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The Season of Pa-de-tha Tree

 Photo Credit - www.today-myanmar.com

Why no more pa-de-tha trees?
One of the best loved stories I heard in my childhood was the story of the pa-de-tha. the wonder tree that bears all the things that the human heart could wish. If you feel like eating a succulent dish of noodles. you just go to the tree and pluck it. If you want a dress for your important date. there you could have your choice from the most exotic creations from the Tree. The Tree would give just about everything you wish for. you only have to go there and pluck.

 The Tree grew at the beginning of the world and later it disappeared. It happened like this. I was told. One rule the humans must observe was that no one must take more than he could use at one time. The human. however. mistrusting one another. began to pluck more than they needed and stocked things in their homes. When one began. others soon followed suit. Quarrels and fights followed and the Tree was destroyed.

Like Christmas tree
The word pa-de-tha in Myanmar is synonymous with plenty. and inexhaustible wealth. In this season of Tazaungdaing festivals. we can see that the pa-de-tha tree is back. Go anywhere in town. in streets and markets. you will see preparations for the ka-htein offering of robes to the sangha in progress. There. standing in front of the decorated marquees are wooden triangular structures. hung with things like packets of yellow robes and other gifts. like a Christmas tree.

They are the pa-de-tha trees to be offered to the Isangha. who after staying in the monastries during the lenten season. may be going to their hometownoron their mission. once the ban on travelling is lifted at the end of the lent. It is the time when they will be in need of robes and other articles of use.
Even though the robes could be offered to the sangha at anytime of the year. the seasonal offering is considered more meritorious. The offering of ka-htein robes at this season is an important date in the Buddhist calendar.
Putting a'fruit'on the tree
One of the beauties of the ka-htein offering is that it is a communal offering. eveyone contributing whatever he can. however little. Even the poorest can be a donor. Contributions in money or in kind are accepted. Any chance passer-by can gain merit by putting a 'fruit' on the pa-de-tha tree be it a one Kyat note. or a napkin. or a small tea cup.
Last but not least. it is an occasion for songs. music and dances. What more could you ask with all the fanfare of music and songs. people enjoying themselves. as if there had grown real pe-da-tha trees of olden times. Perhaps. because they have done meritorious deeds. they would be reborn in the land where such trees grow.
A pa-de-tha tree on your door-step
There are stroies of how the act of dhana (giving) bears fruits. and the pa-de-tha tree often plays an important part. Go to any pagoda and when you put a coin in the donation box. the man sitting with a triangular brass gong accepts the gift striking the gong and intones a prayer for you. and amongst the good things he wishes for you; he will say. "May you have a pa-de-tha tree on your door-step." and "may you never have occasion to hear the word. 'want' or 'no more'."
Never to hear 'want' or 'no-more'
I like especially the story of the man who. after doing an act of dhana. wished that he might never hear the word 'want' or 'no-more'. He was reborn a prince. and one day while he was playing with his friends. his mother sent him some eatables. which naturally. were shared with his friends. The prince sent for more but his mother sent word that there was 'no-more'. The young prince. not understanding the word. asked his mother to send the said 'no-more' to him. The mother sent him an empty hamper. but the deyas (gods). because of the deed the prince had done in the past filled the hamper with the choicest of delicacies. From that day on the young prince and his friends declared' no more' was the best they ever tasted.
There is the story of a poor man who offered his one and only nether garment'to. the Buddha; he was later reborn a rich man with a. pa-de-tha tree that blossomed forth clothes. right on his door-step. One is simply thrilled at the idea.
A Blessing indeed
The pn-de-tha tree cannoi be planted by a green- finger expert. but it can only be nurtured by acts of dhana.
Today. during this season. it is heart-warming to see lots of pa-de-tha trees growing among festivities. They represent the spirit of dhana and people's unswerving faith in the Buddha's teaching and also the trust and kindliness among the people in the community. All these go to make the annual ka-htein offering a great joy.
It is a nice feeling that you too could contribute to the planting of a pa-de-tha tree. by simply hanging a kyat note or any small gift on the tree. Perhaps. you too might have a pa-de-tha tree right on your door-step. and if you have done in the right spirit you shall never hear the word 'want' or 'no-more'.
It would be a blessing indeed.

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