I live in Kaba Aye. My house is situated across the precincts of the Kaba Aye Pagoda. So I often take a leisure walk inside it.
I live in Kaba Aye. My house is situated across the precincts of the Kaba Aye Pagoda. So I often take a leisure walk inside it.
Last Sunday, I got up early and took a walk into the precincts of the Pagoda. I entered it from the gate near the Sar-taik bus-stop and followed the path leading to the Mahapasana cave. I noticed that the whole precinct was cool and fresh from the rain which fell last night. When I neared the cave, I espied the glittering sacred umbrella of the Kaba Aye Pagoda towering above the thick foliage of trees. To my knowledge, the pagoda was built by Prime Minister U Nu in 1952 to restore peace in Yangon. So he named it ‘Kaba Aye Pagoda’ meaning ‘The pagoda of World Peace’. Kaba Aye region also takes its name after this pagoda. The relics of the Aggasavaka ( Vens. Sariputtara and Moggalana) of the Gotama Buddha presented to U Nu by Prime Minister Neru during his pilgrimage to Buddhagaya were enshrined in its relic chamber.
My train of thoughts about the Kaba Aye Pagoda ceased when I saw some people exercising under the shady trees growing around the Mahapasana Cave. They were of different ages. Some were running, some jogging and some walking around the cave. Some fat women were swiveling their body around their waist and holding up and down their hands. A few monks were also walking serenely around the cave. I looked up at the cave, I saw many boulders on its roof, among which different species of trees were growing. The cave is said to have been built in 1954 to house the Sixth Buddhist Synod.
When I glanced north, I saw the Pitaka Taik( Library) in a large compound. It is said that it was built just before the Sixth Buddhist Synod in 1954. As it was a well-stocked library, it was like a treasure for scholars and researchers. There lay an oval-shaped pond before it, around which were shrubs of different flowering plants. So the whole compound of the Pitaka Taik was very pleasant. When I got behind the cave, I found the office of the Chairman of the State Samgha Mahanayaka Committee on the left side of the path. As far as I knew, Chairman Sayadaw Dr. Kumarabhivamsa was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures. I often listened to the Dhamma he preached on the television. Since he preached the Dhamma short and to the point., my parents never lost the opportunity of hearing his Dhamma.
I turned left and followed the path leading to the Nga-hlawk-kan (Fish-freeing Lake). On both sides of the path were lines of shady, old trees. Behind them stood some high office-buildings. On the way to the lake, I espied the State Pariyatti Sasana University. It is known that it was opened in 1985 at the advice of Mingwin Sayadaw to produce local and foreign missionary monks. Today, it was one of the leading religious universities in Myanmar.
When I got to the junction where the Samgha hospital stood, I took the path skirting round the Nga-hlwak-kan. On the right side of the path, I found some vegetable-plantations, a few brick-houses and two ponds. On the left was the Nga-hlawk-kan in which water was full to its brink. On the other side of the lake stood a great ordination hall called ‘Maha Sima’. It was built in the Sinhalese architectural style. Soon, I reached the mound at the end of the path. On the mound were some one-storeyed brick-houses in the large compounds covered with shady trees. I found no one there. Therefore, I heard no sound except some calls of birds coming from afar. I continued to walk along the bunds of the lake. When I reached the other bank of the lake, I found some people feeding food to the fishes in the lake and some, to crows and pigeons in the patch of land in front of the Maha Sima. My mind was filled with peace, when I saw them doing such meritorious deeds. I looked up at the sky to find the sun already high. So I made my way back home.
In conclusion, I found that my mind became fresh and full of strength due to coolness and peace offered by the trees and religious buildings in the precincts of the Kaba Aye Pagoda. I therefore think that if responsible personnel keep this wooded sacred site in pristine purity, it will become a good destination for nature-lovers, tourists and pilgrims.
I live in Kaba Aye. My house is situated across the precincts of the Kaba Aye Pagoda. So I often take a leisure walk inside it.
