of Mandalay City. The huge marble stone was carried on a massive raft along the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwaddy) River to the river bank near Mandalay. From there, it took 10,000 men 13 days to carry the stone to its current place near the base of Mandalay Hill. Structure Originally modeled after the Ananda Temple of Bagan, the pagoda differs considerably from Ananda Temple at the time of completion. In the centre of the Pagoda structure is a shrine which houses the huge marble sitting Buddha which was carved from a single marble stone. The Buddha is a Bhumisparsha Mudra which [...]

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Mandalay Travel Guide – Maha Myatmuni Pagoda

Bamarlay — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:04:02 +0000

A visit to Mandalay would not be complete without a visit to Maha Muni (Maha Myat Muni, also spelled Mahamyatmuni or Maha Myatmuni or Mahamuni) Buddha image. Considered as the most sacred Buddha image in Mandalay and in Myanmar, Maha Muni Buddha image draws a large crowd of devotees from all over Myanmar. The pagoda is also known as Rakhine (Arakan) Paya or Payagyi (Great Pagoda). Legend During the time of Gautama Buddha, King Sanda Thuria (Chandra Surya) of the Kingdom of Dhannavati, the ancient kingdom of Rakhine, invited Gautama Buddha to the capital. Buddha taught the king and the people of Dhannavati the path to nirvana for a week. Before Buddha left, King Chandra Surya asked Gautama Buddha to “leave us the shape of yourself“, to which Gautama Buddha agreed. While Gautama Buddha was meditating, Sakka the king of heaven cast the bronze image of Gautama Buddha. Lord Buddha was so pleased with the image that he breathed upon the image, thus bringing it to life. The king and people of Dhannavati place the image on the diamond studded throne on Sirigutta Hill, and revered it as the sacred living image. History According to the archeologists, Dhannavati was built [...]

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Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Nine wonders of Shwedagon Pagoda

Bamarlay — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:55:48 +0000

This is about nine wonders of Shwedagon Pagoda. For a complete guide, see the article Complete Shwedagon Pagoda Guide. Traditionally, Burmese believe that there are nine wonders in Shwedagon Pagoda. Burmese Buddhists believe these wonders could grant your wishes come true. 1. Tawagu Wish-Fulfilling Buddha, which is located in a niche behind the Eastern Stairway, on the upper platform. Only men are allowed into this upper platform but there is a television in the Eastern Devotion Hall where the CCTV image of the Tawagu Buddha Image is shown. Burmese believe this Buddha image can grant your wish to come true. 2. The Weitzer Zawgyi Pagoda (Pagoda of Wizards and Necromancers) near the Saturday Corner, which is in the South-West corner of the main Shwedagon stupa. The small pagoda is decorated with figures of wizards and necromencers. It was built by Daw Oo of Sint Oo Dan Street, Yangon. The popular belief is that this stupa was built with the use of supernatural powers. Some people believe higher beings come and meditate here quite often. 3. Shin Saw Pu (Shin Saw Bu) Buddha Image near north-west corner was built by Queen Shin Saw Pu of Hansawaddy (Hanthawaddy) Dynasty, who is the [...]

Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Nine wonders of Shwedagon Pagoda is an article from Myanmar Today, a site about Myanmar news, culture, custom, information and travel advice.

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Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Floor Plan and Map

Bamarlay — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:49:38 +0000

This is article is floor plan and map of Shwedagon Pagoda. For a complete guide, see the article Complete Shwedagon Pagoda Guide. 1. Southern stairway 2. Western stairway 3. Northern stairway 4. Eastern stairway 5. Southern main shrine – Temple of the Konagomana Buddha 6. Chinese Merited Association Tazaung (Buddhist Shrine) 7. Hall of Golden and Silver Hills 8. Shrine of Sun and Moon 9. Commemorative Column for first Rangoon University students’ boycott 10. Guardian spirit of Shwedagon Pagoda 11. Hall of U Thin and Daw Thet Pyin 12. Rakhine Tazaung 13. Daw Pwint Tazaung 14. Statues of Melamu and Sakka 15. Koo Chein Kan and Ma Kyee Kyee Hall 16. Two Pice Tazaung 17. Main west shrine – Temple of the Kassapa Buddha 18. Pagoda of the Eight Weekdays 19. Maha Gandha Bell 20. U Po Thaung Hall 21. Shin Saw Pu Shrine 22. Maha Bodhi Tree 23. Hall of Great Prosperity 24. Victory Ground 25. Eleven – Shrine cluster 26. Chan Ma Phee’s Hall 27. Buddha’s Foot prints Hall 28. Zediyingana Society 29. Sandawdwin Pagoda 30. North main shrine – Temple of the Gautama Buddha 31. Maha Bodhi Pagoda 32. Hall of Wizards 33. Saw La Paw’s Pagoda [...]

Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Floor Plan and Map is an article from Myanmar Today, a site about Myanmar news, culture, custom, information and travel advice.

