Nay Pyi Taw April 25
The auspicious gems cornerstone laying ceremony of the Marawizaya Buddha Image to be placed for public obeisance in Buddha Park in Dakhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, Union Territory, was held at the designated precinct in the park, this morning.
Present on the occasion were State Ovadacriya Sayadaw Principal Sayadaw of Mahawithutayama Zaygon Monastery in Pyinmana Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Dr Bhaddanta Kavisara, Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddha-mmajotika Dhaja BhaddantaVima-labuddhi of Pali Tekkatho Mingalazayyon Monastery and Sayadaws, Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla,Vice Chairman of the Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, SAC members and their wives, the SAC secretary and wife, the joint secretary and wife, the union chief justice, union ministers and their wives, the chairman of Nay Pyi Taw council and wife,senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw command, deputy ministers and guests.
First, the Senior General and wife offered meals in the Emerald Bowl, fruits, flowers, water and lights to the Buddha Image in the Mingala Pavilion.
The congregation opened the ceremony with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa and took the Nine Precepts from Zaygon Sayadaw. Disciples offered Paritta flowers,
water, thread, sand and stones to members of the Sangha. The Chair-man of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and wife and the Vice-Chairman of the Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) and wife donated the gem casket, the gold casket for sacred Buddha relics, the gold casket for sacred relics of Arhat, the gold casket for soil from the victorious land, treatises of Tri Pitakat, gold leaves for Jaya Mangala Gatha and Mingala Mawgun in-scription, the gold alms-bowl, stone inscription, gems cornerstones and offerings to Zaygon Sayadaw and Pali Tekkatho Sayadaw.
The congregation offered respec-tive gems cornerstones and alms to members of the Sangha.
They listened to Metta Sutta, attributes of three noblest gems and Pobbanhna Sutta recited by members of the Sangha and scattered Paritta flowers, water, threads, sand and stones in the precinct of the Buddha Image.
Next, they listened to a sermon delivered by Pali Tekkatho Sayadaw and shared merits gained.
Disciples conveyed the gold casket for sacred Buddha relics, the gold casket for sacred relics of Arhat, the gold leave for treatises of Tri Pitakat, gold leaves for Jaya Mangala Gatha and Mingala Maw-gun inscription, the gold alms-bowl, the gold cornerstone decorated with pieces of ruby and Mawgun inscription,respectively to round the precinct of the Buddha image clockwise and then to the centre of cornerstone.
Leader well-wisher for the image the Senior General placed the soil from seven sites of Bodh Gaya and that from famous pagodas from Myanmar. At the auspicious time, the gem casket, the gold casket for sacred Buddha relics, the gold casket for sacred relics of Arhat, the gold leave for treatises of Tri Pitakat, gold leaves for Jaya Mangala Gatha and Mingala Mawgun inscriptions, the gold alms-bowl, the gold cornerstone decorated with pieces of ruby and stone inscription of Mawgun at the designated places and sprinkled scented Paritta water on them.
In accord with the traditions mentioned in the treatises, they all took the designated places. Then, the Vice-Senior General placed the cornerstone decorated with pieces of pearl, General Mya Tun Oo, the sapphire cornerstone, Admiral Tin Aung San, the garnet cornerstone, General Maung Maung Kyaw, the emerald cornerstone, Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dway, the coral cornerstone, U Win Shein, cat’s eye cornerstone, Lt-Gen Kyaw Swa Lin, the topaz cornerstone and Lt-Gen Kan Myint Than, the diamond cornerstone. They then sprinkled scented Paritta water on the cornerstones and scattered various kinds of jewellery on the central foundation.
Members of the Sangha recited Jaya Mangala victorious verses such as “Jayanto Bodhiyamule”. Next, the ceremony ended with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Siram Thitthatu and they performed the rituals of golden and silver showers.
Likewise, a ceremony to convey parts 2 and 3 of the Buddha image took place according to the agenda.
Under the patronage of the Zaygon Sayadaw and the Pali Tekkatho Sayadaw, the Senior General, the Vice-Senior General and officials sprayed scented water on the parts of the Buddha image reciting Jaya Mangala victorious verses. Then at an auspicious time, parts 2 and 3 of the Buddha image were conveyed to where they would be kept for obeisance.
The ceremony then came to a close with a three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Siram Thithathu while the Wut associations recited Metta Linkas.
“Marawizaya Buddha Image” is so named for Lord Buddha that can defeat all dangers from the King Marn. The Buddha image is built with four objectives: to show the world that Theravada Buddhism is flourishing in Myanmar, to ensure State peace and stability, to ensure regional development through visits of local and foreign pilgrims and to contribute towards national development. The Buddha image will be curved in Bhumi Phassa Mudra style blessed with the 32 major characteristics and 80 minor characteristics of Lord Buddha. The whole image will be 81 feet in height including the 63 feet high Buddha Image and the 18 feet high throne. After the curving, the Buddha image will be the biggest and highest one made of marble in Myanmar as well as in the world.