Last Sunday, I got up early and took a walk into the precincts of the Pagoda. I entered it from the gate near the Sar-taik bus-stop and followed the path leading to the Mahapasana cave. I noticed that the whole precinct was cool and fresh from the rain which fell last night. When I neared the cave, I espied the glittering sacred umbrella of the Kaba Aye Pagoda towering above the thick foliage of trees. To my knowledge, the pagoda was built by Prime Minister U Nu in 1952 to restore peace in Yangon. So he named it ‘Kaba Aye Pagoda’ meaning ‘The pagoda of World Peace’. Kaba Aye region also takes its name after this pagoda. The relics of the Aggasavaka ( Vens. Sariputtara and Moggalana) of the Gotama Buddha presented to U Nu by Prime Minister Neru during his pilgrimage to Buddhagaya were enshrined in its relic chamber.
My train of thoughts about the Kaba Aye Pagoda ceased when I saw some people exercising under the shady trees growing around the Mahapasana Cave. They were of different ages. Some were running, some jogging and some walking around the cave. Some fat women were swiveling their body around their waist and holding up and down their hands. A few monks were also walking serenely around the cave. I looked up at the cave, I saw many boulders on its roof, among which different species of trees were growing. The cave is said to have been built in 1954 to house the Sixth Buddhist Synod.
When I glanced north, I saw the Pitaka Taik( Library) in a large compound. It is said that it was built just before the Sixth Buddhist Synod in 1954. As it was a well-stocked library, it was like a treasure for scholars and researchers. There lay an oval-shaped pond before it, around which were shrubs of different flowering plants. So the whole compound of the Pitaka Taik was very pleasant. When I got behind the cave, I found the office of the Chairman of the State Samgha Mahanayaka Committee on the left side of the path. As far as I knew, Chairman Sayadaw Dr. Kumarabhivamsa was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures. I often listened to the Dhamma he preached on the television. Since he preached the Dhamma short and to the point., my parents never lost the opportunity of hearing his Dhamma.
I turned left and followed the path leading to the Nga-hlawk-kan (Fish-freeing Lake). On both sides of the path were lines of shady, old trees. Behind them stood some high office-buildings. On the way to the lake, I espied the State Pariyatti Sasana University. It is known that it was opened in 1985 at the advice of Mingwin Sayadaw to produce local and foreign missionary monks. Today, it was one of the leading religious universities in Myanmar.
When I got to the junction where the Samgha hospital stood, I took the path skirting round the Nga-hlwak-kan. On the right side of the path, I found some vegetable-plantations, a few brick-houses and two ponds. On the left was the Nga-hlawk-kan in which water was full to its brink. On the other side of the lake stood a great ordination hall called ‘Maha Sima’. It was built in the Sinhalese architectural style. Soon, I reached the mound at the end of the path. On the mound were some one-storeyed brick-houses in the large compounds covered with shady trees. I found no one there. Therefore, I heard no sound except some calls of birds coming from afar. I continued to walk along the bunds of the lake. When I reached the other bank of the lake, I found some people feeding food to the fishes in the lake and some, to crows and pigeons in the patch of land in front of the Maha Sima. My mind was filled with peace, when I saw them doing such meritorious deeds. I looked up at the sky to find the sun already high. So I made my way back home.
In conclusion, I found that my mind became fresh and full of strength due to coolness and peace offered by the trees and religious buildings in the precincts of the Kaba Aye Pagoda. I therefore think that if responsible personnel keep this wooded sacred site in pristine purity, it will become a good destination for nature-lovers, tourists and pilgrims.
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I lived in Thanlyin for a few years, when I was young. So, I have long wanted to visit it. Luckily, my long-awaited chance came to me last Monday.
I lived in Thanlyin for a few years, when I was young. So, I have long wanted to visit it. Luckily, my long-awaited chance came to me last Monday.
