Beautiful Buddhas in Bagan, Myanmar

Serene Buddha of Myanmar

This post is from 2012, just before President Obama traveled to Myanmar.

The Buddhists of Myanmar revere the ancient, sacred statues of Buddha found throughout Burma (aka Myanmar). A place to view towering and elegant statues of Buddha is in Bagan, Myanmar. Bagan is a 'must see' in Myanmar. It is not yet a UNESCO world heritage site....but hopefully one day it will be.

We traveled on a slow tourist boat  up the Irrawady river from Mandalay to Bagan. The trip was a full day. We boarded in Mandalay at dawn and arrived in Bagan after dark. We had made arrangements before-hand to be picked up at the landing site and taken to our hotel. This you must do in Myanmar. 

Many of the stunning, towering Buddhas of Bagan are covered in gold leaf. These are huge sculptures of Buddha, that have survived for hundreds of years in the protective stupas and temples of Bagan. 

The temples, monasteries, and pagodas of Bagan were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, when the ancient city was the capital of the region of Pagan, later to be known as Myanmar or Burma. 

Of the 10,000 original structures, just over 2000 remain.  This amazing sight is particularly gorgeous at dawn or sunset.

Placing gold leaf  on Buddha

“Know from the rivers in clefts and crevices: those in small channels flow noisily, the great flow silent. Whatever’s not full makes noise. Whatever is full is quiet.”
The Buddha

“A further sign of health is that we don't become undone by fear and trembling, but we take it as a message that it's time to stop struggling and look directly at what's threatening us. ” 
― Pema Chödrön, The Places that Scare You

Mudra - meaningful hand gestures

“nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know” 
― Pema Chödrön

One of four towering buddhas, facing four different directions

“When we protect ourselves so we won't feel pain, that protection becomes like armor, like armor that imprisons the softness of of the heart.” 
― Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

Revered

The Buddha statues of Bagan are magnificent. They tower, in their original halls of worship, so majestic and powerful, yet so gentle and kind. They loom large, but each one provides, through expression and mudra (hand gestures) teachings of the Buddha.

Bagan, Myanmar Sunrise.

Buddhist Monks in Bagan, Myanmar

See more beautiful Buddhas from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.

View beautiful Buddhas from Singapore

UNESCO World Heritage Cella Septichora, Early Christian Burial Site in Pecs, Hungary

UNESCO Early Christian Burial Site of Sopianae, Pecs, Hungary

 A few hours south by train from Budapest is Pecs, a cultural center of Hungary, a lovely medieval and modern university town with multi-cultural roots. It is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Early Christian Necropolis of Pecs.  This archaeological site is part of the ancient city of Sopianae, founded by the Romans almost two thousand years ago and once home to 10,000 people. The city of Pecs, with a population of 150,000, now completely overlays the ancient town of Sopianae.

Early Symbol of Christianity at Pecs

The Romans introduced Christianity to this part of Hungary and by 400 AD,  the trading center of Sopianae had a significant Christian population. Three ancient Christian burial grounds are just outside the old walled town of Sopianae. Here are tombs, numerous family burial chapels, monuments and mausoleums. This type of Christian burial site, with many grouped stone ceremonial buildings and chambers, was unique for this era in Europe. The well-preserved 1600 year old site is, therefore, historically important. 

From the town center in Pecs we easily walked to the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Cella Septichora, Early Christian Cemetery. The burial chambers excavated here, around the Szent Istvan Square, date back to the 4^th century.

Cella Septichora, Early Christian Cemetery, UNESCO World Heritage site at Pecs, Hungary

Early image of Mary?

                                                                                                   The UNESCO Center entrance is a low, concrete structure, nestled into the surrounding public plaza and steps. It's easy to miss. Once inside, descend below ground to the courtyard chamber, well-lit due to a glass roof that serves as the floor of the public square above. Through tunnels we ventured into deeper burial chambers with remnants of biblical frescoes and Christian and Roman imagery. 

