Monks in Myanmar

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Monks, collectively known as the Sangha, are venerated members of Burmese society. Among many ethnic groups in Myanmar, including the Bamar and Shan, Theravada Buddhism is practiced in conjunction with nat worship, which involves the placation of spirits who can intercede in worldly affairs.

“You must become a monk, before you can become a man.” This is a very famous saying in Myanmar which reflects the significance of the novitiation ceremony in the lives of the Burmese people.

The boy is trained to become a novice for a certain period of time with an ultimate goal to obtain Enlightenment which is known as Nirvana in the Buddhist religion.

The monks since the Buddha’s time consider that to go round for alms food is a loving kindness or great compassion to the poor people who can gain the meritorious deeds

Buddhists in Myanmar believed that if their sons have been initiated into novice-hood at least in this life the parents will not suffer in hell in next existence and they regard the son who is in novice-hood like men who are in more noble life and pay respect while they are in novice-hood.

According to the beliefs, by entering the order of The Sangha in this life, a novice is become able to increase his Karma (Merit) in gaining Nirvana in his upcoming life. Normally the period consists of at least seven days during which the novice learns the basic principles that are essential in becoming a good

It is the most important duty of all Burmese parents to make sure their sons are admitted to the Buddhist Sangha by performing a shinbyu ceremony once they have reached the age of seven or older

It is a lovely tradition of Myanmar people to offer the food to the monks unless they have nothing to eat for themselves.

For every Myanmar Buddhist, the Three gems, or the three objects for special veneration and respect, are the Buddha, the awaken one, the Dhama, Buddha’s Law or teaching and the Sanga, Priesthood or monk.

Hpone-kyi or Monks are dedicated to the service of the Buddha, and they role the most important part of the propagation of Buddhism.

After the pass of the Gaw-ta-ma Buddha, since the time of no palm-leaf inscriptions and papers were invented, the successive monks have achieved the propagation of Buddhism through recitations or narrations

Not only do hpongyis occupy a

dominant and special position in

the Buddhist scheme of things, but to them is also

entrusted the entire education of a certain percent

of the male population. The

influence of hpongyis,

therefore on the lives of the

Myanmar people is indeed

considerable.

The saffron revolution

In Myanmar, female are also getting same level status like the male

Not only men can be the hpongyis (monks), but also women can be Hsi-la-shin (nuns). Of course, there are some difference rules and regulations, or disciplines and discourses for the nuns who are having less disciplines than the monk. They also have the shelter, the nunnery like the Hpongyi Kyaung (monastery) provided by the wealthy donors or the common charity of the public

What is more difference is that the monks go round for alms food every day, but the nuns only go round for alms food on the two pre-Sabbath days. Whatever the different disciplines and discourses, the nuns also dedicated to the service of the Buddha, and the Government held the annual examination for all monks and nuns, and the out standings are always awarded with suitable titles.

Burmese nuns hold effective roles as ritual specialists and educators in the Burmese religious community. As ritual specialists, the nuns officiate at religious ceremonies. They have detailed knowledge of ceremonial procedures to complement the monks’ roles in Buddhist ceremonies.Nuns are not regarded as full female equivalents of the monks; they are not Bhikkunis. They are given the names ‘Thilashin’, or “owner of good moral conduct,” and ‘Sila-rhan’ meaning “owners of virtue.” These nuns have taken a vow to keep eight or ten precepts, shaved their heads and donned their distinctive pink and earthen-red robes on entering the nunnery. They devote themselves to religious functions around the clock with the intention of lessening the responsibilities of the mundane world.Like the novice monks, nuns may begin their practice early and live in the monasteries sharing a similar education of learning Buddhist scripture. The young children have strong bonds and often study in small groups

Burmese nuns hold effective roles as ritual specialists and educators in the Burmese religious community. As ritual specialists, the nuns officiate at religious ceremonies. They have detailed knowledge of ceremonial procedures to complement the monks’ roles in Buddhist ceremonies.Nuns are not regarded as full female equivalents of the monks; they are not Bhikkunis. They are given the names ‘Thilashin’, or “owner of good moral conduct,” and ‘Sila-rhan’ meaning “owners of virtue.” These nuns have taken a vow to keep eight or ten precepts, shaved their heads and donned their distinctive pink and earthen-red robes on entering the nunnery. They devote themselves to religious functions around the clock with the intention of lessening the responsibilities of the mundane world.Like the novice monks, nuns may begin their practice early and live in the monasteries sharing a similar education of learning Buddhist scripture. The young children have strong bonds and often study in small groups

Text: InternetPictures: David Lazar & InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

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