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| Festival IN Myanmar ## Kahsoun (Kason) : May |
| The Merry Month (Kahsoun) |
Myanmar New Year begins with sprays of cool water
showering on friends with goodwill and loving kindness. Come Kason, the
second month of the year, and once again water is poured, this time, on the
sacred tree, the Bodhi tree, the tree of enlightenment.
The full moon of Kason month is a three-fold
anniversary: the birth of Siddatha, the Buddha to-be. His attaining of
Enlightenment at the foot of the Bodhi tree, and the passing of the Buddha into
Nibbana.
Such episodes in the Buddha's life live on to this
day, after 25 centuries, in poems, songs, plays, paintings, scriptures, and
last but not least, in the hearts of the Buddhists. Emphasis is laid on
the paying of respects to the sacred tree in remembrance of the Buddha's
Enlightenment. That particular day brought to all beings, hope of
deliverance from Suffering.
On that morning, there was nothing but peace and
beauty. Flowers unfolded their soft petals and threw open their treasure
chests of sweetness. The air was filled with the song of birds. Far
and near, into the homes of men, there spread an unkown peace. All evil
hearts grew gentle.
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Prince Siddatha, now in hermit's garb, sat under the
Bodhi tree, radiant, rejoicing and strong, and from His lips poured forth the
words beginning Aneka jatisangsarung, a song of triumph. It was a
glorious moment. He had, for many many lives, sought "who wrought these
prisons of the senses, sorrow fraught". On that morning, he could
declare, "I know thee, never shall thou build again these walls of pain". He
had become the Buddha. |
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After 45 years of teaching the Truth he had found, the
Buddha passed away to nibbana on the full moon day of Kason. His
last admonition to His disciples was: "Always be mindful: never let yourselves
slip into negligence and forgetfulness." |
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Buddhists celebrate these anniversaries in the spirit
of the Buddha's teachings. They give alms, keep precepts, practise
meditation. The Buddha's teachings are remembered in all their
meritorious deeds. Since such deeds are done communally, the custom of
going to the local pagodas in groups is observed for many generations. |
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Men and Women of all ages go to local pagodas in
processions to pour water on the sacred tree. Young women carry water
pots on their heads, none too heavy, but just enough to lend them a Balinese
grace as they walk along. Red earthen pots topped with green banana leaves give
a picturesque effect, especially with flower-bedecked chignons hanging down the
maidens' napes. |
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The procession, as usual, is attended by music troupes. The
Myanmar folk music troupe consists of simple instruments, namely, the drum,
cymbals, bamboo clappers and flute. With one or more mountebanks dancing
to the snappy tunes one can have all the fun and merriment. One does not
have to be specially talented to be able to play these instruments, nor
n\anyone to be a Nureyev to do the dance steps. Anyone can join in. |
The songs usually are playful and teasing and they run
something like this:
come along my pretty maid
I'll take thee right to Nibbana
It's the goal I'll strive
For thee and me, for me and thee
Thou art all goodness and virtue
Ever bent on doing deeds of merit,
Oh, look, thy beauteous face all damp
With beads of perspriation, oh,
Do not strain so much, my dear,
Let me help thee...let me carry the pot for thee!
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Here the ardent swain is asking his maid to come along
with him to the Goal of Nibbana, the Cessation of all desires. Buddhism
teachs negation all worldly desires. This is, perhaps, one of the
idiosyncracies of Myanmar ways and custom. They stick to the principles
of Buddhism and at the same time they are very much of the world. |
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When a young man says "the three little words" he does
so in term of samsara, the cycle of rebirths. His "yours forever"
promises to love her, not in this life but in all the lives to come. "May
we always be together in all our future lives...if we were born as birds, we
shall roost on the same branch,"... such expressions are common in love songs. |
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Nibbana is the goal for all Buddhists to strive for;
but then it is a ling way to go. There is plenty to enjoy, and inevitably
to suffer, (but never mind!), and also much to do in the way of striving for
the Goal. Naturally, one wishes to have a helpmate and companion for the
ling journey "to warm, to comfort and command". |
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Perhaps, this ever-present Buddhist way of through in
all aspects of Myanmar life exalts the mudance and the earthy to sublime and
spiritual heights. |
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Even as the young couples pour water on the Bodhi
tree, their thoughts are on the meaning of the full moon of Kason month, the
triple anniversary, Price Siddatha's nativity, His Enlightenment under the
Bodhi tree His passing into Nibbana. The event is celebrated in folk
songs, classical arias and even in modern is celevrated in folk songs,
classical arias and even in modern pop tunes. |
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More Info:
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Religious
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12 Months' Festivals
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References
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Travel & Tour
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