Shwedagon Paya

The Shwedagon Paya is a 98 meter gilded stupa located in Yangon, Myanmar. The Paya is west of the Royal Lake on Singuttara Hill. The Shwedagon Paya is the most sacred Buddhist site for the Burmese with several Buddha relics. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 373 KB)Shwedagon Pagoda File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 373 KB)Shwedagon Pagoda File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... Yangôn, formerly Rangoon, population 4,504,000 (2001), is the capital of Myanmar. ... Statues of Buddha such as this, the Tian Tan Buddha statue in Hong Kong, remind followers to practice right living. ... A stone image of the Buddha. ...

History

Shwedagon Paya with people to see the scale

Legend has it that the Shwedagon Paya is 2500 years old. Archeologists believe the stupa was actually built sometime between the 6th and 10th centuries by the Mon. The story of Shwedagon Paya begins with two merchant brothers meeting the Lord Gawdama Buddha and recieving eight of the Buddha's hairs to be enshirned in Burma. The two brothers made their way to Burma and with the help of the local king found Singuttara Hill where other Buddha relics had been enshrined. When the hairs were taken from their golden casket to be enshrined some incredible things happened: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1386 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1386 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Archaeology or sometimes in American English archeology (from the Greek words αρχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... The Mon are an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. ... A stone image of the Buddha. ...

There was a tumult among men and spirits ... rays emmitted by the Hairs penetrated up to the heavans above and down to hell ... the blind beheld objects ... the deaf heard sounds ... the dumb spoke distinctly ... the earth quaked ... the winds of the ocean blew ... Mount Meru shook ... lightning flashed ... gems rained down until they were knee deep ... all trees of the Himalayas, though not in season, bore blossoms and fruit. Mount Meru is a sacred mountain in Hindu mythology which is believed to be the abode of Brahma and other gods. ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ...

The stupa fell into disrepair until the 14th century when King Binnya U of Bago had the stupa rebuilt to a height of 18 meters. The stupa was rebuilt several times and reached it's current height of 98 meters in the 15th century. A series of earthquakes during the next centuries caused damage. The worst damage came from a 1768 earthquake that brought down the top of the stupa. A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... (13th century - 14th century - 15th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 14th century was that century which lasted from 1301 to 1400. ... Bago is a division of Burma. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Global earthquake epicenters, 1963–1998. ... Global earthquake epicenters, 1963–1998 An earthquake is a trembling or a shaking movement of the Earths surface. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ...

Design

Southern Entrance to the Shwedagon Paya

There are four entrances to the Paya that lead you up to the platform on Singuttara Hill. The eastern and southern entrances have vendors selling good luck charms, Buddha images, incense sticks and flowers. Two chenthe (half-lion, half-dragon guardian figures) protect the southern entrance. The base of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates. Above the base are terraces that only monks can access. Next is the bell-shaped part of the stupa. Above that is the lotus and then the crown. The crown or umbrella is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. The very top is tipped with a 76-carat diamond. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1381 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1381 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A stone image of the Buddha. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... A Roman Catholic monk A monk is a person who practices monasticism, adopting a strict religious and ascetic lifestyle, usually in community with others following the same path. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... Diamonds () is one of the four suits found in playing cards. ... Ruby is a red gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum in which the color is caused mainly by chromium. ...

Rituals

Planetary Post for Mercury

Visitors must remove their shoes before the first step at any of the entrances. The southern and eastern entrances have traditional shops with a wide gradual staircases. Burmese walk around the stupa clockwise. Depending on what day of the week you are born will determine your planetary post. The stupa is surrounded by small shrines for each day of the week. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1390 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1390 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... A stupa in Tibet A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ...

References

Martin, Steve (2002). Lonely Planet Myanmar(Burma). Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN 1740591909.

Elliot, Mark (2003). South-East Asia: The Graphic Guide. Trailblazer Publications. ISBN 1873756674.

External Links

• Myanmar Shwedagon website
• Visitor information on Shwedagon
• Photos of Shwedagon Paya on www.geopium.org

See also

History of Buddhism The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddharta Gautama. ...