Buddhist in Burma

Buddhism in Burma (also known as Myanmar)is predominantly of the Theravada tradition, practiced by 89% of the country's population. It is the most... more

by Jennie Breeze

Title

Buddhist in Burma

Artist

Jennie Breeze

Medium

Photograph - Original Img_1002

Description

Buddhism in Burma (also known as Myanmar)is predominantly of the Theravada tradition, practiced by 89% of the country's population. It is the most religious Buddhist country in terms of the proportion of monks in the population and proportion of income spent on religion. Monks, collectively known as the sangha, are venerated members of Burmese society. Among many ethnic groups in Myanmar, Theravada Buddhism is practiced which involves the placation of spirits who can intercede in worldly affairs. The original monks made their robes from discarded cloth found in rubbish heaps and on cremation grounds. After washing, the robe cloth was boiled with vegetable matter -- leaves, roots and flowers -- and often spices, which would turn the cloth some shade of orange. Monks today wear robes made of cloth that is donated or purchased, but in Southeast Asia the cloth usually is still dyed in spice colors. Theravada monks of southeast Asia today still wear spice-color robes, in shades of curry, cumin and paprika as well as blazing orange.

Uploaded

February 23rd, 2015