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Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – History

Bamarlay — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:52:25 +0000

This article is history of Shwedagon Pagoda. For a complete guide, see the article Complete Shwedagon Pagoda Guide. According to legend, Shwedagon Pagoda was built more than 2,500 years ago during the time of Lord Buddha. The two merchant brothers from then Okkalapa (now Yangon) met with Gautama Buddha shortly after he attained enlightenment, and became the first disciples of Lord Buddha. Gautama Buddha gave them eight hair relics which they brought back to their country. In Okkalapa, they built the first pagoda in the history of Buddhism, Shwedagon on the holy Singuttara Hill. Although there is no archeological evidence to support this official story, most Buddhists in Myanmar and around the world believe in this story and Shwedagon becomes one of the most important centers of Buddhism. Many archeologists believe Shwedagon was built between 6 and 10 century AD by Mons. Although the true history of Shwedagon pagoda is shrouded in mystery, it was already well established when Burmese in Bagan dominated the central Burma in 11 century AD. King Anawrahta of Bagan visited Shwedagon during one of his excavation into lower Burma. In 1372, Mon King Banya U renovated Shwedagon Pagoda. In late fourteenth century, famous Mon King [...]

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Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Travel Story – 4

Bamarlay — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:46:39 +0000

28 October, 2007 8:25 AM At Yathe-taung, we paid 1,300 kyat (US$ 1.20) for bus and arrived back to the base camp. I was quite hungry by that time but I was also running low on money so could only had oiled rice with fried egg. On the way back, I had some questions popping up in my mind about the trip and Kyaikhtiyo. I couldn’t find the answers. If any of you could answer these questions, please let all of us know. 1. In Kyaikhtiyo legend, it was said that the pagoda was built on the rock which resembles the head of the Tissa Hermit, and thus called Kyaikhtiyo in Mon, meaning that “which was carried over the Hermit’s head”. I tried to look at the head, but could not find any resemblance to the head. I then tried to find the statue of the Tissa Hermit, but his head in the statue was nowhere near the rock. Finally, I realized that by the time they found the head, the hermit was already in his death bed, lying down. Then the head of a lying down person would resemble the rock. 2. Near the entrance of Kyaikhtiyo, there was [...]

Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Travel Story – 4 is an article from Myanmar Today, a site about Myanmar news, culture, custom, information and travel advice.

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Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Travel Story – 3

Bamarlay — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 12:28:45 +0000

27 October 2007 2:40 PM Suddenly turned dark with fogs, and the weather suddenly became cold. We sat at a tea shop and had a cup of tea and snack. All day we had been walking and our whole body had a full exercise, so here at the teashop, we did our neck exercise – swing our head from side to side looking at beautiful girls walking in the street. 6:15 PM Until now we still couldn’t find a place to sleep. We asked at three pavilions but all the rooms were full. (At Kyaikhtiyo, most of the visitors stayed at backrooms of restaurants, shops and pavilions). Finally, we ended up sleeping on Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda’s main platform. 8:30 PM It was time for prayer. We sat on the staircase around the pagoda and said our prayer. I was already half asleep when I heard a voice saying “They will have to sleep here”, and was woken up suddenly. All my friends were also sleeping while in their prayer. I had to wake them up and looked for a place warm enough to sleep on the main platform. Next we hired mats at 400 kyat each, and prepared to sleep. At [...]

Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Travel Story – 3 is an article from Myanmar Today, a site about Myanmar news, culture, custom, information and travel advice.

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Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Travel Story – 2

Bamarlay — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:56:52 +0000

27 October 2007 9:00 AM We arrived at the main entrance of Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda. There were a lot of people here, many waiting for their friends and their luggage. Nearby was “Lady’s Changing Room”. This was the place where women wearing short pants, long pants, and skirts, tight or revealing dresses were asked to change their clothes to Myanmar longyi (sarong) and proper clothing. The reason was “against Burmese custom”. The first pagoda (stupa) on the way to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda was Lwan Zedi (Feeling Blue Pagoda). Next one was Kyauk-sampan Zedi (Rocky Boat Pagoda). Nearby was the Shwe Nan Kyin Spirit Shrine where there was a depiction of the history of Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda. We continued along the main road and finally arrived at the main terrace of Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda. The terrace was very large. However, when there were so many visitors to the pagoda, many people could not get a room and had to sleep on this terrace, and sometimes even this large place was not enough for all the visitors. Children love the terrace of Kyaikhtiyo very much and we saw a lot of children running and playing all over the place in the evening. The first thing we [...]

Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Travel Story – 2 is an article from Myanmar Today, a site about Myanmar news, culture, custom, information and travel advice.

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Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Travel Story – 1

Bamarlay — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:47:06 +0000

26 October 2007, 10:15 PM When we bought the ticket, they said the bus will leave at 9:30 PM. However, when they actually left, it was already 10:15 PM. The whole trip was uneventful – just watching video and listening to music. 27 October 2007 4:00 AM We arrived at the base camp of Kyaikhtiyo, the Kinmon Base Camp. Our bus stopped at one restaurant so I took a nap on a wooden bench in front of the restaurant. 6:00 AM I was woken from my sleep by the sounds of people and cars. Other people were ready for their trip to Kyaikhtiyo. For us, we were still in our bed. We wash our face, had breakfast and went to the bus station in the Kinmon base camp. 7:00 AM Let me describe you the kind of bus we used to climb up the mountain. The buses were actually light trucks with open cargo space, which was used for passengers. There were rows made of wood in the back cargo space. Each row had space for six passengers, which was actually very cramped for the passengers. There were no backs in the seats. Whether the passengers are thin or fat, [...]

Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Travel Story – 1 is an article from Myanmar Today, a site about Myanmar news, culture, custom, information and travel advice.

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Today in Myanmar » Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda Guide

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