Bo Bo Gyi (Burmese:ဘိုးဘိုးကြီး,pronounced[bóbódʑí];lit. 'hallowed grandfather') traditionally refers to the name of a guardian deity (callednat) unique to eachBurmese Buddhisttemple orpagoda. Bo Bo Gyi is typically depicted as a nearly life-sized elderly man, dressed in a curved cap and sometimes carrying a cane, to signify old age.[1] Offerings of scarves andpaso are common by worshipers.[1] There are many Bo Bo Gyi shrines throughout the country, and some are more widely respected than others. TheShwenyaungbin (Golden Banyan Tree) Bo Bo Gyi shrine betweenYangon andBago is often visited by new car owners hoping to have their cars blessed by the Bo Bo Gyi spirit at that site.[2][3]
According to a legend ofShwedagon Pagoda, theGautama Buddha's hair relics were given to twoMon merchants who later gave them to the King of Yangon, wanting the relics to be properly enshrined in a pagoda. Bo Bo Gyi, as an avatar ofIndra, came down to earth and pointed his finger to the proper location where that pagoda should be built, which is where the Shwedagon Pagoda is.[4] Hence, he is popularly depicted as a figure pointing his finger as a reference to this legend.[4]
Bo Bo Gyi is highly respected amongstThai people asthep than chai (Thai:เทพทันใจ; the deity [who may grant your wish] immediately). Many believe that praying to, wishing to, and having their forehead touched by the deity's pointing finger of thethep than chai, especially atBotataung Pagoda inYangon, will bring them luck.[4]
