Chapter 912: Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
Since Fang You and Liu Yuanshan have already completed all the formalities through their respective relationships, including visas to Myanmar, there is no need to go to Kunming first and apply for visas through the Myanmar Embassy in Kunming, as others do.
They booked a ticket directly from Tianhai to Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, just because the new capital of Myanmar, Naypyidaw, has just started construction in the past few years, and there is no international flight service at all, so they have to transfer from Yangon, which can't help but make Fang You feel extremely inconvenient.
Since the Burmese government discovered the huge interests of jadeite and established the jade market, almost every jade market will be held in its capital, one is to ensure security, except for the capital, the government's control is very weak in other places, and second, to improve the economic level of the capital.
Burma's capital was originally in Yangon, near the coast, but a few years ago, without warning, the Burmese military junta ordered a number of government departments to relocate to Naypyidaw, 600 kilometers from Yangon, within a day.
According to the analysis of sources, this is because the Myanmar military junta is worried that Yangon, which is located on the coast, will be attacked by Tie Lijian, so it ordered it to be relocated to the inland area.
Some people also say that this is a repeat of the ancient king's habit of moving the capital by the Burmese military government, but in any case, the capital of Myanmar was moved to Naypyidaw, which is an undeniable fact, so since then, the location of the Emerald Fair every year has changed from Yangon to the current Naypyidaw.
However, the infrastructure of Naypyidaw is very poor, and even the telephone communication service has only been opened in the last two years, so it can be said that in addition to the existence of the Myanmar government, this is a three-nil area.
As a result, the Myanmar military government has put the key to driving the economy of Naypyidaw on the jade market, hoping to make Naypyidaw prosperous by relying on every jade market.
Myanmar is the world's largest jadeite producer, and every public sale will attract jewelry companies and gambling stone players from all over the world, which will greatly stimulate the economy of the capital, forming a virtuous circle, making the capital slowly become prosperous.
The remaining jadeite producing areas such as Kazakhstan, as well as a mountain range in Tilijian, including small island countries, also have some jadeite deposits, but compared to Myanmar, it can be said that it is like a drop in the bucket, and their jadeite deposits, all mined, can not meet their own year's jadeite demand, not to mention the huge gap in quality.
Therefore, Myanmar has become the world's only high-grade and commercial jadeite production area, it is precisely because of this uniqueness that Myanmar every public market, can attract thousands of people to come, Huaxia's Pingzhou public market is also learned from Myanmar, it can be seen that the Myanmar government is very far-sighted in this regard.
After a few hours of flying journey, Fang You and Liu Yuanshan arrived in the seaside city of Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, which can be said to be the political, cultural and economic center of the whole of Myanmar.
Although Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar, but compared with other large cities in Southeast Asia, it is still not prosperous enough, except for the central city of Yangon, other urban areas are very poor and backward, Myanmar has been listed by the United Nations as one of the least developed countries in the world, especially the Western countries led by Tie Lijian have been imposing economic sanctions on Myanmar, so that the Myanmar government has developed the economy for many years, but has not yet made the country out of the economic trough.
After Fang You and Liu Yuanshan arrived in Yangon, they did not rush to Naypyidaw by car, but played around in Yangon City.
Compared to some cities in China, Yangon can be said to be a huge park, full of plants, flowers and pagodas, Fang You took a deep breath, feeling that the air here is very fresh, but the road is in tatters, as if the car driving from the scrap yard, he can't help but smile helplessly.
Before coming to Myanmar, he had learned some of the history of Myanmar, which had been difficult to import due to Western blockades, most of which were decades old.
Because of these predicaments, the Myanmar military government is more dependent on the annual jade market, so they have invested huge manpower and material resources to build a trading square used to hold the market, in the hope that the jade market can pull the whole of Myanmar out of the predicament.
