Our Simple Thadingyut

As I opened my eyes, I noticed that this morning was somewhat different, and according to the grandfather clock of my neighbor, the chimes could be clearly made out as it reported it was only five in the morning. In my autumn years, one day and another was somewhat similar, no need to get up and make a rush for work to earn my keeps. Not that I was well of, but in my senior years, no one wish to accept my labors since same workmanship can be secured from a younger and stronger man. His hands would be more nibble, stronger and time taken to complete the woodwork job would be more faster too, it’s all a question of economics these days. As it was still dark, I blinked my gray eyes, rubbed it and rolled slowly and turned to the other side of our flimsy cane mat which served as our mattress on the floor, similar to myself, well weathered, smooth and maybe a shade past its usefulness and tried to touch the shoulder of my beloved wife and faithful partner for over forty years and noticed that my touch was cold and bare. However I did felt the coarse cotton blanket and her single make shift pillow of my old longyis, lovingly sewed together by her soft hands. Since she was not there, it looked as though she must be cooking the rice.

I raised the antique cotton mosquito net which was tied with available different colour strings to the four posts of the room, then put on my trusted army sweater that I bought three years back in Kalaw market to shield the morning cold temperatures, it was around ten degrees Centigrade and braved my way slowly to the kitchen. Under the glow of the burning wood stove, my pride and glory was crouched due to the cold weather, engrossed cooking the rice to be offered as ‘soon’ to our Lord Buddha.  I made my way to the toilet outside in the yard and by the time the business was done, dawn was just about to break. God, the weather was cold and shivered as I brushed my teeth and washed my face. The water from the old rusted diesel drum was liquid ice and we had no need for a freezer, not that we could afford it. There was no running electricity either, as this was a luxury at our age and just an added expense.

Slowly closing the kitchen door behind me, my old lady was not there any more. The rice pot was by the side of the kettle on the wood fire. It felt warmer inside, but was still cold with a few wooden planks missing due to old age like myself. I, U Thaw Kaung, had been meaning to replace the rotted pieces of wood, but the strength was unlike previously and the toll of age superseded my desires. Should it really becomes necessary and the push become a shove, I would turn my mind into action, until then why disturb a sleeping tiger was the thought.

The house was of wooden construction, built by U Thaw Kaung about thirty years ago when he was still strong, healthy and agile. It was a small three rooms construction consisting of a kitchen, bedroom and a utility room in a small compound of thirty by forty five feet on the outskirt of western Kalaw, before the mountain trek to a Gurkhr village. With the little money that he had and the donations from unused and excess planks of new house owners, the little dwelling was finalized. The roof was of corrugated galvanized iron, bought secondhand but still has life with a patch here and there. A healthy coat of paint and was as good as new with an extended life very much remaining.

I will never know how I managed to raise my boy and girl. It seemed a long time ago in another period, looking back those were the good old days.

Sensing my way to the utility room, I found the love of my life in front of the alter praying and giving homage to Lord Buddha with a token offering of steaming boiled plain rice on a saucer, accompanied with a single candle and a small vase of ‘Aung Tha Pyay’ fresh green stems from the plant in the compound. She chanted and prayed with her woolen socks neatly piled beside her. I also crouched beside her and paid homage to Lord Buddha while my wife chanted. She also must have been freezing, however as a sign of respect took her socks off. A very staunch Buddhist I must admit. After some time I stood beside our window which opened similar to shutters, supported by a make shift bamboo pole. Gazing out, it was a misty morning and I could hear monks chanting through the trees, coming somewhere from the neighborhood. I also saw Daw Kyi Hla with her grand daughter hurrying off to the morning market. Bamboo basket in hand, both of them tried to keep the cold at bay by brisk walking with their woolies on and steam puffing out of their mouths. The sparrows were tweeting and going about their business to find something to eat. It was a wonderful sight and could not have enough of it even though I have witnessed same from here for more than thirty years. The steamed beans seller balancing her load on her head advertised her wares at the top of her voice was all music to my ears and the sight was more beautiful than any paintings that I had seen, the view was well composed too.

After some time standing by the window and quietly appreciating the scenery, my beloved wife Ma Saw commented, “ Ko Thaw Kaung, do you know what day this is? ”

I replied, “ All I know this is a wonderful morning but a wee bit cold and not a black cloud in the sky. It’s going to be a fresh bright dry day.”

