Gadaw
Encyclopedia
Gadaw is a Burmese verb
referring to a Burmese tradition in which a person, always of lower social standing, pays respect or homage
to a person of higher standing (including Buddhist monks, elders, teachers and Buddha), by kneeling before them and paying obeisance with joined hands, and bowing. This is usually done by students to their teacher
s or children or grandchildren to their elder
s (parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents), in order to show gratitude and reverence and an opportunity to ask for forgiveness, often involving gift-giving. It is traditionally done on New Year's Day of Thingyan
and during the month of Thadingyut
(roughly October), which marks the end of Vassa
, the Buddhist lent. The tradition is widely believed to have Buddhist roots, as teachers and parents are honored as part of the Five Infinite Venerables , along with the Three Jewels
, namely the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. Moreover, the Mangala Sutta
, the source of the 38 Buddhist Beatitudes, describes the importance of "honoring those worthy of honor" and lists respect, humbleness, gratitude and as among the highest blessings. The collective gadaw of teachers is called a hsaya gadaw pwe or more formally acariya puja pwe or asariya puzaw pwe , usually done formally during the month of Thadingyut (or World Teachers' Day on 5 October) by students or alumni at schools and universities throughout the country.
During the time of the Burmese monarchy, a ritualized gadaw ceremony called the gadaw pwedaw was practised at least three times a year at the royal palace, by tributary chieftains and rulers as well as subjects to the king, as a symbolic form of allegiance
. Gadaw nay was one such time, occurring at the end of the Buddhist lent, and when tributes and gifts are formally offered to the king.
The traditional Burmese request of the Three Jewels (Triple Gem), a formulaic prayer (termed the "Buddhist common prayer" by Pe Maung Tin
) that precedes most Buddhist ceremonies, explicitly references the gadaw of the Five Infinite Venerables (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, parents and teachers):
A more ritualized form called the wai khru
is found in neighboring Thailand. A similar tradition, called dam hua is practiced in the Lanna region of Northern Thailand
, especially during Songkran, the Thai new year.
Burmese language
The Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as...
referring to a Burmese tradition in which a person, always of lower social standing, pays respect or homage
Homage
Homage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic....
to a person of higher standing (including Buddhist monks, elders, teachers and Buddha), by kneeling before them and paying obeisance with joined hands, and bowing. This is usually done by students to their teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
s or children or grandchildren to their elder
Elder
Elder is a surname that means "older than you".* American Indian elder-In religion:* Elder , person valued for his wisdom who accordingly holds a particular position of responsibility in a Christian group** Elder...
s (parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents), in order to show gratitude and reverence and an opportunity to ask for forgiveness, often involving gift-giving. It is traditionally done on New Year's Day of Thingyan
Thingyan
Thingyan is the Burmese New Year Water Festival and usually falls around mid-April . It is a Buddhist festival celebrated over a period of four to five days culminating in the new year...
and during the month of Thadingyut
Traditional Burmese calendar
The traditional Burmese calendar is a lunisolar calendar based on both the phases of the moon and the motion of the sun. Within each month of the Burmese calendar, a major festival, often Burmese Buddhist in nature, is held...
(roughly October), which marks the end of Vassa
Vassa
Vassa , also called Rains Retreat, or Buddhist Lent, is the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners...
, the Buddhist lent. The tradition is widely believed to have Buddhist roots, as teachers and parents are honored as part of the Five Infinite Venerables , along with the Three Jewels
Three Jewels
The Three Jewels, also called the Three Treasures, the Siemese Triples, Three Refuges, or the Triple Gem , are the three things that Buddhists take refuge in, and look toward for guidance, in the process known as taking refuge.The Three Jewels are:* BuddhaTaking refuge in the Three Jewels is...
, namely the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. Moreover, the Mangala Sutta
Mangala Sutta
The Mangala Sutta is a discourse of the Buddha on the subject of 'blessings' . In this discourse, the Buddha describes 'blessings' that are wholesome personal pursuits or attainments, identified in a progressive manner from the mundane to the ultimate spiritual goal...