"Xiaoyou, see the big pagoda in front of no, this is the symbol of Myanmar, but also a great holy place of Buddhism, see the golden light that flashes on it, no doubt, this is all gold, the base of this big pagoda is more than 400 meters in circumference, the eaves of the top of the tower are hung with more than 1,000 golden bells, silver bells for more than 400 years, and inlaid with more than 7,000 kinds of rare red, sapphire diamond balls, one of which is a famous diamond weighing 76 carats."
"The golden tower has been gilded many times, and the gold on it weighs more than 7,000 kilograms, which is completely piled up with gold." Liu Yuanshan looked at the golden Shwedagon Pagoda in the distance and said with some emotion.
Listening to Liu Yuanshan's introduction, Fang You couldn't help but look at the golden pagoda in the distance with some dumbfounded, more than 7,000 kilograms of gold, this is just a joke, if calculated according to the current domestic gold price, this is more than 7,000 kilograms, enough to be 1.8 billion yuan, this is a tower that is completely piled up with money, according to what Liu Yuanshan said, those golden and silver bells, and more than 7,000 gems, the value of this tower has gone against the sky.
Fang You felt that no matter how rich he was now, no matter how much he regarded money as a number, he didn't have the courage to build such a golden pagoda.
"Xiaoyou, there are a lot of monks on this street are going in the direction of the Golden Pagoda, maybe today is the pilgrimage day, I heard that the reason for the construction of this Golden Pagoda is because in ancient times, there was a famine in India, and a pair of brothers in Myanmar transported a boatload of rice to the disaster relief, and finally when they came back from India, they brought back eight Buddha's hairs, and with the help of the dynasty at that time, the Shwedagon Pagoda was established."
"I've been here a few times before, but I didn't catch the pilgrimage day, only on the pilgrimage day, the hair of the Buddha in the Shwedagon Pagoda will be invited out to accept the offerings of the pilgrims, Xiaoyou, maybe we can be lucky enough to see the hair of the Buddha today, go quickly." Saying that, Liu Yuanshan couldn't help but pull Fang You towards the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Fang You shook his head helplessly, and said with a smile: "Uncle Liu, we have all seen the Buddha's true body relics, and we are still in a hurry to see the Buddha's hair, not to mention, the Buddha's relics were still found in your shop, you can have the skill of protecting the Dharma." ”
"Also protect the Dharma, if it weren't for you, this Buddha relics are probably still in the corner, no one cares, the relics are the objects left after the Buddha's cremation, and these eight Buddha hairs may be the Buddha's uncremated body parts left in the world, it is worth seeing." Liu Yuanshan shook his head and said with a sigh.
If it weren't for Fang You, the Buddha's relics would not have been discovered at all, and it would be almost the same to say that he was a tyrannical celestial thing, and he was not qualified to protect the Dharma at all.
Hearing Liu Yuanshan's words, Fang You nodded, although there were hair relics after the Buddha's cremation, but after all, they were remnants after cremation, and these eight hairs were extremely complete, Fang You felt that he should take a look, and maybe he could absorb some gray air currents from them.
From the relics of the Buddha after cremation, there is a huge gray air current, this Buddha's real body hair, I don't know how much gray air flow will be in it.
So, Fang You and Liu Yuanshan called a taxi and went to the Shwedagon Pagoda, when the tattered car that kept making noise stopped in front of them, Fang You couldn't help but remember that when he got the escape technique and returned to Wuyang, Wang Hao went to the station to pick up the car he was driving.
Even if it was a car that didn't have any other seats except for driving, it was stronger than the current one, Fang You really doubted that if he got into this car, would it fall apart directly halfway through, and then fall to the ground.
"Xiaoyou, sit on it, there are very few cars in Myanmar, I have sat a few times when I participated in the public market, except for hot spots, there is nothing else, there will be no car accidents." As if knowing Fang You's worries, Liu Yuanshan said with a smile.
Fang You smiled bitterly and nodded, Wang Hao's broken car didn't sit last time, but today he drove a meat dish in Myanmar and got into a taxi, Liu Yuanshan explained to the driver in English where they were going, the driver smiled, replied a few words in English, and then started the car, only to hear the car make a rattle and drive forward.
