Talk:Buddhism in Burma

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• Phenomenon of reincarnation and infinity are defined and expressed explicitly in Myanmar literature throughout the ages as understood by authors. Abbot Moe-Nyin had artistically expressed these in Thum-Buddhay Stupa, in the form of statues and statuettes. Total number of 512,028 various sized Buddha images are enshrined in this stupa.
• Historical Buddha still known as Gautama Buddha has accumulated ten principal virtues in three fold efforts to attain Buddhahood. Reincarnated from one life form to another, striving to attain such state without verbal expression is, unimaginable; yet imagine, that during this time span 387,000 Buddhas has attained their goals. After that, continuance of striving forward see to it that another 125,000 Buddhas achieved while this Bodhisattva is verbally expressing the Destiny. Adding these two numbers comes to 512,000. Then explicit prophecies of attaining ultimate achievement were taken from 27 successive Buddhas.
• The ten principal virtues are generosity, self-restraint, solitude, learning, effort, true expression, forbearance, cherishing, detachment and resolution. Role playing in literally all walks of life, these virtues were accumulated.

[edit] Grammar and Practice of Civilians entering Monastary for a few weeks at a time

This sentence in the second paragraph of the history section is confusing:

Succeeding kings of Bagan continued to build such a large number of monuments, temples, and pagodas in order to honour Buddhist beliefs and tenets that Bagan soon became a major archaeological site. Burmese rule at Bagan continued until the invasion of the Mongols in 1287.

This makes it sounds like it became a major archaelogical site in the 1200's. Is this the case? Or did it become a site for major religious pilgrimages because of the monuments?

Secondly, I've read recently that ordinary people sometimes join monastaries for a few weeks at a time as a sort of spiritual retreat:

In the practice of Buddhism in Burma, people frequently leave the routine of their lives for a few weeks to become monks. With saffron robes, shaved heads and begging bowls they examine their lives, perhaps in the hope of gaining merit, more spiritually centered living, or to move along in their own personal cycle of karma. Some of the monks walking in the demonstrations now are almost certainly people who have only recently joined the monastery for a brief break.

from Burmha on the March

Can anyone else verify this? Is that a standard practice? If so, it would seem to warrant a mention in this article. mennonot 20:14, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

Took a crack at fixing the grammar a bit- not all of that info needed to be there. Regarding temporary ordination, it's a common custom in Theravada Southeast Asia. Don't know specifics relating to Burma- in most places, ordination during Vassa is most common, in which case there would be some temporary monks finishing up their 3-month retreat around now. There have also been warnings issued regarding "white head monks"- new monks whose skulls haven't tanned yet- being police/military agents provocateur sent to disrupt the protests. --Clay Collier 21:49, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

Clay, thanks for the quick response. It seems like this information about temporary ordination would be great to add to the article given its relevance to current events in Burma. Any idea on sources? mennonot 17:22, 28 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:IMG 2347.JPG

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BetacommandBot 09:56, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Titles/Forms of Address

Question: why are forms of address not used consistently? (i.e. U and Daw?) Retailmonica (talk) 02:53, 19 May 2008 (UTC)