Google maps: Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon
There is not many things like it anywhere in the world. W.S. Maugham in its "The Gentelman in the Parlour" described it like a giant ship surrounded by lighters, severe and splendid. For me it was more like a mountain, aloof but somehow cosy and familiar, the one you respect but visit often and get to know well. Sunrise over the pagoda makes it even more special. Early worshipers pray silently, monks meditate to the sound of the smaller and bigger bells. All combines together into one golden coloured landscape where men cherish what seems more of the God's creation.
But apart from its beauty and magnificence (112m high) it is above all the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with the relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within, including eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. The legend says it is 2.600 years old and was built by two merchant brothers who actually met Lord Buddha still in his lifetime. It is hard to verify that but undoubtedly Shwedagon Pagoda has been the centre of Burmese Buddhism and culture for centuries and will hopefully dominate Yangon's skyline for many more years to come.
There is not many things like it anywhere in the world. W.S. Maugham in its "The Gentelman in the Parlour" described it like a giant ship surrounded by lighters, severe and splendid. For me it was more like a mountain, aloof but somehow cosy and familiar, the one you respect but visit often and get to know well. Sunrise over the pagoda makes it even more special. Early worshipers pray silently, monks meditate to the sound of the smaller and bigger bells. All combines together into one golden coloured landscape where men cherish what seems more of the God's creation.
But apart from its beauty and magnificence (112m high) it is above all the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with the relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within, including eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. The legend says it is 2.600 years old and was built by two merchant brothers who actually met Lord Buddha still in his lifetime. It is hard to verify that but undoubtedly Shwedagon Pagoda has been the centre of Burmese Buddhism and culture for centuries and will hopefully dominate Yangon's skyline for many more years to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment