THADINGYUT LIGHTING FESTIVAL
A BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Myanmar is rich in traditions and culture, and has developed its own distinctive culture. Buddhism has great influence on the daily lives of Myanmar people. The Full Moon Day of Thadingyut is the Lighting Festival of Myanmar. This nationwide festival is held at the end of the Buddhist lent on the festival day it as a custom. This is the second most popular festival after Thingyan (New Year Water Festival). It celebrates the descent of Buddha from heaven after he preached the Abidhama (the most difficult of Buddhist teaching) to his mother reborn in heaven.
WHY DO PEOPLE LIGHT UP?
When Lord Buddha descended from heaven after preaching his reborn mother, people all over the country light candles to welcome back. As years passed by, it became a tradition and a festival. The festival in a small town and villages are more enjoyable than in cities. In small towns, there are small earthen saucers filled with sesame oil where pieces of cotton thread are used as wicks. People collect donations for charity, decoration and entertainment purposes. Roads and streets are full with amateur dancing groups, music troupes, stalls and spectators for free entertainment. On the festival day, groups of young people and children can be seen walking with candles and gifts in their hands to pay respect to elders. In Burmese we call Kan Dawt, actually it is more than paying respects or doing obeisance. For the Buddhist, the Buddha, His law, His Order of the Sangha, Parents and Teachers are the first to be reserved, next come those who are older and those to whom we owe gratitude.
PAYING HOMAGE TO ELDERS
Younger people pay homage to elders during this season. They ask for forgiveness if they have committed any and in return, the elders give them back love, forgiveness and wish them best for up coming days.
DONATIONS and ALMS OFFERING ON FULL MOON DAY
On the full moon day, residents in Yangon go to Shwedagon pagoda and other famous pagodas to pay homage, to offer alms, candle lights, joss sticks, flowers and fruits. Hundreds of thousands of religious Buddhists assembles on Shwedagon pagoda for prayer saying and for doing other kinds of good deeds. Some Buddhists unions and groups invites monks to offer robes and other monkshood accessories on this auspicious full moon day.
SHOOTING
This post is an output of two shootings. The same place but then different day and different theme.
(PART I): The first part of the post represent the lighting activities on Shwedagon pagoda. The biggest candle lighting festival called 9,000 Lights (See Mie Koe Htaung Pwe) is held on Shwdagon pagoda from 6:30 – 9:00 PM. So, it was the day before full moon day. I was there on Shwedagon pagoda for this special event.
The arch way set up at Shwedagon Western Approach says “MYANMAR TRADITIONAL THADINGYUT LIGHTING FESTIVAL”
The decorations simply reflect the core value of THADINGYUT…
New era comes and electric lanterns replaces the traditional ones… But the our people still value those from old days…
Total of 9,000 small earthen saucers filled with sesame oil where pieces of cotton threads are used as wicks… once a year homage to Lord Buddha…
The glorious array of light dedicated to welcome descent of Lord Buddha from heaven…
(PART II) This is full moon day of auspicious Thadingyut, one of the most important days for Buddhists. 3 Oct 2009, I went to pagoda 4:30 in the morning with two photographer friends. To capture the alms offering and religious activities.
The pilgrims on the Shwedagon Pagoda at 5:00 in the morning…
A Burmese lady offering Ah Yone Hsoon (Early morning alms) to the Lord Buddha…
Some religious Buddhists offer flowers on this special day…
These religious young guys form volunteer teams (in Burmese, Neik Ban Hsaw), collect donations and alms within their residential area, finally come to Shwedagon pagoda at 5:00AM…
A group of pilgrims on their way to Pagoda homage area…
great shots! I love 3rd one…Thanks for sharing memorial THADINGYUT.