| Dos & Don't Category Listing |
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| Religion
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The Myanmar are a religious people
and hold all persons, places or things associated with religion
in much veneration. This is true of Buddhists as
well as Christians. Since you tour will take you to
many places Buddhist and Christian it is necessary
to be informed of modes of dress and behavior which
might cause displeasure or surprise and so should
be avoided. On the other hand there is much appreciation
when a foreign person is seen to be observing
the proper form.
REMOVE FOOTWEAR BEFORE ENTERING PAGODA PRECINCTS-
Footwear must be removed before entering the pagoda grounds. In some places,
in some countries, footwear may be permitted up to the building in which the
Buddha image is enshrined,
footwear being removed only when the shrine building
is entered. In Myanmar, it is considered essential to remove footwear before
entering the compound in which the pagoda or shrine is sited.
The question of footwear in pagoda precincts was a crunch issue during the
colonial period. There was an uproar in the country when the British rulers
claimed the right to wear shoes in pagoda precincts and an armed rebellion
almost ensued. The shoe question gave impetus to Myanmar's struggle for in
dependence and was the beginning of the end for British colonial rule.
Another question: "After shedding the shoes, should one keep the socks
on?" The short answer: What you wear on the foot is footwear. Right? It is
more comfortable to be barefoot in those places. And you don't want to start a
war, do you?
REMOVE FOOTWEAR BEFORE ENTERING MONASTERY PRECINCTS-
The same rule of removing
footwear applies before entering monastery
precincts. But in some cases there can be a relaxation of the rule. The
presiding monk, with the consent of the resident monks may permit footwear in
the monastery precincts. An example is the Hermitage of Maha-Si in Yangon where
footwear is permitted. The grounds of the Hermitage are extensive and many
foreigners come to meditate or to visit. However there are many more monasteries
where the rule is followed.
How do you know what to do? Observe others. If the locals keep their footwear
on, you may do so. If you meet no one, it is better to remove the footwear until
someone tells you that you may have them on.
Monks and novices remove their footwear when on their morning rounds to accept
merit food.
WEAR DECENT CLOTHES TO THE PAGODA OR MONASTERY-
Don't go dressed to the pagoda or monastery as you would to the beach in
loose blouse, semi see-through or short shorts. The role against short pants,
apply to men too. Pagodas and monasteries are centers of Buddhist veneration.
and Buddhism teaches that the cause of all suffering is desire. In this
instance, though the dress may not be an embarrassment to oneself. it is better
not to be an embarrassment to others. Wear decent clothes when going to the
pagoda or monastery.
BEHAVE IN A PROPER MANNER-
The pagoda or temple is a place of worship and spiritual development, and as
such is worthy of proper behavior. Avoid rowdiness, shouting or laughing and
making fun. At the Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Yangon, music is not permitted on the
Pagoda platform. Music troupes who usually accompany novice-to-be processions to
the Pagoda leave their instruments at the foot of the 326 feet (99.4 meters)
Pagoda Hill. Some monasteries do not permit music on their grounds; some do.
Pagoda festivals have theatres and music halls built on sites set aside for
them.
AVOID BEING A NUISANCE WHEN TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS-
Some pagodas and temples such as the
Shwe Dagon Pagoda at Yangon and the
temples in the archaeological zone at Bagan require the payment of a fee to take
photographs. A few such as the Myinkaba Gupyauk-kyi at Bagan do not permit
photography altogether in order not to affect the murals. So don't take
photographs if not allowed.
Avoid lewd or funny postures with pagodas or Buddha images as background. Don't
lean on Buddha images or otherwise use them as props.
Monks do not like to be photographed. No show of annoyance on his part only
means that he is being forbearing. It is proper to ask permission first.
DON'T SIT WITH BACK AGAINST BUDDHA IMAGE-
 You may have occasion to sit or rest in a prayer pavilion or shrine which
houses a Buddha image or images. Or you may form a conversation circle with your
companions in these places. If you do so, don't sit with your back against a
Buddha image. It is obviously a sign of disrespect or ill-manners.
Even if you are outside the prayer pavilion you may still be on the pagoda
terrace or platform. At the Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Yangon, you would be on the
platform with the Pagoda looming over you. If you sit on the platform it is
better not to sit with the Pagoda at your back.
TUCK AWAY YOUR FEET-
When you sit on the floor, as you will do, in a prayer pavilion, on the
pagoda platform or in a monastery building do sit neatly or modestly. The legs
should not be stretched out. The feet should be tucked away, the skirt pulled
over the knees. It is better if the tucked away feet are not toward the Buddha
image or pagoda.
DON'T SHOW SEXUAL AFFECTIONS AT THE PAGODA-
It should be clear without p0rompting or reminder that a pagoda, temple or
monastery is a place of worship or reverence and that indulgence in or
exhibition of sexual affection is not proper there. Show of sexual affection is
hugging, teasing or kissing. Simple holding of hands might pass but why do even
that when there are other occasions and places to do it.
DON'T DISTURB PEOPLE PRAYING OR MEDITATING-
People praying or meditating can be disturbed by loud talk, laughter or
movements beside them. Avoid loud talk or laughter near those people. When going
up to a Buddha image or a planetary prayer post or passing through a prayer
pavilion, take care not to step on or brush against them, especially when the
prayer pavilion or terrace is crowded.
DON'T HANDLE BUDDHA IMAGES OR SACRED OBJECTS WITH DISRESPECT-
You may forget that Buddha images or statuettes are sacred, and wily-ninny
leave them on the floor, at the foot of the bed, or more seriously, throw them
among the shoes. You may even wrap them with women's underwear to pack them in
the bag. Avoid doing these. The same advice goes for statuettes of gods,
photographs of pagodas, Buddha images or monasteries and books with pagodas on
the cover. Do not take such books to read in the bathroom or leave them there.
