Burmese journeys here and back

I have had a number of encounters with Burmese friends (new and old) while staying here in the USA. These connections have been a touchstone for reminding me that many of us share travelling and migration experiences. But there is also the unique quality of coming from Burma with its rich history and melange of cultures including ethnic Burmese, Chinese and Indian cultures.

There have been varying reasons for Burmese migration. In World War 2 it was a forced exodus in which many undertook gruelling treks from Burma into India. Many survived. Many did not. Later, came different waves of migration to the USA and Australia - many wishing to escape for various reasons - the military rule, endemic corruption, the promise of better economic circumstances and the hope of more freedom. Aung San Suu Kyi - is the post-war embodiment of how Burmese people have continued to peacefully press for freedom in their home country. After 15 years of house arrest in Burma Aung San Suu Kyi is now running for the Presidency even though she is constitutionally currently prevented from doing so. Here's a picture of her I snaffled from a newspaper.

My first first Burmese connection in the USA was through my friend Noreen who migrated many moons ago with her Mum and siblings to the USA. Together we (Shelley, Noreen and I) visited a travelling exhibition of Burmese photos from the 1850s taken by a British East India Company surveyor and photographer - Linnaeus Tripe. For Noreen it was the first opportunity to 'see' places she had visited as a child. That's big! Here is Noreen standing in front of a gigantic and iconic photo of Gautama Buddha in Amerapoora.

I had an antique postcard picture of this giant Buddha in my hands for a number of years - I was always intrigued that a Buddha could be that humongous - now I know where it was taken and by whom! Here's a photo of Shelley and Noreen at the exhibition.

My second Burmese connection happened here through my volunteer hospice work - where I had the wonderful opportunity to meet a Burmese family who invited me today to accompany them to their Burmese Temple for the ceremony for their Mum, who had died a month earlier. Two resident Burmese monks conducted the ceremony. It was moving and heart-warming to be there - not that I understand a word of Burmese of course! But there was a felt-sense of caring and kindness. Here is some of the family with the monks and a picture of the larger space (vihara).

And where would one be without the generosity of dana - food offering- after the ceremony was over. Here is the food blessing being conducted by the monks who with community muscle literally lifted the table up. I was at a smaller table that required less lifting!

And of course the food was wonderful - and everyone was so generous and kind in that place of offering and partaking of home-cooked food. We all tucked in. Here's a piccy - including a close-up of this amazing Burmese mango chutney. This picture is for Virginia in Australia who was my first 'first' Burmese connection. Do you have a recipe for this mango chutney Virginia? I bet Virginia and Noreen have had many Burmese mango chutney moments. I just had my first. Of course now I'm on a mission to track down the recipe!

Here is me with a senior temple member. Many Burmese under the British period of colonization in Burma were given English names as a consequence of being schooled at English 'Church' schools. The Burmese names are so much richer in meaning than the English appellations. I guess some of my ancestors could have ended up as 'British' in Burma - but they ended up in New Zealand instead - looking for gold, selling cattle and sheep, running rooming houses and railway stations. But that's another story.

Thank you to my new friends who invited me to their spiritual home in the West which included meditation classes if I wish. One can't have enough meditation. As it was pointed out to me more than once by the Venerable Monk I met and new friends - meditation is everything we do - walking, talking, eating and not just sitting! I have some way to go...