2008 Woodie Awards
Burma/Myanmar history discussed
Amy Foster/Online Reporter
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
Students of all majors were educated on the past and present of Burma/Myanmar Wednesday night, by Catherine Raymond, director of Center for Burma Studies, located at Northern Illinois University. Raymond and NIU student Stephanie Sposito informed the audience of Burma/Myanmar's geography as well as the countries history, full of Buddhism traditions.
Sposito said that although the Burma/Myanmar that is seen today in the news is a poor country, it was not always poverty-stricken. Burma/Myanmar used to be rich in resources. However, since 1962, their military government has controlled the country. Even the aid that is given to Burma/Myanmar is not always put in the right hands.
"The government lives comfortably, while monks are starving," Raymond said. "They need the donations."
Also, neighboring countries such as China, India and Thailand find it in their best interest to keep Burma/Myanmar poor.
As for the country's geography, Burma/Myanmar is located in Southeastern Asia between Bangladesh and Thailand. The country has surrounding mountains and is bordering the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. Raymond explained that three main rivers run through the country. These rivers became the homes to the first civilizations in Burma/Myanmar.
During the first millennium, many different religions and traditions started along the rivers. Raymond explained that Burma/Myanmar divided into seven different divisions/states.
Throughout time, Buddhism became the main religion in the Burma/Myanmar. Palaces and Buddhist temples were erected. The religious buildings and palaces were built using stone and adorned with gold.
Sposito, who visited Burma/Myanmar with Raymond, in May of 2006, said that the temples sparkled in the sun. Real gold leaves were used to adorn the top of temples. This showed the importance of the temple as a holy place to practice Buddhism.
"I had to attend this lecture for a class and thought it would be boring," Jenny Kovacik, a sophomore art major said.
"However, it was interesting. It helped me have incite on the Burma/Myanmar conflicts going on in today's news."
Although it was once a rich country, Burma/Myanmar is now one of the poorest. Through the Center for Burma Studies, Raymond and Sposito work to help bring relief to Burma/Myanmar. Information can be found on the Center's website, www.grad.niu.edu/burma.
Helping bring Raymond and Sposito to Eastern were the College of Sciences, Department of Geology/Geography and the GTU Club, who sponsored the lecture in honor of National Geography awareness week.
Sposito said that although the Burma/Myanmar that is seen today in the news is a poor country, it was not always poverty-stricken. Burma/Myanmar used to be rich in resources. However, since 1962, their military government has controlled the country. Even the aid that is given to Burma/Myanmar is not always put in the right hands.
"The government lives comfortably, while monks are starving," Raymond said. "They need the donations."
Also, neighboring countries such as China, India and Thailand find it in their best interest to keep Burma/Myanmar poor.
As for the country's geography, Burma/Myanmar is located in Southeastern Asia between Bangladesh and Thailand. The country has surrounding mountains and is bordering the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. Raymond explained that three main rivers run through the country. These rivers became the homes to the first civilizations in Burma/Myanmar.
During the first millennium, many different religions and traditions started along the rivers. Raymond explained that Burma/Myanmar divided into seven different divisions/states.
Throughout time, Buddhism became the main religion in the Burma/Myanmar. Palaces and Buddhist temples were erected. The religious buildings and palaces were built using stone and adorned with gold.
Sposito, who visited Burma/Myanmar with Raymond, in May of 2006, said that the temples sparkled in the sun. Real gold leaves were used to adorn the top of temples. This showed the importance of the temple as a holy place to practice Buddhism.
"I had to attend this lecture for a class and thought it would be boring," Jenny Kovacik, a sophomore art major said.
"However, it was interesting. It helped me have incite on the Burma/Myanmar conflicts going on in today's news."
Although it was once a rich country, Burma/Myanmar is now one of the poorest. Through the Center for Burma Studies, Raymond and Sposito work to help bring relief to Burma/Myanmar. Information can be found on the Center's website, www.grad.niu.edu/burma.
Helping bring Raymond and Sposito to Eastern were the College of Sciences, Department of Geology/Geography and the GTU Club, who sponsored the lecture in honor of National Geography awareness week.
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