“ Well my dear husband, today is the first day of Thadingyut, seventh month of our Myanmar calendar and marks the end of our Buddhist lent. On the full moon day, Lord Buddha returned from heaven to our motal world after preaching Abhidmahha to his late mother Maya for three Lenten months, who passed away after seven days when Lord Buddha was born. This was a form of pay back gratitude from our Lord Buddha. ”

She continued, “ To mark this auspicious occasion, we also should brighten the night sky with ten oil lit lights in front of our house during this wonderful Thadingyut period and celebrate like true Buddhist disciples. ”

That said, his wife Ma Saw smiled and disappeared into the kitchen to continue her daily chores of cooking and preparing a small dish for the monks by ten. At nine thirty, both proceeded to the monastery taking the well-walked path from their small wooden house with the simple dish in hand. At the monastery, both took the five precepts given by the head monk. Feeling spiritually content, Ma Saw returned back to the house, that was only a short walk away. I, U Thaw Kaung meanwhile proceeded to ‘Hnee Phaya’, a Pagoda where he offered his physical work as donation and do anything the ‘Phaya Lugyi’ (Pagoda Elders) has to dish out. He was not the only one, there were quite a few of them looking after the up keep of the Pagoda. Young an old, all donating their physical hard work expecting nothing in return. This day lunch would be served by the Pagoda’s devotees, with a vegetable dish and rice, a welcoming meal to be sure at that.

After a delicious lunch and all the daily work were done, U Thaw Kaung took a leisurely walk back and he looked forward to seeing his wife, who was also his life. She was also graying in years like him, but to U Thaw Kaung she may no more posses the physical beauty of younger years, but she was still beautiful spiritually and in heart which value was paramount.

When U Thaw Kaung opened his cranky gate door, he was warmly greeted by Ma Hla Hla and Maung Kaung Kaung, his grand children by his only daughter Ma Lay. They may be seven and six years old, but seems tall for their ages and has been quite sometime since he saw them last. It was a most unexpected wonderful surprise as they now lives in Taunggyi.

As I walked flanked by my grand children with a beaming grin on the face into the house, I was further surprised and greeted by my elder son Maung Oo, who now lives in Yangon and works as a computer programmer. The situation overcame me, I cannot help but shed a few tears of joy being united again with the whole family. My better half Ma Saw also cried with happiness after seeing my tears. My son Maung Oo looked well, so also was my daughter and her husband with the kids. My children sent regular monthly money orders that kept me and my wife ticking in our autumn years. They have done their fair share and I could not ask for more.

Looking around, U Thaw Kaung noticed some new mats, pillows and blankets and he knows that it did not belong to him.

“ Where did these all come from? Looks rather new to me! ”

Ma Saw commented, “ It is on loan from the monastery and the head monk was kind enough to spare them for a few days while your children and grand children are here. ”

She continued, “ The grand children will kip with us while your daughter and son in-law and your son sleeps in the utility room. Is it not nice to be all together once again? ”

The children were here for three days of Thadingyut holidays. Ma Saw and their daughter Ma Lay already bought fresh vegetables, chicken and oil, thus the evening meal should be a feast.

Then their son Maung Oo said, “ Father, Mother, please sit here. We wish to pay homage to you both on this auspicious occasion. Ma Lay and myself are thankful  for making us what we are today. As a token of our gratitude, please accept Kyats 100,000/- from me and Kyats 50,000/- from my little sister Ma Lay plus two longyis and woolen sweaters for mother. The cakes, candles and vitamins should come in handy to you both. ”

Son and daughter including grand children and son in-law bowed and couched on the mat and paid respects to both of us. We blessed them all for long life, health and every success in all their endeavors. This was a wonderful surprise and for sure revitalized both of us. Ma Saw quickly kept some cash, cakes and vitamins aside to offer to the monks at the monastery following day. Even with the sunshine, the day was cool and dry. Whatever, it proved to be a day worth remembering and I am thankful for our blessed life.

After a hearty dinner, all together eating on the small wooden round table, sitting on the floor, it was most delicious and the united family was most encouraging. Under the glow of a single candlelight, we laughed and joked about old times and washed the food down with hot green tea. Once the meal was over, I went to the front of the house and put oil and a wick in the ten small clay light holders.  After lighting it, the small flames danced in the light breeze. The glows were strong enough not to burn another candle in our utility room.

My grand children asked, “ What’s the oil lamps for granddad? ”

“ Well it’s like this. When our Lord Buddha returned from heaven after preaching Abhidmahha to his mother, this world greeted him with lights to show the way in the dark of night. To mark this auspicious occasion, we continue to light the three days of Thadingyut.  Before, full moon and the day after.”

Kaung Kaung asked, “ Can we do that when we grow up? ”

“ Of course you all can. Thadingyut is an important auspicious occasion in our Myanmar Buddhist calendar. ”

U Thaw Kaung kissed his grand children on their cheeks and they continued play by the glow of the oil lamp lights in front of the house.

I joined the conversation in the utility room under the moonlight and the glow of the lamps in front.  Even though the temperature was falling, togetherness of the family kept us warm with hot green tea from the pot. This enjoyment was truly a pinnacle of happiness.

During this auspicious occasion, let us take stock of our lives and remember not to gaze upwards only and be well contented of the current status quo, as there are many, many more below, trying to make ends meet. Should we be down in the pits, endeavor we must, but not to feel sorry for ourselves.

What a Thadingyut !