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| Shwedagon Pagoda |
For the Burmese Buddhists, to go to the pagoda
is, to do good deeds, and pay respects to the Buddha. At least they walk around
keep the pagoda on the right, in complete circle, and stop at their birthday
corner, and watering the stupa, and wishing whatever they want to.
There were 4 entrances; East, South, West, and North to
reach at the top of the hill where Shwedagon Pagoda stands. People ascended the
stairs from the entrance as they wished. At the top of the hill, they were buying
flowers and candles at the stall, and offering at the foot of the pagoda, and
walking as keeping the pagoda always on the right side.
(People always
keep the pagoda on their right side. It was a symbol of respecting the Buddha
told from one of Buddha’s stories.)
Often the Buddhist stopped at the corner belonged to the day
of their birth; Monday or Tuesday, or Wednesday, etc with its ruling sign and
its mythical symbol. People paid respect, and watering or offering flowers,
candles at the corner. There were cups, and water already there to pour both
Buddha image, and the mythical symbol. There, counting the number of cups we
poured that represented our recent age. For example, if you are 17, pouring 18
cups of water. But it was not always necessary. 3 cups of water (3 cups of water represent the Three Gems of
Buddha, Dhamma (Buddha’s Teaching) and Sangha (venerable monks)), or 5 cups
of water (5 cups of water represent the Three Gems of veneration, our parents,
and our teachers.) would be good enough.
(The Buddhist stopped at the corner belonged to the day of their birth; and pouring water at the Buddha statue, ruling sign and its mythical symbol)
We can also do this deed on behalf of our friends, and our
relatives. I did this good deed on behalf of my grandma. At that time, her age
turned to 70, so I poured 71 cups of water at my grandma’s birthday corner; the
Saturday.
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