A SURVEY OF BUDDHISM IN SHAN STATE

There can be found many types of people, tradition and culture in Shan State.

However, over ninety per cents of the population in Shan State are Buddhists and most of them are Shan people. As the Shans have been following the way of Buddhism since the ancient time, numerous old Buddha statues, stupas or cetiyas and Buddhist temples can be found most everywhere in the Shan land. Like the rest of Asia, Shan State has a monsoon climate with the well-know hot, wet and cold seasons.

The most popular ancient sites in Shan State are Murng Kerng (Mong Kung), Hsipaw, Murng Nai (Mone), Yonghwe, Keng Tung, Pangtra (Pinya) and so on. There can be found old pagoda and temples in these areas. Sao Sai Mong (Meng Rai) said that Stupas or Cetiyas in Shan State claims to be hundreds of years old.

The biggest and tallest stupa in Shan State is Kong Mu Long (The Great Stup) in Murng Kerng. It is ( ) feet high and ( ) square feet wide. It is really the type of bell-shape (ghantakara) while the seat at the bottom is rectangle. It was found painting in two kinds of color when I paid my homage to the stupa in June 1998, the rectangular part in white and from the bell up to the top in yellow. It is believed to have enshrined the sacred relic of the Buddha sent by Empire Asoka of India during the 3rd century BC. During the season of pilgrimage or religious festival in March or April, geeat festival called “pwe Lonsee” is celebrated at this pagoda. Many people from both local and another towns go to the pagoda and make great puja, offering to the Buddha and offer their excellent arms to the monks. In this pwe, even those who and not interested in religion are out with their families or friends in their best of clothes and jewellery. In those days, many writers had noted that everybody is happy and carefree making in many kinds of enjoyment. But, in contrary, today the situation has changed as everybody seems always worry for their daily life, not showing so much happiness even in the time of festival. How the Buddha’s word is true by saying that everything in the world is changing, impermanent, anicca.

Another famous pagoda or stupa in Shan State is Bo Kyo pagoda in Hsipaw. This stups is also believed to have the sacred relic of the Buddha. There are sitting Buddha images at each four directions of this stupa offered by Pagan King Narapatisithu in 1174 AD. The stupa and the Buddha images are now safely in a largte building which was built in 1966. The stupa inside of the building is 51 feet high. Again, it was repaired by the Burmese government in 1995. This Bo Kyw pagoda is therefore very famous not only to the Shan people but also to many people in the Union of Myanmar as well as to the tourists.

Besides, there are other well known places such as Pinya cave and Inle Pong Daw Oo pagda in Inle lake, southern Shan State; Mwe Daw Ho Lue in Kun Heing; Dhat Zoom Loi in Keng Tung etc. The Borithat pagoda near Younghwe is also a historical place though it is not so well known today. It was built by King Anoratha in 11th century AD.

Now let us turn to the movements of Sangha, monks who are equal important to the religion as well as society. Actually, it is true to say that the Shan Sangha is the heart of Shan literature and education of the people since in the ancient time. A famous historian, G.E. Harvey said that there was, from the late twelfth century onwards, a school of repute, the Kambojasangha, among the monks of Lai Hka, Southern Shan States. All Buddhist temples in Shan State are the centers of education until today. Then how they are important to the society? Easily speaking, it is the sangha, monks who manage the educational system which is the root of strength to make people in society to be developed. Moreover, when people face problem, when they plan to do something, then they go to the temple for help. The learned monk then gives good advice to them.

In addition, the politics and economics of the Shan State after the second world war were broken down day by day. But, in contrary, the activities of the Shan Sangha after the second word war ere seen highly in progress as the light of Buddhism rose like the sun shown over the Shan land, In 1956, the chiefs of Shan Sngha made great effort translating the Tipitaka into the Shan language, supported by Sao Shwe Taaik, the Sao Pha of Younhwe and the then first president of the Union of Myanmar.

In the eastern Shan State, the tradition and some religious activities of the Sangha and the people are little different from those of southern and northern Shan. Most of people living in eastern Shan State are called as “Kun” or “Tai Kun” Though their language is not quite different from other Shan, in writing they have their own alphabet which is called “Lik Kun” It has more characters than other Shan’s, 54 in number. They therefore have their own Tipitaka since centuries ago.

In conclusion, I would like to say that Shan State which is already beautiful in nature is more beautiful, significant and famous by decorating with cultural monument on her earth’s face. Traveling around the Shan State, seeing ancient sites, meeting with wonderful local people and their traditions will surely be the great enjoyment to the visitor.

By
Zao Jo Khuryern