http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2053388-myanmar26-sagaing/

Sagaing was the capital of Sagaing Kingdom (1315–1364), one of the minor kingdoms that rose up after the fall of Pagan dynasty. During the Ava period (1364–1555), the city was the common fief of the crown prince or senior princes. The city briefly became the royal capital between 1760 and 1763 in the reign of King Naungdawgyi.On August 8, 1988, Sagaing was the site of demonstrations which were concluded by a massacre in which around 300 civilians were killed.

Located on the Ayeyarwady River, 20 km to the southwest of Mandalay on the opposite bank of the river, Sagaing with numerous Buddhist monasteries is an important religious and monastic center. The central pagoda, Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, is connected by a set of covered staircases that run up the 240 m hill.

The pagodas and monasteries crowd the numerous hills along the ridge running parallel to the river.

Soon U Ponya Shin pagoda has the best view of Sagaing Hill and other pagodas in the surrounding area of Sagaing Hill

Large temple bells in every temple are highly regarded – they are struck three times at the end of personal spiritual practice as an invitation for all to share in the good fortune accumulated and others show their approval by declaring thadu, thadu, thadu, which means well done, well done, well done.

Tiled floor of eastern terrace

Everywhere small shrines or spirit houses dedicated to Nats

Royal Poinciana Flower

Nuns walking around the crescent shaped collonade of Soon U Ponya Sin Paya

This temple is found on Nga-pha (frog) hill, one of the southern hilltops of Sagaing Hill.

Myanmar chronology defines 8 days in a week, which Wednesday is being divided in two: morning, and evening. The Burmese zodiac employs eight signs in a seven-day week, with each sign representing its own day, cardinal direction, planet (celestial body) and animal.

TuesdayThe LionPlanet: MarsSoutheast

Monday The TigrePlanet: MoonEast

The day that one has born is the most important in daily life in Myanmar. Every individual soul is being named after the day that he or she has born. Thus in Myanmar history there is no generation hand down by the family name since Myanmar does not carry family names.

Friday The Guinea PigPlanet: VenusNorth

SundayGaruda (Mythical bird)Planet: SunNortheast

Wednesday p.m. Tuskless elephant Planet: RahuNorthwest

For example if you were born on Monday and are named Maung Kyi Win, that doesn't mean that your name is Maung and your family name is Kyi Win, but it is simply because that you were born on Monday of the week. Thus your other family member may born different days of the week and all will have different names in possess.

SundayGaruda (Mythical bird)Planet: SunNortheast

Friday The Guinea PigPlanet: VenusNorth

Myanmar strongly believe in astrology and the day you born is playing a major factor to tell your fate, match making, business dealing, house whole building, in worse case to buy a car or to apply a job, Myanmar do consult with astrologer or Buddhist Monks who then refer to your birth day to tell you the do's and don'ts.

Wednesday a.m. Tusked elephant Planet: MercurySouth

Monday The TigrePlanet: MoonEast

SundayGaruda (Mythical bird) Planet: SunNortheast

According to their traditional astronomy, there are 8 days in a week.The trick is the very middle part of a week, 'Wednesday evening' is called "Yarhu". However Yarhu is not considered as a significant day of week and it is not printed in the calendars.

Thursday Rat Planet: JupiterWest

Saturday Naga (Dragon)Planet: SaturnSouth West

Wednesday a.m. Tusked elephant Planet: MercurySouth

Myanmar Astrology recognizes the seven planets, namely Sun, Mon, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. In addition, it recognizes two other planets, Rahu and Kate.

The Sunday, Tuesday, Saturday and Rahu planets are considered to be Malefics, or planets with an evil influence while the Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday planets are considered Benefics, or planets with benign influence.

Thursday Rat Planet: JupiterWest

Saturday Naga (Dragon)Planet: SaturnSouth West

Wednesday p.m. Tuskless elephant Planet: RahuNorthwest(tusk less elephants are believed to be more powerful than elephant with tusk)

The basic belief of Myanmar Astrology is that the planets mould a man's fate. The planet of a man's birthday will be the main guardian of his fate, but at each particular period of a man's life a particular planet throws upon him its baneful or its beneficial influence. For example, at one period of his life he will be under the influence of Saturn and ill-fortune will befall him, but at another period he will be under the influence of Venus and good fortune will result. Thus the ebb and flow of a man's fortune depends on the paths in the sky of the planets

Wednesday p.m. Tuskless elephant Planet: RahuNorthwest

Thursday Rat Planet: JupiterWest

Sagaing, which was the capital of Shan kingdom from 1315 to 1364, when the grandson of its founder moved the capital to Inwa (or Ava). It is reputed for its 500 stupas and monasteries, which house about 6000 monks and nuns.

Sagaing New Pagoda, Nunnary

International Buddhist Academy

International Buddhist Academy

International Buddhist Academy

International Buddhist Academy

International Buddhist Academy,

Scholars from all over the world

come to University to

study Buddhist scriptures and

practice.

Myanmar is trying to position itself as the quintessential Buddhist country worldwide. The sheer amount of temples helps to perpetuate this view. It's not strange therefore, to extend special long-term visas for people practising meditation here, or that they have created an International Buddhist University (Sitagu International Buddhist Academy)

In the centre of the university there is a curious pagoda, which unlike many others that I've seen, has offices inside it. Surrounding the stupa there are small compartments where you can find exhibitions of photographs, always with Buddhist themes.

Sagaing hill

Located on the Ayeyarwady River, 20 km to the southwest of Mandalay on the opposite bank of the river, Sagaing with numerous Buddhist monasteries is an important religious and monastic center.

Lunchtime, Nunnary

Lunchtime, Nunnary

Lunchtime, Nunnary

Past & Future Buddhas, New Pagoda, Nunnary Nat

Bamboo Buddha Pagoda, Nunnary

The Irrawaddy Bridge is a bridge in Sagaing. It crosses the Irrawaddy River, to the southwest of Mandalay and Amarapura and just to the north of the old Ava Bridge, and is also known as the New Ava Bridge. It was completed in 2008. It has total span of 5,614 feet (1,711 m) long and has a four-lane motorway of 49 feet (15 m) width with pedestrian lanes of 6 feet (1.8 m) wide on the flanks. It is designed for a carrying capacity of 60 tons.

Ava Bridge

Text: Internet

Pictures: Sanda Foişoreanu & Internet

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound Burma Traditional Music