Illustrated with sketches of floor plans, architectural details of monasteries and photographs of significant features, this book introduces the reader to the beauty and genius of Burmese craftsmanship, as expressed in the construction and embellishment of Buddhist wooden monasteries. Burmese wooden monasteries and related pavilions have not received the scholarly attention they deserve. This is unfortunate given the ephemeral nature of wood in a damp, tropical climate, with voracious insect life and the ever-present risk of floods, fire and earthquakes.