That morning , when my brother told me about their trip to Thanlyin by phone, I was in the class at the University of Foreign Languages .As I did not want to miss this opportunity , I requested permission from the professor to accompany my brother to Thanlyin .The professor acceded to my request .When my brother came to the gate of the university where I was awaiting their arrival, I found in their car some writers , with whom I was quite acquainted.
It was 11:30, when we got to the Thanlyin Bridge .The sun was already up in in the cloudy sky , half hidden among the clouds .The turbulent Yangon river was lingering lazily under it .When I throw my look towards the surface of the water, I saw a wide expanse of Yangon river.Suddenly , I remembered my frequent swimming with my brothers near the bank of Yangon river . On the left down, some distance from the bridge were a sand-bank and a small island covered with green tall grass . When our car approached the other side of the bridge , the tops of the tall trees growing in a line starting from the water-edge seemed to be rising up quickly towards our car running on the bridge .After our car had crossed the junction at the entrance of Thanlyin, we espied the arched gate-way into the precincts of the Shin Hmwe Lun Pagoda some metres away on the right .And then our car again made its way a long Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Road. We did not stop on the way until Kyauktan where the Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda was situated. When we reached the Hmaw Wam creek , where Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda was situated .When we reached the Hmaw Wam creek, where Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda stood , it was already 12.So our group members were very hungry.
Thus , we entered a food center where Myanmar traditional cuisines are sold . Then , we partook of meals and other delicious curries to our heart's content. Then we bought the flowers for Buddha images and the feed for the fishes and pigeons. Next, we walked to the ferry -port on the bank of the Maw Wam creek , in the middle of which the Kyaik Maw Wam was located. Many sellers ran after us and sold their goods .I bought some lottery tickets from a lottery-ticket seller .
To save time, we hired a motered-boat for 3000 Kyats .When we reached the islet where the Kyaik Maw Wam pagoda was, we found there many pilgrims from different walks of life ,some feeding food to big fish coming to the pagoda with the currents and to pigeons and some paying homage to the wish-fulfilled marble Buddha image in the shrine room .It was wonderful to see fish bobbing up to water -surface and pulling the feed down into the water. I also saw the statue of Venerable Upagutta in a brass shrine near the shrine room .Legend has it that the Kyaik Maw Wam pagoda was built by king Bhogasena , ruler of Pada Kingdom in the year283 Sasana Era, that its original height was seven cubits and then king Tutta Naga , the tenth of his descendants , enshrined in it one hair-relic of the Buddha and other relics brought from Sri Lanka .It was uplifted to the height of 34 cubits in 1909 and given renovation in 1948 and 1989 respectively .We left pagoda at 2:00 pm .On the way back , we dropped in on the Kyaik Khauk Pagoda standing majestically on Uttaringa Hill and other historical sites .
We felt hungry and exhausted at 3:15 pm .Therefore we stopped over at food centre " Lucky Morning " in downtown Thanlyin. We ate fried tofu , spring rolls and other refreshments . We drank tea there .Then we return home straight. Although we felt stiffed and tired due to the constant posture in the car all the way, we were refreshed by the beautiful green landscapes on both sides of the way and my desire to visit Thanlyin was fulfilled.
Photo- Tripadvisor
I lived in Thanlyin for a few years, when I was young. So, I have long wanted to visit it. Luckily, my long-awaited chance came to me last Monday.
That morning , when my brother told me about their trip to Thanlyin by phone, I was in the class at the University of Foreign Languages .As I did not want to miss this opportunity , I requested permission from the professor to accompany my brother to Thanlyin .The professor acceded to my request .When my brother came to the gate of the university where I was awaiting their arrival, I found in their car some writers , with whom I was quite acquainted.