, the source of the 38 Buddhist Beatitudes, describes the importance of "honoring those worthy of honor" and lists respect, humbleness, gratitude and as among the highest blessings. The collective gadaw of teachers is called a hsaya gadaw pwe or more formally acariya puja pwe or asariya puzaw pwe , usually done formally during the month of Thadingyut (or World Teachers' Day on 5 October) by students or alumni at schools and universities throughout the country.
During the time of the Burmese monarchy, a ritualized gadaw ceremony called the gadaw pwedaw was practised at least three times a year at the royal palace, by tributary chieftains and rulers as well as subjects to the king, as a symbolic form of allegiance
Allegiance
An allegiance is a duty of fidelity said to be owed by a subject or a citizen to his/her state or sovereign.-Etymology:From Middle English ligeaunce . The al- prefix was probably added through confusion with another legal term, allegeance, an "allegation"...
. Gadaw nay was one such time, occurring at the end of the Buddhist lent, and when tributes and gifts are formally offered to the king.
The traditional Burmese request of the Three Jewels (Triple Gem), a formulaic prayer (termed the "Buddhist common prayer" by Pe Maung Tin
Pe Maung Tin
Pe Maung Tin was a scholar of Pali and Buddhism and educator in Myanmar, formerly Burma. Born an Anglican and named Maung Tin at Pauktaw, Insein Township, Rangoon, he was the fifth child of U Pe and Daw Myaing. His grandfather was the first Burmese pastor of Henzada...
) that precedes most Buddhist ceremonies, explicitly references the gadaw of the Five Infinite Venerables (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, parents and teachers):
| Burmese | | English translation |
|---|---|
| I request! I request! I request! | |
| In order that any action I may have committed against the Three Jewels Three Jewels The Three Jewels, also called the Three Treasures, the Siemese Triples, Three Refuges, or the Triple Gem , are the three things that Buddhists take refuge in, and look toward for guidance, in the process known as taking refuge.The Three Jewels are:* BuddhaTaking refuge in the Three Jewels is... (with my parents and teachers) either physically, verbally and mentally may be effaced, and in order that I may acquire merit which will bestow upon me longevity, health, freedom from dangers and others; I raise my joined hands in reverence to the forehead and worship, honor, look at, and humbly pay homage to the Three Jewels: the Buddha Buddha In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened... , the Dhamma, and the Samgha (with my parents and teachers) once, twice, and three times. |
|
| As a result of this meritorious act of prostration may I be freed at all times from the woeful realms Desire realm The desire realm is one of three realms or three worlds in traditional Buddhist cosmology into which a being wandering in may be reborn. The other two are the form realm, and the formless realm The desire realm (Sanskrit kāma-dhātu) is one of three realms (Sanskrit: dhātu, Tibetan: khams) or... , the three kinds of catastrophes, the eight kinds of wrong circumstances, the five kinds of enemies, the four kinds of misfortunes, the five kinds of loss, the ninety six or ninety eight kinds of diseases, and the sixty two kinds of wrong views; and quickly attain the Path Middle way The Middle Way or Middle Path is the descriptive term that Siddhartha Gautama used to describe the character of the path he discovered that led to liberation. It was coined in the very first teaching that he delivered after his enlightenment... , the Fruition, and the Noble Dhamma of Nibbāna. |
|
A more ritualized form called the wai khru
Wai khru
The wai khru ceremony is a Thai ritual in which students pay respects to their teachers in order to express their gratitude and formalize the student–teacher relationship. It is regularly held near the beginning of the school year in most schools in Thailand...
is found in neighboring Thailand. A similar tradition, called dam hua is practiced in the Lanna region of Northern Thailand
Northern Thailand
Thailand's northern region is geographically characterised by multiple mountain ranges which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar and Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them...
, especially during Songkran, the Thai new year.