Pindaya cave This site is amazing. There are stories that say this cave is really old but the earliest the cave can really be dated is in the early 1800s. It seems like a place where hermits would hole up and become enlightened since the dawn of time but no… it is not that old.

The day we were there I was saved by this group of girl and boy scouts of some kind or another. Their colorful outfits and exploration of the caves with their cell phones seemed to bring the place to life. I couldn’t believe my luck when we entered, explored and exited all at the same time! I am really looking forward to seeing my 120 mm film of these kids as I want pictures that say this is a  “modern Myanmar”.

The cave Buddhas all seem to have plaques under them, but the language is mostly in Burmese, so it is hard to tell… I am reminded of the voice of the cable TV in Asia that says “Brought to you in association with…” or perhaps the halls of Mout Sinai Hospital in Miami that are covered with plaques that state the names of the donors to the hospital, copper plates of various sizes based one would assume on the size of the donation. So it seems in the Pindaya cave that people and organizations and religions from all over the world are working on their merit by sponsoring new and improved Buddha images in the cave.

 

The stalactite had water dripping down and many of the pilgrims would touch the water and then bring the water to the crown of their head, face or heart. I thought well, why not, what can it hurt, and I followed in their footsteps hoping for all things that are good.