Making Merit and Eating at Kematiri Monastery

Making Merit and Eating at Kematiri Monastery, Mon State, Myanmar

On October 27, 2013, that morning, I, mr.hotsia, was invited by a kind nun whom I met during conversations while traveling in Mawlamyine to visit and make merit at Kematiri Monastery, a famous monastery in Mon State. It is not far from Mawlamyine city. When I arrived around 9:00 AM, the nuns and monastery residents were having breakfast together.

Kematiri Monastery stands out with its simple atmosphere, inhabited solely by nuns with no monks. Most visitors making merit are women. The atmosphere is similar to Thai village temples where locals gather to make merit and eat together. What impressed me most was the large traditional tray beautifully arranged with various foods, allowing diners to eat comfortably without sitting on the floor as we usually do.

The food I tasted that day was traditional Mon cuisine from Mawlamyine, with unique flavors, especially the Burmese-style stir-fried shrimp prepared by the nun, rich and well-balanced in taste. I had the chance to chat with Shan people from Shan State living here, exchanging languages and cultures joyfully. We found that words for “father, mother, one, two, three” are very similar in Burmese, called “pa-pa, ma-ma,” and in Shan language, which closely resembles Thai.

The story of Ma Miya that I learned from the nun and locals inspired me to visit ancient houses in the afternoon to explore the lifestyle and cultural traces remaining from the Ma Miya era, a famous cross-border love legend known by both Mon and Thai people. This journey felt like traveling back in time to experience those stories firsthand.

Mawlamyine: City of Culture and Local Cuisine

Mawlamyine is a city where I, mr.hotsia, stayed for six nights to truly absorb the lifestyle and culture of the Mon people. It offers not only ancient temples but also an array of captivating local flavors.Mawlamyine Cuisineis a great example of the harmonious blend of Burmese and Mon cultures.

While staying at The Breeze Guesthouse by the Salween River, enjoying the peaceful river view flowing through the city, I tried food at several Chinese and local restaurants, especially my favorite dish, Mawlamyine-style fried chicken with a rich flavor and fragrant garlic aroma. One restaurant I liked isBONE GYI RESTAURANTlocated by the Salween River, just a 200-meter walk from my accommodation.

The food here closely resembles authentic Burmese cuisine but with unique flavors and spices distinct from other places. I recommend trying the shrimp fried rice and local fried chicken of Mawlamyine, which reflect the care and uniqueness of the Mon people in Mon State.

Lifestyle and Living of the Mon People in the Monastery and City

Joining merit-making and dining with the nuns at Kematiri Monastery gave me insight into the Mon people's devout religious and cultural lifestyle. The monastery is inhabited solely by nuns living simply, without the hustle of big cities. The atmosphere is peaceful and friendly.

Personally, I was impressed by the Burmese-style large traditional tray arrangement, different from ours. Using a large tray made it convenient to eat and share food warmly. I also exchanged knowledge with Shan people living here, which helped me understand the cultural connections between these two ethnic groups that seem different but are actually closely related.

After making merit and eating at the monastery, I planned to visit ancient houses related to Ma Miya, a famous cross-border love legend in this area, to capture unique images and experiences to share.

Travel Tips

If you want to truly experience Mon culture, I, mr.hotsia, recommend visiting Mawlamyine and making merit at Kematiri Monastery to see the impressive lifestyle of the nuns and locals. Don't miss tasting the local cuisine in this city, which perfectly blends Chinese and Burmese influences.

For accommodation in Mawlamyine, I recommendThe Breeze Guesthousewhere I stayed. It is located by the Salween River, with a great atmosphere and warm service. For those who want a relaxed, self-guided trip and to live like a local, this is the place.

Don't forget that Mawlamyine also has many interesting attractions, such as Kyaikthanlan Pagoda and Mottama town, which I have written about in the articlesMottama Town 2013andTraveling Mawlamyine on Your Ownwhich will help you prepare and plan your trip effectively.

Summary of Impressions

Making merit and eating at Kematiri Monastery in Mawlamyine is an unforgettable experience for me, mr.hotsia. Besides experiencing the genuine lifestyle of the Mon people and nuns, I also savored rich and unique local food and exchanged cultures with locals who are surprisingly close to us.

If you enjoy in-depth travel and want to experience authentic culture, I recommend visiting here at least once in your life to gather memories and wonderful stories like I have.