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pagoda
ICH Elements 3
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Mokjogakjang (Wood Sculpture)
National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Mokjogakjang refers to the skill of wood sculpture or to an artisan with such a skill. Among the woods commonly used for this skill is paulownia, pine, fir, gingko, zelkova and pagoda wood. It is presumed that wood sculpture started on the Korean Peninsula, mostly on temples and Buddha images, with the introduction of Buddhism during the Three Kingdoms Period (circa 57 BC – 668 AD). Many of these wood sculpture works were destroyed during the frequent foreign invasions suffered by Korea. As for the process of wood sculpture production, first a sketch is made on well-dried wood and the remaining parts are cut off. When a rough form is made, the inside is gouged out to prevent cracks or to make a space for inserting ancillary objects according to the custom. Lacquer is applied to the completed object.
South Korea -
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda Festival
Held on February 14 every year, in honor of the death anniversary of Truc Lam's three ancestors, Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Huyen Quang. Monks, nuns and Buddhists burn incense, chant sutras, and recite Buddha's name in the three treasures, the first and second ancestral houses. At the same time, we also invite bells to propagate the Buddha's teachings in the early morning and evening of the day. From the 13th day of the 2nd lunar month, tourists from all over the world have gathered to the temple. Most of the visitors to the pagoda are the elderly, young men and women, and teenagers. Interspersed in it, the village's cultural teams performed the temple ruins. The Chuc Lam Patriarchate at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda were three people: Giac Hoang Dieu Ngu Tran Nhan Tong, Zen Master Phap Loa and Zen Master Huyen Quang.
Viet Nam -
Côn Sơn Festival
Con Son Pagoda Festival is held from January 15 to 22 every year. Con Son festival originates from the death anniversary of Zen master Huyen Quang (January 22, 1334) - the third ancestor of Truc Lam Zen sect, a Zen sect with the idea of national self-reliance. King Tran Minh Tong gave the field to worship and built the dharma ancestor behind the pagoda, specializing the Tu Thap "Huen Quang false venerable". The traditional festival is held at Con Son pagoda with rituals bearing the imprint of Buddhism. The ritual sequence includes: incense offering ceremony to open the festival on January 16; the procession of water and carpentry is an important ritual of the Con Son festival taking place on the morning of January 16; The Mong Son giving food ceremony took place on the evening of January 17 at the courtyard of Con Son pagoda. The Mong Son alms-giving group includes: the main organ and the altar for making offerings to the Buddha. This ritual has been successfully restored in the project of upgrading Con Son - Kiep Bac festival in the period 2006 - 2010; The sacrifice to heaven and earth on Ngu Nhac mountain: takes place on the morning of January 17 at Trung Nhac temple, on Ngu Nhac mountain, performed by magicians. In addition to Buddhist rituals, folklore activities in the Con Son pagoda festival are also diverse and attractive with their own characteristics such as fairy swings, calligraphy, wrestling, quan ho singing...