It was 11:30, when we got to the Thanlyin Bridge .The sun was already up in in the cloudy sky , half hidden among the clouds .The turbulent Yangon river was lingering lazily under it .When I throw my look towards the surface of the water, I saw a wide expanse of Yangon river.Suddenly , I remembered my frequent swimming with my brothers near the bank of Yangon river . On the left down, some distance from the bridge were a sand-bank and a small island covered with green tall grass . When our car approached the other side of the bridge , the tops of the tall trees growing in a line starting from the water-edge seemed to be rising up quickly towards our car running on the bridge .After our car had crossed the junction at the entrance of Thanlyin, we espied the arched gate-way into the precincts of the Shin Hmwe Lun Pagoda some metres away on the right .And then our car again made its way a long Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Road. We did not stop on the way until Kyauktan where the Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda was situated. When we reached the Hmaw Wam creek , where Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda was situated .When we reached the Hmaw Wam creek, where Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda stood , it was already 12.So our group members were very hungry.
Thus , we entered a food center where Myanmar traditional cuisines are sold . Then , we partook of meals and other delicious curries to our heart's content. Then we bought the flowers for Buddha images and the feed for the fishes and pigeons. Next, we walked to the ferry -port on the bank of the Maw Wam creek , in the middle of which the Kyaik Maw Wam was located. Many sellers ran after us and sold their goods .I bought some lottery tickets from a lottery-ticket seller .
To save time, we hired a motered-boat for 3000 Kyats .When we reached the islet where the Kyaik Maw Wam pagoda was, we found there many pilgrims from different walks of life ,some feeding food to big fish coming to the pagoda with the currents and to pigeons and some paying homage to the wish-fulfilled marble Buddha image in the shrine room .It was wonderful to see fish bobbing up to water -surface and pulling the feed down into the water. I also saw the statue of Venerable Upagutta in a brass shrine near the shrine room .Legend has it that the Kyaik Maw Wam pagoda was built by king Bhogasena , ruler of Pada Kingdom in the year283 Sasana Era, that its original height was seven cubits and then king Tutta Naga , the tenth of his descendants , enshrined in it one hair-relic of the Buddha and other relics brought from Sri Lanka .It was uplifted to the height of 34 cubits in 1909 and given renovation in 1948 and 1989 respectively .We left pagoda at 2:00 pm .On the way back , we dropped in on the Kyaik Khauk Pagoda standing majestically on Uttaringa Hill and other historical sites .
We felt hungry and exhausted at 3:15 pm .Therefore we stopped over at food centre " Lucky Morning " in downtown Thanlyin. We ate fried tofu , spring rolls and other refreshments . We drank tea there .Then we return home straight. Although we felt stiffed and tired due to the constant posture in the car all the way, we were refreshed by the beautiful green landscapes on both sides of the way and my desire to visit Thanlyin was fulfilled.
Photo- Tripadvisor
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IF the December 2023 figures of 700 foreign visitors to Inle (pronounced Inn Lay) are anything to go by, it would be a case study of a major tourist attraction in ‘perpetual recuperation mode’.
IF the December 2023 figures of 700 foreign visitors to Inle (pronounced Inn Lay) are anything to go by, it would be a case study of a major tourist attraction in ‘perpetual recuperation mode’.
Recalling the heydays during the 2013 to 2016 periods, when boatmen had difficulties finding slips for their motorised sampans, said Aung Lin, one of the few remaining boatmen, playing their trade transporting visitors around the real Venice of Asia. Now, many of them have either given up or been toiling and praying for their daily continuance after getting bruised for four consecutive years due to the double jeopardy of COVID-19 and politics.
Gone were the days when thousands of domestic and foreign visitors descended upon Inn Lay Lake to enjoy the uniqueness of nature, putting this vast lake up on top of an enormous plateau. People have to queue just to get onto the sampans. Jetties were precious assets, and tourists waited for their turns to get on board. The expansive lake is bustling with activities, from the feeding of the seagulls, admiring fishermen on skiffs, stepping on floating strips of islets used for growing tomatoes, visiting many unique attractions, and simply waving each other from mechanised sampans.
