Tripitaka

I noticed that the gates on some of the shrines at Kuthodaw (See Kuthodaw) were open and that rugs were laid out on the floor. Apparently, you can climb inside and sit with the stone tablet of a Tripitaka page and reflect on its meaning. [NOTE: This is probably a more common practice during the rainy season when the temperatures in Mandalay drop a bit. Was oppresively hot the day I visited, and I bet it was like an oven inside these shrines].  

Mandalay Kids

Peeking out from a little, shady niche containing "the bell" at the Kuthodaw Inscription Shrine (see Kuthodaw). [NOTE: Like the dot of thanaka on the tip of the nose].  

Kuthodaw

The Kuthodaw Inscription Shrine in Mandalay contains 729 intricately positioned white shrines. Two are shown above. Each shrine containes a stone tablet which has been inscribed with a page from the Tripitaka. If the tablets were stacked on top of each other, it is said that they would be 20 stories high and would represent the world's largest book. Made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Amazing place.