DON'T KEEP BUDDHA IMAGES OR SACRED OBJECTS IN INAPPROPRIATE PLACES-
Keep Buddha images, statuettes of areas or gods, photographs of pagodas and
books with pagodas on the cover or books on Buddhism on tables or desks at the
head-end of the bed, not at the foot of the stairs or even on a table in the
hall or lobby if the flight of stairs goes over them. Don't keep them on the
floor in the parlor or drawing-room; put them at least on a table or pedestal.
LEAVE A DONATION-
You will find little glass cases with a slit opening on top and money inside
or booths accepting donations for upkeep, illumination, gilding, of the pagoda
and for the nine functions. It is not essential that you do it but you will feel
good to leave a small donation. If you donate at the booth, you will get a
receipt.
SHOW RESPECT TO MONKS, NOVICES AND NUNS-
 A monk observes the 227 rules of the Discipline, studies the Doctrine, practices
meditation, is celibate, does not eat after noon, leads a life of abstinence and
minimum wants. He is worthy of respect and reverence. The young boy in yellow
robes observes much fewer rules but the discipline is equally strict, He is
dedicated to becoming a monk and is waiting to reach the permissible age of
ordination. He is equally worthy of respect. The female religious on in
light-yellow robes and clean shaven head is a nun who is equally dedicated to a
life of discipline and the study and practice of the Doctrine. She is only a nun
because the lineage has been broken and there is now no Order of Bikkhuni
(female monks).
DON'T OFFER TO SHAKE HANDS WITH A MONK-
However friendly you may feel and however cordial he may appear to be, don't
offer to shake hands with a monk. That would be disrespect. You can raise your
hands with palms pressed together in a gesture of reverence. This is the action
of gadaw. about which more earlier.
OFFER ARTICLES WITH BOTH HANDS-
When offering a gift to a monk, do so with both hands. Whether standing or
sitting you should approach him to within comfortable reach of bend forward. If
the presentation is not within comfortable reach, the act of giving is not
accomplished and he will give away the article.
SIT LOWER THAN A MONK-
Don't sit higher than or at a level with a monk. Place him on a chair or
platform so that you will be at a lower level. If there is no platform or chair
available, he will sit on a thin cloth cushion which is laid out. By this means
he raises himself that much from the floor on which you sit directly and saves
you the act of disrespect.
WHAT TO DO WHEN OFFERING A MONEY DONATION-
A monk is not allowed to handle money. But in an economy where virtually
everything is magnetized it is impossible to live without money. The monastery
needs money for upkeep, repair and development, for the feeding of monks and
novices, and for the "nine functions". If you wish to help by donating
money, you should put the money in an envelope or a fold of paper and request
the monk to designate a lay person to accept the donation. When he does so you
can hand over the money to that person. The money will be entered into an
account held in trust, and used for the "nine functions". The monk may
ask for donations to be paid out of that fund to other monasteries, pagodas or
charities.
DON'T OFFER FOOD AFTER NOON-
The rules of the Discipline does not permit a monk to eat after twelve
o'clock noon. A novice and a nun also abstain from eating after that tome.
However, they may accept a drink of lemon juice or other fruit juice free of
pulp or substance. They will not take milk or tea or coffee. The next food
accepted will be the earliest at dawn.
DON'T STAMP ON A MONK'S SHADOW-
If you meet or overtake a monk whose shadow is cast towards you, step aside,
not only to avoid brushing up against him but also to avoid stepping on his
shadow. A monk's shadow is as much a part of him and to step on it, especially
the shadow of the head, is a sure sign of disrespect.
A WOMAN SHOULD NOT TOUCH A MONK-
The rules of the Discipline does not permit a monk to touch
anything female, let alone a woman.  To be touched by a woman is an infraction of
the rule. Also, it is disrespect on the part of the woman. To let him avoid the
consequence of breading a rule and also as a matter on respect.
a woman should not touch a monk. She should avoid the possibility in a crowd or conveyance for
the monk to be pushed to brush up against her by moving aside. Myanmar women
follow this behavior.
BUDDHISM BACKGROUND-
The Buddhism of Myanmar is
Theravada Buddhism, the Doctrine of
the Elders, which is the Buddhism of the original preaching of Buddha. As such,
it is different from Tibetan or Japanese Buddhism, Mahayana or Greater Vehicle,
which contains later developments.
The essence of Buddhism is the self-reliance and self-effort in the great
endeavor for liberation from the cycle of rebirths.
Buddha was born about the middle of the sixth century B.C. at Lumbini in
present Nepal on the border as Prince Siddattha, son of king Suddhodana.
Foretold that He would one day renounce the princely life, the king had him
sheltered from the world. However, He saw a sick man, an old man, a corpse and
an ascetic. Prince Siddattha thought: "Though I am well now. this body is
liable to sickness; though I am young and strong now, this body will soon become
weak with old age; though I am now alive, this body will surely come to death.
Perhaps the way of life of an ascetic may enable Me to understand the
world."
One day, He renounced the princely life and practised the austerities, but at
the end of six years He realized that giving pain to the body did not develop
the mind. So He practised meditation and finally purified His mind, and attained
Enlightenment.
All things are transient. Transient things do not follow your desires. Hence,
there is suffering. Desire is the root cause of suffering. there is a way to end
this suffering. It is the Middle Way of morality, concentration of mind and
liberating knowledge. The wheel of Samsara is broken and Nirvana attained.
Buddha's last words were: "Transient are all compounded things. Strive on
with mindfulness."
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