I went to Inn Lay in the middle of January to check out the reality of the circumstances. Alas, the flight from Yangon was packed for both legs. A group of Korean tourists were spotted on the same flight with us. Sadly, on our boat ride to the hotel, during our three-night stay or on tours of the attractions, we ended up ‘Waving into Thin Air’, crisp and freezing, in this desolate beauty of nature, disheartened and dispirited by ineluctable causes, perforce.
As Confucius once said, ‘We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope’. The glimmer of hope arises just like a phoenix arising from the ashes of its previous life, starting with the resort that we stayed in. Only with a couple or so of villas occupied during our mini break, Villa Inle Boutique Resort is keeping its operational costs to a minimum by growing its own organic vegetables and operating a small poultry farm producing organic eggs – An ultimate combination of freshness and nature perhaps. I have spoken to a few other hoteliers around the lake; they also have upcoming batches of visitors from abroad to add whatever little vibrancy they can to the destination. I also spoke to car leasing operators. All have downsized their operations and possessions for their continued survival. One such operator, Thura, has already sold off two of his vehicles and is now just operating with one car. He said he did not have a choice and knew no other way of earning a living now.
Adding to their despair is the deficient infrastructure, poor law and order and present high-security environment. Electricity supply has always been a shortcoming in Myanmar, but the situation is made worse by NNCP terrorist at tacks on electrical infrastructure and government despondency to implement any major infra projects during and after COVID-19. This is adding woes to the hotels as the first question most domestic tourists and local visitors typically ask would be, ‘Would there be a 24-hour electrical supply during my stay?’. Even in boutique hotels such as Ville Inle, which charges around $100 a night, the cost of running a generator to affect uninterrupted power supply would be set back by more than per night revenues from a couple of rooms. More so for larger hotels. With a significantly reduced number of visitors during this peak season, this is a promise that hotels simply cannot fulfill.
Recent shortages in fuel supply have all the hotels and other businesses scrambling to get limited supply at exorbitant prices, exacerbating operational losses for all wanting to put on a better show during this holiday season.
Political changes and anti-government activities have made the law and order situation worse, too. Even crooked villagers became more daring, attempting a variety of methods to extort money out of good businesses operating in and around Inn Lay.
The security situation all across the country is demanding the creation of barbicans and barricades at multiple junctions around Inn Lay, and this is forcing visitors and the general public to stay home after sunset. This is a stark contrast to lively night scenes as late as five years ago.
Can Inle survive?
Just like in war, speed is essential to survival. Speed of action, strategy and successful implantation. The difficulty here is not in individual attempts but in teamwork that involves government (ministries), businesses, media and private individuals from here and abroad, pushing the wheels of improvements into motion.
Government help is needed in infrastructure (especially electricity), security, nationwide promotions and convincing people to support local attractions. Businesses must also find innovative ways to promote, survive, and generate alternative income. Media assistance is most needed to reflect the truth about Myanmar, combat fake news that infected the minds of international visitors and prevent tourist arrivals en masse. Visitors from home and abroad must also adjust their expectations and increase their support for the local economy of Inle through spending on handicrafts and tours and enjoying longer vacations.
Without such efforts, the laggard attraction will continue to remain in the doldrums for many years to come. It may end up being in a slow death and becoming a desert of dejection and despair, doomed due to despondency from all stakeholders concerned.
Source- www.moi.gov.mm
IF the December 2023 figures of 700 foreign visitors to Inle (pronounced Inn Lay) are anything to go by, it would be a case study of a major tourist attraction in ‘perpetual recuperation mode’.
Recalling the heydays during the 2013 to 2016 periods, when boatmen had difficulties finding slips for their motorised sampans, said Aung Lin, one of the few remaining boatmen, playing their trade transporting visitors around the real Venice of Asia. Now, many of them have either given up or been toiling and praying for their daily continuance after getting bruised for four consecutive years due to the double jeopardy of COVID-19 and politics.
