| Kaspar-Sickermann |
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MyanmarThe Golden Rock with the
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| 30. Sep 07 | ||
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Myanmar (first page)
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They say that the Golden Rock with the Kyaik-htiyo-pagode was recovered in the 19th century. 2500 years ago the pagoda was erected upon one hair of the Lord Buddha. Buddha himself had given this hair to a hermit, who kept it so long in his hairknot, till he would find a boulder looking like his own head. The king of the nats Thagya-min helped him and brought a large boulder from the ground of the sea and put it on the place where it lies still nowadays. That is the reason for the name of the pagoda: "Kyaik-htiyo" means "pagoda upon a hermit's head". The hair of the Lord Buddha prevents the boulder to crash down. |
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Another legend tells, that in reality the Golden Rock does not lie upon the base stone but hovers over it. |
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This is shown in very impressive images in a separate hall.
[2004].
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At first the boulder hovered above the base
so high that a chicken could pass in between.
Five hundred years ago the boulder lowered. Now
there was space only for a partridge.
Two hundred years ago there was no more space
than for a sparrow (other sources: for a mouse).
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Even nowadays the boulder is not yet in contact with the rock beneath but hovers so narrow that the distance cannot be seen. This idea pleases me (I am an engineer) much more than the thought of that unstable support at the edge of the base rock. |
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Myanmar (first page)
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Golden Rock
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Geology
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Ascent
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Monks, Novices and Pilgrims
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Legends |
Surroundings
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In the Rainy Season*
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The Pilgrims' Path*
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How heavy is the rock?
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| * German text with English remarks in the pictures ! | |||
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