A Glossary of Burmese Words

(Editor’s Note: There is no accepted uniform system of rendering the sounds of Burmese words phonetically in English. Therefore the preferences of individual writers have been followed in this collection.)

arahat: in Buddhism, one who has completed the discipline required to attain liberation.

Bodhi: in Buddhism, the state of enlightenment.

Bogyoke: honorific for military hero; generalissimo.

Brahma: in Buddhism, a personal god.

chinthe: Burmese legendary and symbolical lion.

Deva: in Buddhism, a divine being or angel.

Dhamma: in Buddhism, the universal laws which govern human existence; the truth taught by the Buddha.

gauugbaung: formal male headdress: a silk kerchief tied on a conical straw frame.

htamein: type of longyi worn by women.

hti: spire of a Burmese pagoda.

Jatakas: stories of the earlier lives of the Buddha.

kamma: in Buddhism, the principle of causality in moral experience.

Kassapa: one of the Buddhas who preceded Gotama.

kyat: Burmese currency; at present, about 21 U.S. cents.

lakh: one hundred thousand: 100 lakhs equal 1 crore.

longyi: lower garment of Burmese dress for both sexes; it is wrapped around like a skirt or sarong.

mahadevi: wife of a sawbwa, a Shan chief.

Mara: in Buddhism, the spirit of evil; the tempter.

metta: in Buddhism, the concept of universal love.

Nagas: hill tribes of northwest Burma and Assam.

nahtwin: ear-piercing ceremony for girls.

Nats: nature spirits, and spirits of dead heroes.

Nirvana (Nibbana): in Buddhism, the state when the mind becomes free of passion, hatred and delusion.

padaythabin: a legendary magical tree; now a tree decorated with alms gifts.

parabaik: type of early Burmese book with fan-like folds.

pasoc: type of longyi worn by men.

phongyi: Buddhist monk, a member of the Sangha.

pwè: variety show; entertainment with music; dance.

pya: Burmese currency; 100 pyas equal 1 kyat.

Pyidairtha: “Happy Land”; slogan expression for the social and economic welfare program of the new Burma.

saing: Burmese orchestra, with circle of tuned drums.

Samsara: in Buddhism, the round of rebirth.

Sangha: the order of Buddhist monks.

sawbwa: hereditary feudal chief in the Shan State.

sayadaw (sayagi): honorific for a monk or teacher.

shiko: to bow down, kneeling and touching forehead to the ground, in respect to an elder or superior.

shinpyu: head-shaving ceremony for initiation of Burmese boys as monks.

sikhara: pyramidal tower of an Indian-style temple.

Tantrism: esoteric rites, yogic practices, and doctrines found in both Buddhism and Hinduism.

Thakin: master; also, a member of the Thakin party which led prewar resistance against the British.

Theravada: one of the major divisions of Buddhism, also known as Hinayana, “the lesser vehicle.” It is dominant in Ceylon, Burma and Thailand. The other major sect is Mahayana, “the greater vehicle.”

Tripitaka: the “Three Baskets” of the Buddhist scriptures.

yein: classical “pure dance” group recital or style.

yodaya: style of dance or song imported from Siam.

zat: classical Burmese dance drama.

zawgyi: magician, or alchemist.

zayat: side building of a pagoda for rest or meditation.