미얀마 버마족의 생활 리듬과 불교

It has often been said that Myanmar is the most profoundly Buddhist country in the world. That may well be true. But the brand of Buddhism practised in this isolated land is unique on the face of the globe. Myanmar Buddhism, theoretically, is Theravada Buddhism, that sect of Buddhism adhering most closely to the Buddha’s teaching, and is the dominant form of Buddhism throughout Southeast Asia. The most important moment in the life of a young Burmese boy is his Shinbyu, namely, his initiation as a novice in the order of monks. Until a Buddhist has gone through the Shinbyu ceremony, he is regarded as no better than an animal. To become ‘human’, he must for a time withdraw from secular life, following the example set forth by the Buddha when he left his family to seek enlightenment, and later by the Buddha’s own young son. Unlike his illustrious predecessors, the novice monk will probably carry his alms bowl for a short period, then return to his normal life style. But his time spent as a monk, studying Buddhist scriptures and strictly following the code of discipline, makes him a dignified human being. During the period between his ninth and twelfth birthdays, a boy is deemed ready to wear the saffron-coloured robes of the Sangha and become a ‘son of the Buddha’. If his parents are very pious, they may arrange to have the Shinbyu staged on the full moon day of Wazou, the beginning of the Buddhist Lent. This arrangement ensures that the novice can remain in the monastery throughout the entire rainy season, until Lent ends with the Festival of Light in October. Buddhism is a spiritual prop and stay of Burmese peoples like this.