NAY Pyi Taw June 6
The Tatmadaw is striving for carving a marble rock from Sagyin Hill near Sagyin Village of Madaya Township, Mandalay Region into a Bhumi Phassa Mudra sitting Buddha image which will be 63 feet high with a 18 feet high throne to be placed in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw by seeking advice of Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Ñanissara, Shwethuwun Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Saddhiya and Rector Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nandamalabhivamsa with contributions of the people due to work transfer of Shwe Foundation under the leadership of Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Together with Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academy and Sitagu Hospitals Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Agga Maha Pandita Maha DhammakathikaBahujanahitadhara Joint Shwegyin Sangharaja Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Ñanissara, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing this morning inspected progress in carving the marble rock into Bhumi Phassa Mudra Buddha Image. The Senior General supplicated on progress of carving and sought advice ofthe Sayadaw.
First, the Sayadaw, the Senior General, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), senior military officers, the commander of Central Command and party arrived at Sagyin Hill in Madaya Township where marble stones are being excavated for building the Buddha image. At the briefing hall, the Senior Generalsupplicated on progress of work to the Sayadaw with the use of scale models of the image.
The Senior General and seniormilitary officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) continued their supplications onexcavation of the marble rock, progress of carving, plans to transport the image to Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw through road and waterway, and work process in Nay Pyi Taw. The Senior General supplicated that the Buddha image isbeing carved with four aims to show flourishing Buddhism in Myanmar to the world, to ensure peace andtranquility of the country, to contribute towards regional development andprosperity through visits of local and foreign pilgrims and to develop State economy. Well-wisher U Aung Khaing Than of Angelo Mining CoLtd donated the marble rock to Shwe Foundation in 2013. Necessary stones were further bought forthe throne. Systematic estimation and calculation are conducted forexcavation of necessary stonesfor the image, transport process, settlement and beautifying ofthe park where the image will be kept. Plans are underway to buildGandakuti chambers, Thudhammapublic rest house, Boktaloke Lake and water fountains in the park forconvenience of pilgrim people. Interior part of the Gandakuti Chamber will be decorated with Buddhological culture and episodes with the use ofcarved marble stones. A target was set to complete the image in 2022.
Conveyance of the image will start in July this year in accord with the traditional procedures with carefulness not to cause any damage to the height of the image. The Sitagu Sayadaw said it must be sculptured in proximity with 32 personalities of Lord Buddha.
Even yellow robes must be in equal length and fingers must be similar. Good marble with matched colours as well as fine artistic works arenecessary. Thudamma public rest house needs to be built with similarity to that in Mandalay. It is better to use teak logs in building. The effort for the propagation of Buddha Sasana is a good deed, the Sayadaw said.
Next, the Sitagu Sayadaw, the Senior General and party viewedimplementation of eight tasks for transport of the marble rock to Nay Pyi Taw for carving it into the sitting Buddha image with 63 feet in height and 18-foot-high throne totalling 81 feet in height and left necessary instructions.
Then, the Senior General and party on board the helicopter viewed the routes of conveying the Buddha image such as the route from Sagyin Hill near Sagyin Village, Madaya Township, Mandalay Region, to Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw; the route from Sagyin Hill to Myaung river; the route from Myaung river to Hsimeegon jetty along the Ayeyawady River; the route from Hsimeegon jetty to Sagar-in roundabout in TadaU; and the route from the roundaboutto Dekkhinathiri Township along Mandalay-Yangon Expressway. Later, the Senior General left necessary instructions.
