Page 10 - Myanmar Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

RELIGION Buddhism is Myanmar's state religion and about 85% of the population is Buddhist. You will notice that just about every hilltop in the country has a pagoda on it. Buddhism came to Myanmar in several stages. The first Buddhists to arrive were Indian merchants and missionaries who traveled to Myanmar and taught the scriptures. The Moghul emperor Asoka is said to have visited the Shwedagon PAGE 3 Pagoda in or around 260 BC. But Theravada Buddhism was only Population | Time | Visas fully established in Burma after King Anawrahta came to the throne Insurance | History at Pagan in 1044 and was converted by a famous Mon monk called Shin Arahan. PAGE 4-5 History | Language The Myanmar brand of Buddhism is unique as it incorporates nat, or PAGE 6 spirit worship, similar to the way the early Anglican Church adopted Climate pagan vitality symbols such as holly, ivy and mistletoe. King PAGE 7 Anawrahta tolerated spirit-worship in pagoda precincts in an attempt The Land to fuse Buddhism and pre-Buddhist animism. He also decreed that Thagyamin, the king of gods and guardian-spirit of Buddhism, was to PAGE 8 be added to the original 36 nats as their leader. After Thagyamin, the People | Safety & Crime celestial lady, Thurhati, guardian of the Budhist scriptures is the most PAGE 9 popular nat. She is believed to be a Burmanization of Surasati, the Currency | Credit Cards Hindu goddess. Changing Money | Tipping PAGE 10 ETIQUETTE Religion | Etiquette As a general rule, Southeast Asians admire a calm and considered PAGE 11 approach to all aspects of life. Open anger or shows of temper should Communications be avoided. Causing another person to 'lose face' is not Health & Vaccinations recommended and status, particularly in terms of age, should PAGE 12 accorded due respect. Food| Shopping | Customs Throughout Myanmar, wherever you enter religious grounds, you PAGE 13-14 must remove your shoes (or sandals) and socks. Many shrines will Culture & The Arts | Religion have a sign posted to remind you with "Footwear Prohibited" signs. You will have to plod with naked soles over marble plates scorched by the mid-day sun, up long flights of stairs (the whole of Mandalay Hill, for examples, is sacred ground), or perhaps even over thorn- studded fields if they lie within the enclosure that marks a temple ground. You can also show your respect for Myanmar religion by wearing proper clothing at a temple, especially, no short skirts for women, and no short pants. PHOTOGRAPHS It is polite to ask permission before taking photographs, Some people may take offense.