Spent Brothers Productions
Images of Burma 2002

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MANDALAY

  
We arrived at Mahamuni temple in Mandalay fortuitously as a group of young boys
were undertaking ordination as novice Buddhist monks

 
Socially, every Burmese male is expected to take up temporary monastic residency twice
First as a novice monk (between the ages 5 to 15 years) for a week or two
and later as a fully ordained monk  for a similar short period
In Burma there are also many thousands who have entered the monkhood for a third time permanently
as well as a large number of nuns

 

 
Family members follow the boys into the ceremony (right)


The magnificent Mahamuni Buddha image transported from Mrauk U in 1784 CE
It may date as far back as C1st CE
The 4 m high seated image was cast in bronze but it is has since been coated
by countless male devotees with gold leaf to a thickness of 15 cm

  
Tiny celebrant / Derek in the temple courtyard


Celebrants after the ceremony

  
Sheila & monks in the temple courtyard

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