My friend Toke Toe has been reminding me of what I have forgotten about Burma and its Festivals.
She is also teaching me some new information.
Today is Mother's Day in Burma thanks to U Thu Kha who proposed and initiated this National Day.
Also on On Pyar tho full moon day, pilgrims and villagers would arrive at the Ananda Pagoda Festival in Bagan to make donations to the reverent monks.
The full moon is significant is Buddhism because Buddha was born on a full moon. Also his Renunciation and his Enlightenment are on full moon days.
In Burma, Pyar tho (January) full moon is considered the coldest day and the last day of the cold season.
Here is U Thu Kha's writing on Mothers and our rough translation.
Mother
No matter who said the world is started by Adam and Eve
or the Four Wordly Guardians or Four Great King Nats,
without women and mothers,
we would not have any successive generations of
sons/daughters and grandchildren.
I also thought about the wall hanging in my room at the Chanmyay Phawbi Meditation center.
It roughly translated to
No one can Replace you Mother
Mother, you carried me in your womb for 9 months and I was born on the tenth month.
You taught me when I was young, and guided me to the right path.
You stood by me no matter what the situation was.
Mother! Mother! No one can replace you!
How true and Many thanks to U Thu Kha to remind us to celebrate Mothers and womanhood!