Burma is a profound Buddhist country. Almost 90% of its population follows the teaching of the Buddha. Theravada, the ancient school of Buddhism followed in Burma (as in Thailand, Sry Lanka and most of South East Asia) differentiates from Mahayana Buddhism most popular in Tibet, India, Bhutan, Japan and China. Theravada Buddhism promotes the concept of 'Teaching of Analysis'. This doctrine stresses that insight must come from the aspirant's experience, critical investigation, and reasoning,...
more »Burma is a profound Buddhist country. Almost 90% of its population follows the teaching of the Buddha. Theravada, the ancient school of Buddhism followed in Burma (as in Thailand, Sry Lanka and most of South East Asia) differentiates from Mahayana Buddhism most popular in Tibet, India, Bhutan, Japan and China. Theravada Buddhism promotes the concept of 'Teaching of Analysis'. This doctrine stresses that insight must come from the aspirant's experience, critical investigation, and reasoning, instead of by blind faith. Buddha, according to Theravada, asks to ‘abstain from all kinds of evil, to accumulate all that is good and to purify our mind’. These is accomplished by the three trainings: the development of ethical conduct, meditation and insight-wisdom.
Monks (Bhikkhu) in Burma are very esteemed people responsible for preserving Buddha's teaching and discipline and guiding Buddhist followers. Their lifestyle is shaped to support their spiritual practice, to live a simple life and attain Nirvana. Monks austerity is focused on the study of Buddhist doctrine, the practice of meditation, and the observance of good moral character. A bhikkhu has taken a vow to enter the monastic community and is expected to obey the rules of monastic conduct (typically 227). Among them celibacy, sexual abstinence, the use of cheap clothes only to protect from weather, to not indulge in sleeping and to eat one meal a day, before noon and provided by direct donations from lay supporters.
The path to become a monk has several steps. A monk first ordains as a Samanera (novice). Samaneras, usually are between the age of 4 and 20, more often is around 7, the age when Buddha ordained his son begotten when he still was a Prince Siddhartha. The minimum age to take bhikkhu vows is 20 years, counted from the conception. Semaneras live according to the 'ten precepts', but are not responsible for living by the full set of monastic rules.
The novitiation ceremony, Shinbyu, has been known for over 2500 years. This is the most important duty that parents owe to their son by letting him go forth and embrace the legacy of the Buddha. A series of celebrations mark the ordination of the child. The central part of the Shinbyu is a procession to the monastery with the boy dressed in silk, shielded from the sun by an umbrella and led on horseback by an orchestral band. It symbolises Siddhartha departures from the Royal palace. The family, the parents, his sisters (or young village maidens) and the rest of the joyous party in their best silks complete the procession. A banquet is prepared and everyone is welcome to the feast. The boy ordained as Semerara last from a minimum of 24 hours, likely from weeks to months up to the rest of his life if he will.
Monks take their vows for a lifetime. A monk can give vows back and return to home living then take the vows again. In Buddhism death is a time of transitioning to a yet another rebirth in the cyclic existence: Samsara.
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