Yangon: A Monk's Guided Tour of Shwedagon Paya

A family lighting on a planetary post in Shwedagon Paya “You can take a picture on this spot. You’ll get a better view of the stupa here” a ...

A family lighting on a planetary post in Shwedagon Paya

“You can take a picture on this spot. You’ll get a better view of the stupa here” a voice told me in somewhat a better Burmese-English while I was taking a photograph inside one of the pavilions in Shwedagon Paya. I looked back to see a young monk with glasses. He introduced himself as Xanther. He volunteered to take my photo. Thinking about it, I don’t have a personal photo here yet so I obliged. He seemed like a friendly guy and offered to take me around the paya if I wanted. I wasn’t sure at first but he might be one of those young monks trying to practice their English so I let myself be entertained.

The people at Shwedagon Paya

I really planned to do a guided tour of Shwedagon Pagoda when I return on my last day in Myanmar, but I did not expect to have little kyat left as a guide would cost about 5000 kyat. On my first visit, I was just looking around appreciating the aesthetics but never really understood the significance of each pieces there. Now would be a great time to do a tour. I figured if Xanther would ask for a donation it would be less than that.

Xanther on the way to the Banyan Tree from India

The amount of detail in Shwedagon Paya can be really overwhelming and it’s a good idea to look at them in parts. Here are some things that I remember Xanther told me.

The original stupa umbrella

+ At this year (late 2011 when I visited) they are commemorating the 2600 years of the Pagoda. Items and memorabilia are sold there.

+ The Shwedagon is literally a treasure trove, the main stupa has layers of Gold Leaf accumulated through the years.

+ At the center of the stupa, there is a 3-feet Buddha made of pure gold. No one can get inside or see it aside from the LCD screens outside.

Another sacred banyan tree believed to grown from the original tree Buddha found enlightenment

+ There’s a 200-year-old Banyan Tree there from India where people lined up to make a human chain to distribute water to the tree from a far away lake to make sure it grows in a hot and humid day.

+ There are other elements of the paya that were donated by other countries and entities amalgamated that its easy to miss. Like this one bell donated from Korea or a pure jade Buddha encased in glass, crowned with real diamonds and rubies donated by a Mining Company

The Dhammazedi inscription dating back to 1485 tells the story of the Shwedagon in 3 languages, Pali, Mon and Burmese

+ The best time to look into the binocular stations would be around 6-6:30pm where the jewel-studded umbrella at the top of the main stupa would be beamed with light and would gloriously sparkle in different colors

+ Of course he also explained the concept of the bathing Buddha as it brings cleansing and good fortune to those would practice the ritual. (I also partook of the very short ritual)

Even with in the busy pagoda, there are still quiet corners ideal for meditation

In the duration of the tour, I also learned a lot from this young monk. He’s 28-years old and has been a monk for 6-7 years. He has been studying English on a school outside their monastery for 2 years which explains why he is good in English with only a few minor lapses in grammar. He came from a province west of Myanmar near the border of Bangladesh. He claims his blood is half Bangladesh and half Myanmar. He calls those people like himself Rakhine, one of the Ethnic groups of Myanmar.

A Mahabodhi style temple modeled after Bodhgaya India

As our last stop, Xanther showed me his favorite meditation spot. A quiet corner behind multiple giant Buddhas. That is when he asked for his donation of 4000 kyat. I found it ridiculous and sad at the same time that he had to put a price on a “donation”. Unfortunately for him, I’m down to my last few kyat and could only give him half.

The Shwedagon Stupa is made up of thick layers of Gold Leaf

I stayed for a while until dark not only to capture the dying light but also think of what had transpired. More than a week in a Myanmar and I still somehow got duped by an act of pseudo-kindness. But I’m not leaving Myanmar with that impression but of understanding. Myanmar with its exotic beauty is also home to people who have lived a life of long-term repression. A lot yearn for connection from the outside world, but they also try to live the best way they can.

Bathing Buddha for good fortune and well-being

The golden Shwedagon Paya at night leaving a lasting impression