November Full Moon

In Burma, every month's full moon is a reason to celebrate. The full moon of November is extra special, because the period of time from the full moon of October to the one in November is reserved for special donations from the people to the monasteries. It all culminates in a weekend of candle-lit temples and pagodas, dancing in the streets and, with Mr Win Tin, special donations to the monastery, followed by a delicious lunch.

These photos are Ty's, taken almost a month ago... unfortunately, work, my MA assignments and both of us being sick have kept me from updating. Also, only half the photos are here... I'll try to edit the post and upload the rest tomorrow (including a video of the procession up our street to the monastery near our place).

A rather non-descript little pagoda near our house, across from a grocery store...

suddenly becomes arty and beautiful

 Pinwheels of money, donated to the monastery, along with all sorts of daily items, from clocks to waste paper baskets, to soap, to notebooks... Some of these are raffled off, but some seem to be given to the monks.

 Coconut oil lamps around the pagoda

Balloons for sale outside the pagoda... why not?

In a pagoda in a nicer part of town (and frequented by the rich), the offerings are works of art in themselves. There were tables and tables of artfully carved watermelon, carrots... everything. More opulent than the mosques of Abu Dhabi.

Bringing donations to the monasteries: In the 2 weeks before the full moon, convoys of trucks like these were all over the city, blaring music and cheering each other on as they donated to monasteries throughout Yangon.

The next day, at Mr Win Tin's monastery, hundreds of people came out to donate to the monks. Actually, what happened was you stood in line, and you were handed a box containing a robe. You 'gave' your 'donation' to the head monk - first men, then women.

Waiting my turn with Mr Win Tin's daughter (in yellow).

 Mr Win Tin and Ty show off their longyis. Ty is also wearing the traditional Burmese collar-less shirt.

The procession that led up our street to the monastery...

Oh... and here is the 'dancing in the streets' part: The procession leading to the monastery up the street gave us a special performance. We're looking over our gate, and the blurry bit in front is the barbed wire on top...