Just a few minutes after getting into the car, Liu Yuanshan felt that the sweat was falling like rain, he couldn't help but look at Fang You, and when he was about to comfort Fang You for a few words, he saw Fang You sitting on the seat as usual, and not a little sweat on his forehead did not flow out, "Xiaoyou, I'm so hot, why don't you sweat at all." ”
Fang You looked at Liu Yuanshan's embarrassed appearance like taking a sauna, and couldn't help laughing, "Uncle Liu, you also know that I have practiced Tai Chi, and what I pay attention to is peace of mind and self-cultivation, so this hot environment can't cause me too much trouble." ”
Liu Yuanshan's face was bitter, but he forgot that Fang You was still a Tai Chi master, and he was worried that Fang You would be hot just now, but now it seems that he should worry about himself.
"Uncle Liu, if it's hot, lean close to me." Fang You said with a smile, there was a gray air flow circulating in his body, and no matter how hot the environment was, it was the same as usual.
Liu Yuanshan looked at the small car space and hesitated, "No need, it's just a few minutes, I can hold on." ”
A few minutes later, the car finally arrived near the Shwedagon Pagoda, when the car stopped, Liu Yuanshan didn't have time to watch the Shwedagon Pagoda, and directly slipped out of the car, and suddenly felt extremely cool, Fang You asked the price in English, took out some dollars and handed them to the driver, and then slowly stepped out of the car.
In the distance, the golden light is shining, and when he comes closer, Fang You can feel the majesty of this Shwedagon Pagoda even more, its shape is not like the Huaxia Pagoda layer after layer, but like an upside-down golden bell, he now finally understands how magnificent Liu Yuanshan said that the circumference of the base of the Golden Pagoda is more than 400 meters.
This location is not only the Shwedagon Pagoda building, but also dozens of small pagodas arched around the tower, which are of different shapes and sizes, and look like different shapes, this huge pagoda complex brings a powerful shock to almost everyone.
At this moment, there are also many monks wearing red robes walking towards the golden pagoda with their hands together.
Liu Yuanshan stepped forward to inquire that today was indeed the pilgrimage day of the local Buddhism in Myanmar, which couldn't help but make him very excited, because on the pilgrimage day, they could really see the eight hairs of the Buddha.
These eight hairs were brought back by the pair of Burmese brothers from more than 500 years BC, and have a history of more than 3,000 years.
The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is very majestic, it is the building that the people of Myanmar are proud of, and all the governments of Myanmar have attached great importance to the repair and management of the Shwedagon Pagoda, and there are gates in the four directions of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
When Fang You and Liu Yuanshan went to one of the gates with many monks, they were stopped by several monks at the gate, "Two guests, I'm sorry, these days are pilgrimage days, in order to ensure the pilgrimage of Buddhist disciples, there is a limit on the number of tourists to enter, and the number has already arrived today, so if you want to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, it is recommended that you come back in a few days, if you want to see the relics of the Buddha's hair, please come early tomorrow morning." ”
Not only Fang You and Liu Yuanshan, but other tourists were blocked, Liu Yuanshan was a little helpless, "There is also this rule, I really don't know, the public market will start the day after tomorrow, we don't have time to waste a day here." ”
Fang You shook his head and smiled, if it was just him, find a place where no one was, as soon as the soil escape technique appeared, he could directly escape into it, he could go wherever he wanted, what about the Shwedagon Pagoda, it was completely impossible to build with gold, and its floor would definitely be made of earth.
But now there is Liu Yuanshan, but he is also powerless, during which some tourists want to bribe the monks guarding the door with money, but those monks sternly refuse, and explain that this is a holy place of Buddhism, and money will only blaspheme the Buddha.
The heart of these Buddhist disciples is not only respected by Fang You, but also by the monks who manage the temples and Buddhist holy places, which is an excellent thing, unlike some temples in China, which are built into scenic spots and managed by special companies, which are completely full of benefits.
