Yelae Pagoda.

Buddhist temple, Yelae Pagoda, temple in the middle of water. Pilgrims ride boat to Yelae Pagoda. Yangon, Burma.

Yelae Pagoda.

Buddhist temple, Yelae Pagoda, temple in the middle of water. Pilgrims ride boat to Yelae Pagoda. Yangon, Myanmar.

Shin Pyu, Initiating Into Buddhist Order.

The word "Shin Pyu" in Myanmar means, "initiating into Buddhist Order as a Novice". The word ‘Shin’ means a novice and ‘Pyu’ means to make one. The Shin Pyu ceremony is a common event, as a family earns great merit when a son forsakes his childhood life and dons the robe of the monk for 1 week. Henceforth, he will have no possessions, save the bowl with which he begs his meals. Few novices remain in the order long enough to take their ordained vows, but clearly the initiation of the novice is cause for a huge celebration. Shewdagon Paya, Yangon, Burma.

Shin Pyu, Initiating Into Buddhist Order.

The word "Shin Pyu" in Myanmar means, "initiating into Buddhist Order as a Novice". The word ‘Shin’ means a novice and ‘Pyu’ means to make one. The Shin Pyu ceremony is a common event, as a family earns great merit when a son forsakes his childhood life and dons the robe of the monk for 1 week. Henceforth, he will have no possessions, save the bowl with which he begs his meals. Few novices remain in the order long enough to take their ordained vows, but clearly the initiation of the novice is cause for a huge celebration. Shewdagon Paya, Yangon, Burma.

Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay

While Myanmar boys are novitiated in the Shin Pyu ceremony, the girls also have an important ceremony in which their ear lobes are pierced so they can wear ear-rings when they come of age. Unlike the novitiation ceremony, this is more a social than religious even, and Myanmar women have traditionally worn ear-rings as ornaments as well as status symbols. The ear-rings can be made of silver or gold, with or without gemstones set in them, or they can be of modern design, and are interchangeable to match the dress and to suit the occasion. Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay. Burma.

Shin Pyu Celebration for Myanmar Girls.

While Myanmar boys are novitiated in the Shin Pyu ceremony, the girls also have an important ceremony in which their ear lobes are pierced so they can wear ear-rings when they come of age. Unlike the novitiation ceremony, this is more a social than religious even, and Myanmar women have traditionally worn ear-rings as ornaments as well as status symbols. The ear-rings can be made of silver or gold, with or without gemstones set in them, or they can be of modern design, and are interchangeable to match the dress and to suit the occasion. Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay. Burma.

Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay

One of the mothers of Shin Pyu celebrant at Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay. Burma. While Myanmar boys are novitiated in the Shin Pyu ceremony, the girls also have an important ceremony in which their ear lobes are pierced so they can wear ear-rings when they come of age. Unlike the novitiation ceremony, this is more a social than religious even, and Myanmar women have traditionally worn ear-rings as ornaments as well as status symbols. The ear-rings can be made of silver or gold, with or without gemstones set in them, or they can be of modern design, and are interchangeable to match the dress and to suit the occasion.

Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay

Boys aged between 9 and 12 are beautifully dressed in princely attire that can be attributed to the fact that the Buddha's son had been a prince himself participate the Shin Pyu or novitiation ceremony. It is one of the most important events in a Buddhist's life in Myanmar. Novitiation means allowing boys to enter the Buddha's Order of Sangha (or monks) as a novice after shaving their heads, donning robes, and asking permission in Pali to become a novice. Myanmar people regard their lives to be incomplete if they themselves, or their sons, have not been novices. Parents normally sponsor a novitiation as an obligation, but certain well-wishers can also contribute if the boy's own parents cannot afford the expense or if he is an orphan. The tradition dates back to the time of the Buddha some 2,500 years ago when the Buddha granted His son the heritage of becoming a novice. Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay. Burma.

Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay

Boys aged between 9 and 12 are beautifully dressed in princely attire that can be attributed to the fact that the Buddha's son had been a prince himself participate the Shin Pyu or novitiation ceremony. It is one of the most important events in a Buddhist's life in Myanmar. Novitiation means allowing boys to enter the Buddha's Order of Sangha (or monks) as a novice after shaving their heads, donning robes, and asking permission in Pali to become a novice. Myanmar people regard their lives to be incomplete if they themselves, or their sons, have not been novices. Parents normally sponsor a novitiation as an obligation, but certain well-wishers can also contribute if the boy's own parents cannot afford the expense or if he is an orphan. The tradition dates back to the time of the Buddha some 2,500 years ago when the Buddha granted His son the heritage of becoming a novice. Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay. Burma.

Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay

Happy mothers of Shin Pyu celebrant at Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay. Burma. While Myanmar boys are novitiated in the Shin Pyu ceremony, the girls also have an important ceremony in which their ear lobes are pierced so they can wear ear-rings when they come of age. Unlike the novitiation ceremony, this is more a social than religious even, and Myanmar women have traditionally worn ear-rings as ornaments as well as status symbols. The ear-rings can be made of silver or gold, with or without gemstones set in them, or they can be of modern design, and are interchangeable to match the dress and to suit the occasion.

Shin Pyu or Novitiation Ceremony.

Boys aged between 9 and 12 are beautifully dressed in princely attire that can be attributed to the fact that the Buddha's son had been a prince himself. The Shin Pyu or novitiation ceremony is one of the most important events in a Buddhist's life in Myanmar. Novitiation means allowing boys to enter the Buddha's Order of Sangha (or monks) as a novice after shaving their heads, donning robes, and asking permission in Pali to become a novice. Outskirts of Yangon, Burma.

