Gadaw (, ; also spelt kadaw) 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 Bowing (also called stooping) is the act of lowering the torso and Human head, head as a social gesture in direction to another person or symbol. It is most prominent in Asian cultures but it is also typical of nobility and aristocracy in many E ...

. This is usually done by students to their

teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...

s or children or grandchildren to their elders (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 (/sɛŋkəmɑ/ ; , Old Mon language, Old Mon: သင်ကြာန် ), also known as the Myanmar New Year, is a festival that usually occurs in middle of April. Thingyan marks the transition from the old year to the new one, based on ...

and during the month of

Thadingyut Thadingyut () is the seventh month of the traditional Burmese calendar. The Myanmar term "thadin" (သီတင်း) means the Buddhist Lent (Vassa), which spans the three preceding lunar months and is the tradition of Buddhist monks trying to ...

(roughly October), which marks the end of

Vassa ''Vassa'' (, , both "rain") is the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada Buddhists. Taking place during the wet season, Vassa lasts for three lunar months, usually from July (the Burmese month of Waso, ) to October (the Burmese ...

, 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 In Buddhism, refuge or taking refuge refers to a religious practice which often includes a prayer or recitation performed at the beginning of the day or of a practice session. Its object is typically the Three Jewels (also known as the Triple ...

, namely the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. Moreover, the

Mangala Sutta Mangala (, IAST: ) is the personification, as well as the name for the planet Mars, in Hindu literature. Also known as Lohita (), he is the deity of anger, aggression, as well as war. According to Vaishnavism, he is the son of Bhumi, the eart ...

, 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. Obeisance ceremonies are also held for neighborhood elders, and professional mentors, such as writers and actors. 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 An allegiance is a duty of fidelity said to be owed, or freely committed, by the people, subjects or citizens to their state or sovereign. Etymology The word ''allegiance'' comes from Middle English ' (see Medieval Latin ', "a liegance"). The ...

. ''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 Okāsa or the "Buddhist common prayer" by

Pe Maung Tin Pe Maung Tin ( ; 24 April 1888 – 22 March 1973) was a scholar of Pali and Buddhism and educator in Myanmar, formerly Burma. Born to an Anglican family at Pauktaw, Insein Township, Rangoon, he was the fifth child of U Pe and Daw Myaing. His g ...

) 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 Northern Thailand, or more specifically Lanna, is a region of Thailand. It is geographically characterized by several mountain ranges, which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar to Laos, and the river valleys that cut through them. ...

, especially during Songkran, the Thai new year.

See also

References

See also