"Xiaoyou, why don't we go to a nearby Buddhist supply store and buy a robe to put on our bodies, maybe we can get in." Liu Yuanshan, who was extremely yearning for the Buddha's hair, looked at the Buddhist supplies store next to him, rolled his eyes, and proposed to Fang You.
Fang You smiled a little helplessly, "Uncle Liu, do you really think that we are monks when we put on our robes, do you really think that the eyes of these gatekeepers are not bright, and when they are caught, they will be embarrassed." ”
Liu Yuanshan had a sad face, "Then what should I do, why don't we go to Naypyidaw now, stay around this golden pagoda, I always think about the Buddha's hair." ”
At this moment, a grand Buddha horn sounded, and an elderly monk dressed in a delicate robe slowly came from a distance, and the monks passing by stopped one by one and saluted him.
Seeing the respect on the face of the monk next to him, Liu Yuanshan couldn't help but ask, and the monk said with respect that this is their Burmese Buddhism Danbang master, whose Buddhism is extremely profound, often open the altar to preach Buddha, it can be said that most of the monks in Myanmar are the masters, and all the monks in Myanmar, including most of the people, respect people.
Seeing Master Danbang coming slowly, several monks guarding the door also clasped their hands together and shouted the Buddha's name.
Master Danbang looked up at them, then nodded, lowered his head with both hands, and was about to continue walking, when suddenly, when his eyes saw Fang You and Liu Yuanshan not far from the guarding monks, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
"This gentleman, are you from Huaxia, can you tell me your name." Master Danbang thought for a moment, with a little surprise on his face, and asked Fang You with some uncertainty.
Seeing Master Danbang looking at him and asking himself, Fang You's face showed a little surprise, "Master Danbang, I am from Huaxia, my name is Fang You, do you know me." ”
"I can't imagine that it is really Mr. Fang, you may not remember me, the last time the Buddha's true finger bone relics discovered by you were sent to Famen Temple for an offering ceremony, I was also present, as a Buddhist disciple, the appearance of the Buddha's relics is a very important thing, Mr. Fang, I don't know why you came to Myanmar." With some excitement on his face, Master Danbang folded his hands to Fang You and said hello.
Fang You's face was suddenly full of respect, looking at the face of Master Danbang, he was already more than seventy years old, and he did not hesitate to travel a long distance to China for the present life of the Buddha's true body relics, which is what a true Buddhist disciple should do.
He bowed to Master Danbang with both hands, "Hello, Master Danbang, there were too many people at the last worship ceremony, and it is a pity that I couldn't get acquainted with you." ”
"Mr. Fang, I also have this regret, unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to express my gratitude to you at that time, now I only represent the many Buddhist disciples in Myanmar, to you to discover the Buddha's true body relics, and dedicate them to Buddhist monasteries free of charge, so that many Buddhist disciples can look at the Buddha's body and bones of this act, thank you, disciples, follow me, thank you Mr. Fang."
Saying that, Master Danbang shouted the Buddha's horn and bowed slightly to Fang You, and under his leadership, all the Buddhist monks wearing robes next to him bowed in the direction where Fang You was.
Last time, there was a Buddha real finger bone relic in China, which has spread all over the world and is known to all Buddhist disciples all over the world.
What a rare thing the Buddha's relics are, Fang You did not hesitate to dedicate them, and this kind of behavior is respected by all Buddhist disciples.
Fang You hurriedly helped Master Danbang, "Master Danbang, there is no need to be so polite, it is my honor to be able to discover the Buddha's relics, and it is my honor to contribute it, and it is what I should do, Buddhism persuades people to be kind, and brings a lot of peace to the whole society, so that more people can feel the breath of the Buddha, which is even more my honor." ”
Seeing many Buddhist monks bowing to them, Liu Yuanshan was a little dumbfounded, what was the situation, although he knew that Fang You had discovered the Buddha's relics and had a huge impact, but he didn't expect that going abroad and coming to Myanmar would be so respected and thanked.
(To be continued)