Gone were the days when thousands of domestic and foreign visitors descended upon Inn Lay Lake to enjoy the uniqueness of nature, putting this vast lake up on top of an enormous plateau. People have to queue just to get onto the sampans. Jetties were precious assets, and tourists waited for their turns to get on board. The expansive lake is bustling with activities, from the feeding of the seagulls, admiring fishermen on skiffs, stepping on floating strips of islets used for growing tomatoes, visiting many unique attractions, and simply waving each other from mechanised sampans.
I went to Inn Lay in the middle of January to check out the reality of the circumstances. Alas, the flight from Yangon was packed for both legs. A group of Korean tourists were spotted on the same flight with us. Sadly, on our boat ride to the hotel, during our three-night stay or on tours of the attractions, we ended up ‘Waving into Thin Air’, crisp and freezing, in this desolate beauty of nature, disheartened and dispirited by ineluctable causes, perforce.
As Confucius once said, ‘We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope’. The glimmer of hope arises just like a phoenix arising from the ashes of its previous life, starting with the resort that we stayed in. Only with a couple or so of villas occupied during our mini break, Villa Inle Boutique Resort is keeping its operational costs to a minimum by growing its own organic vegetables and operating a small poultry farm producing organic eggs – An ultimate combination of freshness and nature perhaps. I have spoken to a few other hoteliers around the lake; they also have upcoming batches of visitors from abroad to add whatever little vibrancy they can to the destination. I also spoke to car leasing operators. All have downsized their operations and possessions for their continued survival. One such operator, Thura, has already sold off two of his vehicles and is now just operating with one car. He said he did not have a choice and knew no other way of earning a living now.
Adding to their despair is the deficient infrastructure, poor law and order and present high-security environment. Electricity supply has always been a shortcoming in Myanmar, but the situation is made worse by NNCP terrorist at tacks on electrical infrastructure and government despondency to implement any major infra projects during and after COVID-19. This is adding woes to the hotels as the first question most domestic tourists and local visitors typically ask would be, ‘Would there be a 24-hour electrical supply during my stay?’. Even in boutique hotels such as Ville Inle, which charges around $100 a night, the cost of running a generator to affect uninterrupted power supply would be set back by more than per night revenues from a couple of rooms. More so for larger hotels. With a significantly reduced number of visitors during this peak season, this is a promise that hotels simply cannot fulfill.
Recent shortages in fuel supply have all the hotels and other businesses scrambling to get limited supply at exorbitant prices, exacerbating operational losses for all wanting to put on a better show during this holiday season.
Political changes and anti-government activities have made the law and order situation worse, too. Even crooked villagers became more daring, attempting a variety of methods to extort money out of good businesses operating in and around Inn Lay.
The security situation all across the country is demanding the creation of barbicans and barricades at multiple junctions around Inn Lay, and this is forcing visitors and the general public to stay home after sunset. This is a stark contrast to lively night scenes as late as five years ago.
Can Inle survive?
Just like in war, speed is essential to survival. Speed of action, strategy and successful implantation. The difficulty here is not in individual attempts but in teamwork that involves government (ministries), businesses, media and private individuals from here and abroad, pushing the wheels of improvements into motion.
Government help is needed in infrastructure (especially electricity), security, nationwide promotions and convincing people to support local attractions. Businesses must also find innovative ways to promote, survive, and generate alternative income. Media assistance is most needed to reflect the truth about Myanmar, combat fake news that infected the minds of international visitors and prevent tourist arrivals en masse. Visitors from home and abroad must also adjust their expectations and increase their support for the local economy of Inle through spending on handicrafts and tours and enjoying longer vacations.
Without such efforts, the laggard attraction will continue to remain in the doldrums for many years to come. It may end up being in a slow death and becoming a desert of dejection and despair, doomed due to despondency from all stakeholders concerned.
Source- www.moi.gov.mm