In the two story barrel-vaulted Saint Peter and Paul Chamber, the Apostles point to an early Christian symbol of Jesus,  a circular Christogram with Greek letters. The garden of Eden and other biblical stories are depicted as well as a faded portrayal of a woman, possibly the Virgin Mary. It was fascinating to see these Christian images which were created only a few hundred years after the death of Christ. 

We later toured the nearby Mausoleum, with a large sarcophagus and 4th century images of Daniel and lions, and Eden. 

UNESCO World Heritage Site Cella Septichora, Early Christian Necropolis, Pecs, Hungary

Fresco in Saint Peter and Paul Chamber, UNESCO

This World Heritage site is well protected and beautifully displayed. It is one of the largest and best preserved early Christian burial grounds in Europe. We found it interesting, well-presented, reasonably priced and like most UNESCO World Heritage sites, invaluable for its preservation of human history and culture. In Pecs, be sure to seek it out. The Center is also used for current cultural events by the citizens of Pecs. The UNESCO site was closed on Mondays.

Apostles point to early Christian symbol of Jesus, UNESCO World Heritage, Pecs, Hungary

More information on the World Heritage Pecs site.

Pecs, Hungary - medieval roads

Pecs, Hungary, with temporary Leonardo da Vinci exhibit -the Horse.

Center Square of Pecs, Hungary

13 Travel Tips

Udaipur, India 

1. In your 'carry-on' take a change of clothes, medications, electronics, money, credit cards, passport, ID, travel documents and your camera. If your checked luggage is lost, you will survive.

    2.   Pack light, travel light. If you must shop for gifts, buy light, small items. In Budapest buy paprika; Thailand, silk scarves. Buy heavier items at the end of the trip. Shopping takes time, money and weighs you down. Resist.

3. Read up before you go to appreciate the cultural experience. Learn at minimum a few words of the local language, such as ‘thanks’ and ‘hello’. 

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Small plates in Bagan, Myanmar

    4.  As a pedestrian, be aware. Cross streets with the locals. Not every city is pedestrian friendly – some are downright hostile.

    5.  Beware the ‘soft’ scams. Even the most experienced travelers can be fooled. Don’t go with strangers who approach you on the street and don't take their advice. Make your own plans and stick to them.

    6. Use public transportation from the airport. Research this before you go and save cash and time. Singapore, Athens, Rome, London, Amsterdam, Paris  all have fast public transit from the airport. Sometimes your hotel can arrange for a pick up at the airport. This may be the best option in cities like Delhi or Hanoi. Ask your hotel for a good  local travel agent for day trips, too. Generally, they won’t steer you wrong.

    7.  Enjoy great food  as you travel, but use common sense.  Creamy foods should be cold, hot foods should be hot, not lukewarm. Take medications to combat diarrhea, constipation and vomiting.  

Shopping in Udaipur, India

 8. Arrive early. Check departure times and departure locations. Where is the train station or bus depot? Leave enough time. 

    9.   Buy a good guide book. E-readers are fine for reading indoors, but not great as 'on the street' travel guides. They are hard to read in daylight and difficult to flip through when on the street. 

       10. In the tropics, stay cool. Get a room with air conditioning. You will need it to get a good sleep. Mosquitoes? Tuck the mosquito net under the mattress really well! Cover up and wear bug repellent. 

View from the hotel room in Delhi.

11. Resist riding on motorcycles or mopeds. We have encountered MANY injured travelers. Thinking of deep sea diving, or para-sailing? Safety is not always a priority on the tourist beach.   CAUTION!  Is the equipment truly safe, is the training excellent, is the company reputable, are you insured for injury?

     
    12.  Buy medical travel insurance.You think you are healthy and nothing will happen to you? Maybe not, but maybe so. Get your shots before you travel, too.

   13.  Keep your valuables secure on your person. Zip them up.