Every visitor to Myanmar being a Buddhist Country embracing with Therabardha
Buddhism will have the most pleasant stay in Myanmar if one acquaint with some
customs and beliefs of its' People.
Myanmar people are very genius, sympatric, kind and always keep the benevolent
heart and loving kindness to the others due to the basic belief of Buddhism. One
thing taught by the Buddha is to refrain from doing bad, and keep doing good
always. Therefore, the people you meet everywhere is always happy to help
others. When you feel like you need help, please do not hesitate to ask any
people who are willing to give their hands. Thus giving some tips or money or
some present can be shown as the gesture of your thanks to them who help you in
any ways. But you must keep in mind that the willingness to help your need is
the truly simple regardless of return from the others.
Respect to the Elder
Myanmar people are very polite, and always respect to the elders. There are five
main categories to which Myanmar people humble pay respect. The first is the
Buddha, Dhama, the teaching of Buddha, the second, Sanga, the disciples of
Buddha or the member of Buddhist order, the third, Ami-Apha, the mother, and the
father, and Ahsariya, the teacher is the fifth. One always pays respect to whom
he or she is elder than oneself even older than at least a minute, an hour, a
day or a year. You will see a small porch or a shelf at the head-level in the
eastern part of every Myanmar Buddhist house where a small statue of Buddha made
by wood or bronze is put up on a small throne. The people show their respect or
gesture by paying homage to the venerable Buddha Image or offering flowers or
light up a candle or fruits early morning or later in the evening.
Etiquette
Myanmar is one of the Buddhist countries in south East Asia, and the following
cultural rules or social ethics are to be followed;
- Foot wares including the socks are not allowed in
the religious precincts such as Pagodas, temples, and
monasteries. There is certain place or kept-places where
one can leave their foot-wares without loosing during
the time of studying or learning the religious monument.
Because it is not the right way to hold the foot-wares
all the way you visit in those place.
- Myanmar dresses are very conservative, and keep
avoiding of anything unsuitable in the public. One
should not wear blouse or short-pants in the religious
edifices or Buddhist monasteries.
- Women are strictly prohibited to sit on higher level
such as the roof of boat, or buses while the other
elders or monks or nuns and men are sitting beneath.
- Traditionally, the men do not shake hands with woman
or a lady. It is rude to sit on a chair putting one's
feet on the table, and never stretch up your feet to the
direction of the elders, or monks or Buddha Image
- We do not show our temper in the public whenever we
feel aggravate. Because, the others can involve in your
affairs. Use your two hands when you offer something or
present to the elders and to the monks.
- It is good greeting to someone by smiling. But we
always bow our heads to greet the monks.
