In Myanmar’s matriculation exams, studying can only take you so far. The extra edge comes from visiting an ancient pagoda, which has attracted thousands of anxious parents as the university entrance tests approach next week.
Maha Shwe Thein Daw Pagoda in Mandalay region has long been believed to grant the wishes of its worshippers. Now parents are offering fruit and flowers at the temple as they pray for their children’s success, reported news outlet Daily Eleven.
Kyaw Swe, head of the pagoda’s board of trustees, told the newspaper that more than 10,000 people a day are visiting the pagoda, which was founded by bonafide high achiever King Anawrahta under the Pagan dynasty a millennium ago.
Most visitors are relatives of students who are hoping to get into university, said Kyaw Swe.
Located in Kyaukse township, the pagoda has already brought local vendors good fortune as they sell offerings for up to the equivalent of $90 to worshippers, added Kyaw Swe.
The attraction is on the old Yangon-Mandalay highway, about an hour’s drive from Mandalay in an area known for its historical sites.
Students across the world have their own rituals to combat the pressure of exams, such as eating apples in Chinese institutions because the fruit is pronounced in Chinese as “ping guo” which also means “safety.”
Meanwhile, parents in other Asian countries will also pray at Buddhist temples for the days leading up to the exam.
