Jehan's love affair with Burmese art and Buddha images dates back to when her father was posted to Burma (Myanmar). Forging a strong bond with the then curator of the Burmese museum, a relationship which continues to the present, Jehan is able to source and certify authentic, quality Buddha images and religious artefacts. She cautioned that there were many fakes, especially from Thailand.

Spiced with information gleaned from 25 plus years of experience and expertise in Asian and oriental antiques, Jehan led the group from one stunning Buddha image to another – Burmese, Cambodian, Laotian and Thai – explaining the evolution of its depiction over the centuries, and how it differs from country to country.

Buddhist Art

Jehan pointed out that Buddhist art originated in the Indian subcontinent in the centuries following the life, death and eventual ultimate state of nirvana of the historical Prince Siddhartha/Gautama Buddha* . (*The date of birth and death are unclear, but most modern scholars have him living between 563 BCE* and 483 BCE)

*BCE ='Before the Common Era'– is eventually expected to replace BC ('Before Christ) '. BC and BCE mean the same.

Jehan also pointed out that although there are examples of Buddha images in caves that pre-dated temples back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, most scholars define two approximate periods of Buddhist art: the Aniconic or pre-iconic phase – avoiding direct representations of the Buddha (5th to 1st century BCE) and the Iconic phase – with direct representations of the Buddha(1st century CE* to the present).

*CE ='Common Era' sometimes known as the 'Current Era' – a relatively new term eventually expected to replace AD ('Anno Domini' in Latin, or 'the year of the Lord' in English) referring to year 1 as the traditional birth date of Jesus Christ). CE and AD is also interchangeable - 2006 CE = 2006 AD

Iolanda Capodonna

The country's history goes back to the 9th century when the Mramma people came from the China-Tibet border areas. They became powerful controlling the trade routes between China and India. The years between 1084 and 1113 were the Golden Age and the great era of pagoda building began.

Myanmar has been ruled by the Mongol, British and Japan. It gained its independence in 1948 from the British. It is today ruled by the military junta and has one of the worst human rights records. Nearly 700,000 Myanmarese live illegally or as refugees in Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India.

Other facts:

- It is the second largest producer of opium in the world.
- Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 10 years under house arrest.
- One third of Burmese children are chronically malnourished or physically stunted
- Of its population of 49 million people, 70% live in rural areas.

The people of Myanmar.

They are made up of 8 national races with the Bamars, Shan, Mon, Kayin, Kayah Kavah, Chin, Kachin and Rakhaing. The Government then further divides them into 67 sub groups. Bamar, who are 65 percent, make up the majority of the population.

Sunita took a four day trekking trip on her own as she felt she needed some time to herself. Her trek took her to several villages like Kalaw-Shadaw, Shwe Min Phne, the Shin Min Phone Wah Gyi Myaung and Khaung Daing. All names sounded so exotic.

She and her guide bought their food and water and the meals were cooked by the person in whose house she stayed in each night. She became a part of their family and after a tired day just slept on the mat rolled out for her in their simple homes which don't have furniture. The people lead a simple life and are devout Buddhists.

The simple villagers love having their photos taken and always put on their best clothes. The life is very rural, typically Asian where the women work in the fields and the rice paddies. Sunita even joined in helping some women who were cutting rice. Very brave as they only use scythes.

Schools are being built by the UN. They are the 3 rd most illiterate in Asia.

Trees mark the beginning of the villages. Pot making is one way they make a living. We were then shown slides about a mixture of Sunita's previous visits to Myanmar, along with some details about the country.

The government renamed the country Myanmar but the people still call it Burma. It is a Buddhist country very safe to visit where visitors are warmly welcomed.

The Burmese follow the Theravada Buddhists which follows most closely to the Buddha's teachings.

Yangon the new name for Rangoon has the golden dome which dominates the city. It rises 98 metres above its base. Mandalay used to be the old capital and has a beautiful teak bridge. Mingun is 11km up river from Mandalay and is accessible only by river. The mingun Bell is the largest uncracked bell in the world and weighs 90 tons.

We saw slides of Bagan where between 1057 and 1287 some 13,000 temples, pagodas and other religious structures were built on this vast plain. I think all this has made us realise that Myanmar should be our next holiday destination!

Thank you Sunita for the lovely informative morning.

Elise Hill