Novices, Nuns and the People of Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan, Myanmar

Posted in Architecture,Myanmar,Religious Practice,Travel
Four Burmese Novices with their begging bowls, south entrance causeway, Shwezigon Pagoda

Four Novices
In the beautifully lit, covered south-entrance causeway leading to Shwezigon Pagoda, four young novices walk with their begging bowls.

Bagan, in Central Myanmar, is known for its temples.

Not all its temples, however, are ruined relics of the Pagan Empire (9th to 13th Century). Others – like the beautiful Shwezigon Pagoda – are still living, breathing places.

Shwezigon was Pagan’s first Buddhist temple. It was started by King Anawrahta after he took the throne by force in 1044, unified the country, and introduced Theravada Buddhism to the people. Most accounts agree he died in 1077 or 1078: before the elaborate pagoda was completed. One story says he was killed by a wild buffalo; others mention only the phase of the moon at the time of his death. The Shwezigon complex, somewhat modified from Anawrahta’s original plans, was completed in 1102, under his son, King Kyanzittha.

The symmetrical pagoda is 160 feet high and 160 feet square at the base. It sits in a square compound, where it is surrounded by smaller temples and shrines – and flanked by typical burmese markets, crowded full of people.

Burmese women with woven baskets in the market, Shwezigon Pagoda

Women in the Market

Portrait: Burmese Child in thanaka powder, Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan

Burmese Child

Older Burmese woman smoking a fat cheroot, Shwezigon Pagoda

Smoking Woman

Portrait: Burmese Child and mother in thanaka powder, Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan

Mother and Child
Everyone in the market is wearing their protective thanaka powder.

Portrait: Burmese Child in thanaka powder, Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan

Burmese Child
Children learn the “V” sign early.

Portrait: Burmese woman in thanaka powder, Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan

Saleswoman in Pink

Portrait: Burmese Mother and Child in thanaka powder, Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan

Mother and Baby

Portrait: Burmese baby on a sale

Baby in the Market

Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Shwezigon Pagoda
The prototypical circular Burmese stupa: the gold-leaf gilded Shwezigon Pagoda sits in at the centre of a square compound.

Golden Lion Stylised lions guard the pagoda.

Golden Lion
Stylised lions guard the pagoda.

Plaque in burmese script, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Plaque in Marble and Gold
Richly decorated Burmese prayers punctuate the courtyard.

Brass Flower Trees and Incense Burners, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Brass Flower Trees, Stone Almes Bowls, and Incense Burners

Nun Praying,, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Nun Praying
In pavilions around the pagoda, there are plenty of peaceful places to sit.

Nun Praying, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Nun with a Book of Prayer

Book of Burmese Prayer, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Book of Burmese Prayer

Burmese woman with a basket on her head, Causeway at the South Entrance, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Barefoot
Pilgrims and visitors carry their shoes through the covered causeway leading to the pagoda.

Three Novices, Causeway at the South Entrance, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Three Novices

Portrait of a burmese novice, , Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Novice

Two Burmese Novices, Running , Causeway at the South Entrance, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Running Novices
Our photo-group leader Karl Grobl and local guide Mr MM have persuaded the Abbot to let us “borrow” a few novices –

A Burmese Novice, Jumping , Causeway at the South Entrance, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Jumping Novice
– and we encourage them to engage in some un-novice-like behaviour.

A Burmese Novice, Running , Causeway at the South Entrance, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Running Novice
The novices clearly enjoy the task that has been set for them –

A Burmese Novice, running , Causeway at the South Entrance, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Running Novice
– flying down the sedate, grand, covered causeway at Shwezigon’s South Entrance –

A Burmese Novice, running , Causeway at the South Entrance, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Myanmar

Running Novice
– with great enthusiasm.

Text: Keep smiling

With roots in Bagan’s rich history, Shwezigon is a beautiful temple to visit.

My visit was only made better by the novices, the  nuns, and the other people who comprise the life within the compound perimeters.

Keep Smiling!

Pictures: 18September2012

Posted in Architecture,Myanmar,Religious Practice,TravelTags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,

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  • gabe - May 22, 2014 - 10:51 pm

    Beautiful pictures & good storyReplyCancel

  • Katy - May 22, 2014 - 11:21 pm

    Nice set of photos. Really brought back memories.ReplyCancel

    • Ursula - May 22, 2014 - 11:22 pm

      Thanks, Katy. It was nice going back to the pictures – I still have so many more! Not to mention all my flowers from California. 😉ReplyCancel

  • Sue - May 23, 2014 - 10:57 pm

    Amazing pics as always 🙂ReplyCancel

    • Ursula - May 24, 2014 - 12:52 am

      Thanks for the “visit”, Sue – and for the lovely comments. 😀ReplyCancel

  • Dietmut - May 26, 2014 - 6:57 pm

    nice report and photos Ursula. I love the smoking woman, I smoked cigars too many year ago.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/reisgekki/2912031546/in/set-72157607848475477

    greetings, DietmutReplyCancel

    • Ursula - May 27, 2014 - 12:41 am

      😀 I bought some little cigars in Myanmar and was sorely tempted, Dietmut – – but I knew I would love them too much and my doctor would notice. 😉ReplyCancel

  • Dietmut - November 19, 2014 - 6:42 pm

    It is of course better, if we are strong and not smoking Ursula.
    Warm greetings, DietmutReplyCancel

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