Wolfgang's photos with the keyword: Yangon

In 1841 King Tharrawaddy donated this 42-ton bell called the Maha Tissada Gandha (great three-toned sweet sound) Bell and 20 kg of goldplating to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

The consecration rite, which can last a few hours, is held in the morning and consists of four primary parts: Offerings (candles, flowers, incense, flags) made to the Buddha Chanting of Paritta Paritta (Pali), generally translated as "protection" or "safeguard," refers to the Buddhist practice of reciting certain verses and scriptures in order to ward off evil fortune or dangerous conditions, as well as to the specific verses and discourses recited as paritta texts. Recitation of aneka jāti saṃsāraṃ (translated as 'through the round of many births I roamed') Recitation of the Twelve Nidānas The Twelve Nidānas (Pali/Sanskrit nidāna "cause, foundation, source or origin") are an application of the Buddhist concept of pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination). They identify the origin of dukkha (suffering) to be in avijja (ignorance).

Shwe means gold and this pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4,531 diamonds, the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond. It is clearly one of the wonder of the worlds religious world.

Unlike other religious sites, it has at once a spiritual as well as a secular feel about it. Children run up and down singing songs, monks sit on the steps chatting, young men cast amorous glances at women, women stand around gossiping, all while others are deep in prayer in front of whatever shrine has significance for them. The Shwedagon captures the essence of both the informal nature as well as the strong ties that signify the relationship that the Burmese have with their Buddhism. There is no other pagoda like it in Burma and there is no other place like the Shwedagon Pagoda in the world and visitors to Burma end up spending a lot of their time there.

For over 2,000 years, thanaka cream has been an essential part of the beauty routine of Myanmar men, women, girls and boys. Burmese people will vouch that thanaka helps remove acne, promotes smooth skin and acts as a sun block.

The Pagoda platform where people may make rounds around the Stupa, exists as a religious space without pomp and circumstance and is one of the best places in the world to sit and people watch. Children run up and down, perhaps singing and shouting with abandon. Women cluster in groups gossiping. Couples, young and old stroll up and down. Burgundy robed monks are everywhere. Here and there, at the many shrines that dot the platform and sit around the stupa, people pray, seriously and silently. Bells ring. There is no awe here, only life, religious and secular life.

Buddha sitting in Bhumisparsha-mudra posture (calling the earth to be his witness). Bhumisparsha means 'touching the earth'. It is more commonly known as the 'earth witness' mudra. This mudra, formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground, symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment.

The most striking feature of Burmese women, girls and boys is the ubiquitous yellowish-white "rouge" on their cheeks, sometimes noses and foreheads. This is thanaka paste - the cosmetic of choice for Burmese. Thanaka is cute and many women, boys and girls wear it in both urban and rural areas. It is obvious that we cannot neglect thanaka, despite the popularity of cosmetics.

Following this tradition, every Myanmar Buddhist boy between the ages of 7 and 13 is expected to enter the monastery as a novice for a period of a few days to a few months - or for all his life.

Being a social norm in this most devoted Buddhist country, all Myanmar males are expected to spend some monkshood during their adolescence and adulthood, as an accruement of merit. Those who chose to ordain for life pride themselves as devotees of Buddha, living in a serene and secluded life distant from the secular world, and earning prestige from the local community. On the other hand, hardship and poverty have given some no choice but taking shelters from monasteries and becoming monks.

There are three levels of terraces in Shwedagon Pagoda. The platform most foreign visitors usually visit is the main terrace, or the middle level. This is the most visited level in Shwedagon pagoda. Most religious buildings such as shrines, stupas, Buddha images, pavilions, buildings and bells are built in this level. Visitors and worshipers pay homage to Lord Buddha and offer flower, water, incense and candle light to the pagoda at this level.

Monks, collectively known as the Sangha, are venerated members of Burmese society. Among many ethnic groups in Myanmar Theravada Buddhism is practiced in conjunction with nat worship, which involves the placation of spirits who can intercede in worldly affairs.

Just in front of this great hall is the famous Victory Ground. This is one of the most sacred places in Shwedagon. The place is always packed with people who pray and wish for the success, of any kind. Traditionally, this is the ground where kings, princes, generals and solders of ancient Hansawaddi Mon kingdom come and pray for success before they leave for war. In recent years, this place is associated with student political movements as student activists usually use this ground for launching their anti government activities. Not surprisingly, this place is one of the most closely watched places in Shwedagon.

A group of monk boys relax after meal at the floor near the Shwedagon platform. During our visits at day and at the evening we saw strikingly many young boys as monks around the grand pagoda, most of them doing meditation in a shrine.

Water symbolises purity, clarity and calmness, and reminds us to cleanse our minds and attain the state of purity. Pilgrims pour this holy water over the Buddha statue.

This world-renowned pagoda towers over the city of Yangon, and can be seen for miles around. Widely considered one of the world's wonders, Shwedagon is thought to have been constructed more than 2,500 years ago.

Monks, collectively known as the Sangha, are venerated members of Burmese society. Among many ethnic groups in Myanmar. There are approximately 400,000 monks in Burma.

It's customary for a male in Myanmar to enter a monastery twice in his life. Once as a samanera, a novice monk, between the age of 10 and 20, and again as a hpongyi, a fully ordained monk, sometime at the age of 20. Some might remain a monk for just a few days, while others stay for life.