Page 404 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

402 CONTEXTS Glossary
Pahto Temple (used mainly in Bagan in reference to Taung Mountain
“hollow” temples) Taw/daw Suffix (as in, for instance, Naypyitaw),
Pali Extinct Indian language in which most of signifying somewhere sacred or royal
Buddhism’s oldest scriptures were first recorded – Tazaung Pavilion-style shrine
the Buddhist equivalent to Hebrew in Christianity or Temptation of Mara Popular subject of Buddhist
Sanskrit in Hinduism art, showing hordes of monsters unleashed by the
Palm leaf Used as an alternative to paper thanks to demon Mara attempting to distract Buddha at the
its greater durability in the tropics, with dried leaves moment of his enlightenment
bound together into long, narrow books Thabeik Alms bowl
Parinirvana mudra Traditional mudra showing Thanaka General-purpose Burmese powder/paste
the reclining Buddha at the moment of entering used as all-in-one make-up, sunscreen and insect
nirvana repellent
Paya Temple (literally, the Burmese word for “pagoda”) Thein Ordination hall
Pwè Festival Theravada The older of the two main schools of
Pyatthat Southeast Asian-style multi-tiered roof Buddhism and the dominant form of the religion in
Pyigyimun Royal barge Myanmar
Pyissaya Stupa terraces Thingyan Water festival celebrating the Buddhist
Ramayana famous Hindu epic describing the life of New Year
Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu Tripitaka The main collection of Buddhist scriptures
Samadhi mudra See dhyani mudra Trishaw Cycle rickshaw (although sometimes used to
Sangha The worldwide community of Buddhist monks describe motorized vehicles as well)
Saopha A “sky lord” – the hereditary rulers of the Shan U “Mr” or “uncle”
peoples USDP Union Solidarity and Development Party
Sariputra One of Buddha’s disciples Varada mudra See dana mudra
Sayadaw Abbot Viss Burmese unit of weight (equivalent to 1.6kg)
Shikhara Indian-style temple tower Vitarka mudra “Gesture of Explanation” – one of the
Shinbyu Ceremony marking induction of young boys traditional Buddhist mudras
into the Sangha Weizza (weikza) Burmese Buddhist cult dedicated to
Shwe Golden magical practices and beliefs
SLORC State Law and Order Restoration Council Yadaya Quasi-magical rituals prescribed by astrologers
SPDC State Peace and Development Council to ward off misfortune (see box, p.388)
Stupa Buddhist monument found in most Burmese Yama Zatdaw Burmese version of the Ramayana
temples Yoma Mountain range
Sutra Buddhist (or Hindu) religious text Zaungdan Stairway
Taik Library Zawgyi Alchemist/magician
Tatmadaw The Burmese Armed Forces, comprising Zedi Stupa
army, navy, air force and police Zei Market

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