Viet Nam
Open Archive 2
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Myanmar Thanakha
Myanmar women adore Thanakha for its sweet fragrance. The botanical name of Thanakha is Hesperethusa Crenulata (ROXB.) ROEM. Thanakha plant or branch is cut into small sizes about 6 or 4 inches. If we grind Thanakha bark with a little water on a circular stone slab called "Kyauk Pyin", we will get a milky yellow liquid or Thanakha paste. Myanmar women usually apply Thanakha paste on their faces and hands and some prefer wearing the whole body.The practice of Thanakha culture has existed in Myanmar society since yore. Thanakha is still preserved as Myanma cultural tradition till today. Thanakha and "Kyauk Pyin" are inseparable. "Kyauk Pyin" is the circular shape of sand stone slab and its surface is elevated in the middle and there is a channel around the rim for the paste to drain into. Kyauk Pyin and Thanakha are essential for the practice of Thanakha culutre in Myanmar society. People use Thanakha for beauty but also for medicinal purpose. Sweet fragrant Thanakha paste is used for cleansing the face of Buddha Image. As Myanmar saying goes:"Mee Phone Hlu Pwe, Tabodwe", the scented bonfire festival is also held by burning Thanakha woods to offer warmth to the Lord Buddha in Myanmar month Tabodwe which falls in February. Because of extreme cold weather in Tabodwe, the scented bonfire or "Mee Phone Pwe" is held in the pagoda precinct with great devotion. In some areas, Thanakha-based cultural festival, "Thanakha Par Toe Pwe" is also held with great traditions. Ethnic women from the hills and the plains across Myanmar cherish and value Thanakha. Both men and women alike have been using Thanakha paste because of its cool sensation and positive effects. In addition that some put extra patch on their cheeks to protect from burning heat of the sun. The farmers and farm girls could get sweaty for working long hours in the field but they always feel fresh because of soothing effect of Thanakha fragrance. That is why Thanakha is the favourite of farmers and workers."Kyauk Pyin" and Thanakha wood can be found in every Myanmar household. Parents wear Thanakha to their offsprings. Likewise, uncles, aunts, elder brothers and sisters used to wear Thanakha to their young nieces, nephews as well as younger brothers and sisters. The farm girls and construction workers used to wear Thanakha paste very thickly for beauty but also for preventing the sunburn.The Thanakha growers and producers are also vital role in this element. Since ancient times, Thanakha culture has been preserving and practicing in Myanmar society. In Mynmar families, the tradition of wearing Thanakha is handed down from generation to generation. The parents, elder brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts never fail to put on Thanakha to young daughters and sons, nieces and nephews. While smearing Thanakha paste on the face, the mother also feeds fragrant residue to her baby. Thanakha plays a crucial role in the daily life of Myanmar people. In Myanmar family, the mother showers her infant baby and introduces Thanakha while praying the Lord to protect her baby from harms and dangers. The mother smears the wet paste of Thanakha on the kid’s forehead and later on both cheeks. The mother also feeds Thanakha paste to her baby which can protect chicken pox and measles. Because of the cool and pleasant Thanakha fragrance and the mother’s endless love, the baby feels great warmth and comfort. While applying Thanakha, the elders teach young children about the importance of good manners, ethics and moral values. Psychologically, Thanakha has positive effects for good concentration enhancing the power of wisdom and memory. Among seasonal festivals, the scented bonfire festival is held where fragrant Thanakha and sandal woods are burnt to provide warmth to the Lord Buddha with great devotion. Such kind of Thanakha-based festival has been holding on the Full Moon Day of Myanmar month Tapodwe which falls in February. Moreover, Thanakha is also used for the washing rituals performed at Mandalay Mahamuni Buddha Temple and such offering of Thanakha paste is renowned as the cultural values of Myanmar society. For fun and friendship, young people do whisking Thanakha paste on the cheeks of young visitors with great traditions in Yaw area.Thanakha is also used for Myanmar traditional medicine. Thanakha is common across Myanmar including the hills and the plains so also the rural and urban areas.Thanakha had long been used as atrditional cosmetic by Myanmar people and recently found ways to foreign market. Thanakha is the part and parcel of Myanmar culture. The paste of Thanakha is beloved to a diverse array of ethnicities and religion. Thanakha is worn by people of all ages, men and women alike, whether rich or poor. The practice of Myanmar Thanakha culture is for skin care, for beauty, to protect the sunburn so also as the traditional medicine. Thanakha is used at traditional festivals, social rituals and religious ceremonies. Although Thanakha wearing is common among people of all ages, women use for beauty and men use for skin care.
Myanmar -
Rakhine traditional "Kyin" Wrestling
The word 'Kyin' is derived from 'Kyar-hlyin' (fast moving – tiger) to "kyin". According to Rakhine historical records the strong Kyin wrestlers were selected by the king to row war-fare boats.Kyin wrestling contest were held at the religious ceremony, pagoda festivals, cremation ceremony of monks and harvest time.
Myanmar