Trip - Visit to Shwedagon Pagoda

Hi blog,

I was celebrating my Christmas Day in Myanmar. We have a friend, Simon Hong who stays in Myanmar for many years, paid us a visit and give us a gift :) so nice of him.

After breakfast, we decided to travel around Myanmar, Thanks God for arranging a senior, Meiling to bring us around to see the heart of Myanmar - the Shwedagon Pagoda 大金塔

The sun is too strong in Myanmar, everyone on the street will give a angry expression. Haha I try to open my eyes wide as normal but sometimes I can't help myself.

Ah! My phone dropped!

After a while, we arrived at Shwedagon pagoda.

The pagoda structure is heavily influenced and similar to Thailand, Cambodia and China temple. That fiery firey top exterior design displays the strong passion and faith toward their culture. 

I was surprised to see there are many Burmese and foreigners visited this pagoda. Usually if there is a holiday or special day, the Burmese will try to drop by these temple with friends and pray their respect. 

We have walked around the pagoda barefooted and as a foreigner, we have to pay 8000ks entry fee and then we were given a sticker to paste onto our shirt like we just made a donation.

Thanks God, the floor is made of marble (cooling even though the sun is bursting fully) and clean.

You will see many many Buddha statues varied in sizes and its position. Along the way around (it is advised to start from our left hand instead of right hand) the pagoda, Meiling helped to explain whatever she learned since young and questions we have in mind.

This Shwedagon pagoda has a long history on how it started, you can read more from this link. Generally, it is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the present kalpa. There is one of relics I heard from Meiling, she claimed that there is a under-passage and was sealed from the public due to thieves, the relic is the hairs (just 8 strands) and many kings and rich people donated their golds and jewelries along the way. They did so to express Buddha himself is weighted more than gold (a treasure to mankind), even his 8 strands of hairs can weight more than all the golds in this world. Personally I will say it is Buddha's wisdom which helps the world and allows mankind to discover the truth of themselves outweigh every world treasures combined. Anyway the respect and majestic structures of pagoda are magnificent especially the idea of covered it with gold plates.

Meiling explained that usually the Burmese would spend their time together with families or friends during their day off, and pray for certain assurances and hopes from Buddha. 

This pagoda will look nicer at night as compared the day when our eyes are almost closed by 65%. The reflection of the golden pagoda is OMG! It looks like it is glowing in the dark, and no matter where you stand in Myanmar, you will see that pagoda. Check out the pictures online here.

By the way, it was too sunny and it was advisable to attend the toilet before you walk around the pagoda.

Send my wishes by hitting three times on this giant bell

Jeff