Shin Pyu Celebration for Myanmar Girl.s

While Myanmar boys are novitiated in the Shin Pyu ceremony, the girls also have an important ceremony in which their ear lobes are pierced so they can wear ear-rings when they come of age. Unlike the novitiation ceremony, this is more a social than religious even, and Myanmar women have traditionally worn ear-rings as ornaments as well as status symbols. The ear-rings can be made of silver or gold, with or without gemstones set in them, or they can be of modern design, and are interchangeable to match the dress and to suit the occasion. Outskirts of Yangon, Burma.

Shin Pyu or Novitiation Ceremony.

Boys aged between 9 and 12 are beautifully dressed in princely attire that can be attributed to the fact that the Buddha's son had been a prince himself. The Shin Pyu or novitiation ceremony is one of the most important events in a Buddhist's life in Myanmar. Novitiation means allowing boys to enter the Buddha's Order of Sangha (or monks) as a novice after shaving their heads, donning robes, and asking permission in Pali to become a novice. Outskirts of Yangon, Burma.

Shin Pyu or Novitiation Ceremony.

Young Burmese boys don robe for 7 days after Shin Pyu or novitiation ceremony. Myanmar people regard their lives to be incomplete if they themselves, or their sons, have not been novices. Parents normally sponsor a novitiation as an obligation, but certain well-wishers can also contribute if the boy's own parents cannot afford the expense or if he is an orphan. The tradition dates back to the time of the Buddha some 2,500 years ago when the Buddha granted His son the heritage of becoming a novice. Outskirts of Bagan, Burma.

Shin Pyu or Novitiation Ceremony.

Young Burmese boys don robe for 7 days after Shin Pyu or novitiation ceremony. Myanmar people regard their lives to be incomplete if they themselves, or their sons, have not been novices. Parents normally sponsor a novitiation as an obligation, but certain well-wishers can also contribute if the boy's own parents cannot afford the expense or if he is an orphan. The tradition dates back to the time of the Buddha some 2,500 years ago when the Buddha granted His son the heritage of becoming a novice. Outskirts of Bagan, Burma.

Shin Pyu, Initiating Into Buddhist Order.

Novice monks who have just performed Shin Pyu. The word "Shin Pyu" in Myanmar means, "initiating into Buddhist Order as a Novice". The word ‘Shin’ means a novice and ‘Pyu’ means to make one. The Shin Pyu ceremony is a common event, as a family earns great merit when a son forsakes his childhood life and dons the robe of the monk for 1 week. Henceforth, he will have no possessions, save the bowl with which he begs his meals. Few novices remain in the order long enough to take their ordained vows, but clearly the initiation of the novice is cause for a huge celebration. Shewdagon Paya, Yangon, Burma.

Shin Pyu, Initiating Into Buddhist Order.

Novice monks who have just performed Shin Pyu. The word "Shin Pyu" in Myanmar means, "initiating into Buddhist Order as a Novice". The word ‘Shin’ means a novice and ‘Pyu’ means to make one. The Shin Pyu ceremony is a common event, as a family earns great merit when a son forsakes his childhood life and dons the robe of the monk for 1 week. Henceforth, he will have no possessions, save the bowl with which he begs his meals. Few novices remain in the order long enough to take their ordained vows, but clearly the initiation of the novice is cause for a huge celebration. Shewdagon Paya, Yangon, Burma.

Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay

Young Burmese boys don robe for 7 days after Shin Pyu or novitiation ceremony. Myanmar people regard their lives to be incomplete if they themselves, or their sons, have not been novices. Parents normally sponsor a novitiation as an obligation, but certain well-wishers can also contribute if the boy's own parents cannot afford the expense or if he is an orphan. The tradition dates back to the time of the Buddha some 2,500 years ago when the Buddha granted His son the heritage of becoming a novice. Mahamuni Pagoda complex in Mandalay. Burma.

Burma

Monks at Gorkha Theravada Triratana Buddha Vihara in Pyin Oo Lwin. People from different walks of life become monk and nuns for 12 days and meditate to gain merit. This happens once in every year. Burma.

Burmese Monk.

Monks on Alms. On the way to Jiwabari

Novice Monks. Pyin Oo Lwin.

Novice monks in alms walk in Pyin Oo Lwin. People give alms to monks to gain merit. Burma.

Burmese Monks. Pyin Oo Lwin.

Monks in alms walk in Pyin Oo Lwin. People give alms to monks to gain merit. Burma.

Burmese Monk. Pyin Oo Lwin.

Early morning alms walk. Downtown Pyin Oo Lwin. Burma.

Burmese Monk. Pyin Oo Lwin.

Early morning alms walk. Downtown Pyin Oo Lwin. Burma.

Burmese Monk. Pyin Oo Lwin.

Early morning alms walk. Downtown Pyin Oo Lwin. Burma.

Pyin Oo Lwin, Burma.

Monks in alms walk in Pyin Oo Lwin. People give alms to monks to gain merit. Burma.

Pyin Oo Lwin, Burma.

Novice monks in alms walk in Pyin Oo Lwin. People give alms to monks to gain merit. Burma.

Burma

Lunchtime. A monk with his rice bowl at Gorkha Theravada Triratana Buddha Vihara in Pyin Oo Lwin. Burma.

Meditating Monks. Pyin Oo Lwin.

Novice monks and their Masters meditate at Gorkha Theravada Triratana Buddha Vihara in Pyin Oo Lwin. People from different walks of life become monk and nuns for 12 days and meditate to gain merit. This happens once in every year. Burma.

Meditating Monks. Pyin Oo Lwin.

Novice monks and their Masters meditate at Gorkha Theravada Triratana Buddha Vihara in Pyin Oo Lwin. People from different walks of life become monk and nuns for 12 days and meditate to gain merit. This happens once in every year. Burma.