WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MYANMAR AT SHWE DAGON PAGODA APRIL 2024

Visiting Shwe Dagon Pagoda and enjoying the atmosphere of Oo Boat Day, and received the blessing from a monk.
I am proud to present and share with you my time in Myanmar as you will see my visit to SHWE DAGON PAGODA with my friends ( U Hla and U Tin). We felt as one and like children going back in time at the most sacred site in Myanmar.
The Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as Shwedagon Zedi Daw (Burmese: ရွှေတိဂုံစေတီတော်), is a Buddhist stupa and pagoda located in Yangon, Myanmar. It is considered the most sacred Buddhist site in the country. Let me share some fascinating details about this iconic pagoda:
History and Legends:
Legend holds that the Shwedagon Pagoda was constructed more than 2,500 years ago-while the Buddha was still alive-making it one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world.
According to the Buddhavaṃsa, two merchants from Ukkalājanapada named Tapussa and Bhallika encountered the Buddha in Bodh Gaya. The Buddha accepted their offering of rice cake and honey and taught them some of the dharma. They became the first lay disciples to take refuge in the teachings of the Buddha.
The Buddha also gave eight strands of his hair to the merchants and instructed them on how to construct a stupa to enshrine these hair relics.
The merchants presented the eight strands of hair to King Okkalapa of Dagon, who enshrined them along with relics of the three preceding Buddhas (Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, and Kassapa) in a stupa on the Singuttara Hill in present-day Myanmar.
Sacred Relics:
The Shwedagon Pagoda is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the present kalpa. These relics include:
The staff of Kakusandha
The water filter of Koṇāgamana
A piece of the robe of Kassapa
Eight strands of hair from the head of Gautama Buddha
Architectural Significance:
Built on the 51-meter (167 ft) high Singuttara Hill, the pagoda stands 112 meters (367 ft) tall and dominates the Yangon skyline.
Yangon’s zoning regulations cap the maximum height of buildings to 127 meters (417 feet) above sea level (75% of the pagoda’s sea level height), ensuring the Shwedagon’s prominence in the city’s skyline.
Visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda:
The Shwedagon Pagoda is a major tourist attraction, guarded by Cinthe statues, the Burmese mythological lions.
Visitors can explore its gilded stupas, elaborate shrines, and beautifully landscaped grounds.
The pagoda’s golden exterior glows brilliantly during sunrise and sunset, creating a mesmerizing sight.
The culture of Myanmar is a fascinating blend of influences from Buddhism, the Bamar people (who are the largest ethnic group in Myanmar), and neighboring countries such as India, China, and Thailand. These influences can be seen in various aspects of Myanmar’s culture, including its language, cuisine, music, dance, and theater.
Historically, Burmese art was based on Buddhist or Hindu myths. There are several regional styles of Buddha images, each with certain distinctive characteristics. For example, the Mandalay style, which developed in the late 1800s, consists of an oval-shaped Buddha with realistic features, including naturally curved eyebrows, smaller but still prominent ears, and a draping robe. The country has been called the “Land of Pagodas” as the landscape is dominated by Buddhist pagodas or stupas2.
Myanmar is an ethnic patchwork made up of estimated 135 different ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, customs, cultures, and histories. While the country is today nominally united, these groups each retain their own proud identities and resort to civil war when their way of life is threatened by the majority Buddhist Bama culture.
Aspects of Burmese culture are most apparent at religious sites. Temple architecture is typically of brick and stucco, and pagodas are often covered with layers of gold leaf, while monasteries tend to be built of wood (although monasteries in cities are more likely to be built of modern materials). The people of Myanmar tend to be very religious and observe all major Buddhist festivals.
In summary, Myanmar’s rich cultural heritage is a captivating tapestry woven from diverse influences, reflecting its unique history and the interplay of various traditions and customs

[@BoMyint-bp5nx]

good trip

[@bridgitshearth]

Thank you for your leisurely trek around the Shwedagon. This brings back so many, many memories. What a very special place--and add to that the people.

[@HMS-TRAVEL-ADVENTURES-999]

Thank you for your support. It was a special day for me as well. Fond memories were made at this place during my parent time. Again, thank you.

[@cathylam344]

Nicely made! Especially with the music background !

[@HMS-TRAVEL-ADVENTURES-999]

Thank you very much!

[@TimK2646]

Welcome to Yangon, Porky, Buckwheat and Spanky.