NAY PYI TAW July 16
A ceremony to explain the progress in erecting the Maravijaya Buddha Image, which will become the tallest stone Buddha Statue in the seated posture in the world, in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, Union Territory, was held this morning.
Present were Pro Tem President U Myint Swe and wife Daw Khin Thet Htay, the main donor Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Former President U Thein Sein, retired senior military officers and wives, Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye and wife, union ministers, chiefs ministers, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander and officials.
As regards the progress in erecting the Maravijaya Buddha Image, which will become the tallest stone Buddha Statue in the seated posture in the world, the main donor Senior General Min Aung Hlaing explained the four objectives of erecting the Image, which are, to show the world that Theravada Buddhism is flourishing well in Myanmar, for the country Myanmar, to become the centre of Theravada Buddhism, for national peace and prosperity, and for global peace and tranquility, systematic stage by stage excavation of huge boulders, the design of the Image which is the Yadanabon era Bhumi Phassa Mudra posture, conveyance of the parts of the Image and the Throne in different phases by water vessels and by road amidst many difficulties, the world’s heaviest conveyance in waterway and road transport records, Maravijaya Buddha Park project, Ovada sought from State Sangha Maha Nayaka Sayadaws in building the Image and the Park, erection of stone slabs bearing the Sixth Buddhist Synod version of Pali and Romanized Pitaka treatises in accord with the counsel of Oavadacarira Sayadaws, building of Mucalinda Lake and Nagayon Buddha in accord with the Buddhist treatises and records, publishing of Pali and Romanized Pitaka treatises for distribution to monasteries of world countries and recording them in tablets.
He also explained the systematic calculations for the sustainability of the Image, part by part connection of the Throne, construction of fountain square and circular fountains, progress records of the Park construction project, construction of Thudhamma rest houses for pilgrims, CNC carving of the Image, construction of Maravijaya Temple and Mucalinda Lake and planting of knee trees, part-by-part connection of the Image, construction of pagodas accommodating stone slabs on which Pitaka treatises are inscribed in Pail and Romanized Language for pilgrims to study them, success in conveying the connected parts 1,2 and 3 of the Image by Myanmar Engineering Council and the Military Engineers by using advanced machinery, ceremonies to enshrine sacred objects and valuable jewelry donated by people all over the country in the reliquaries on the Yadana Throne, stage-by-stage conveyance of the parts of the Image, construction of 296 feet long, 213 feet wide and 94 feet high Sasana Beikman Aggadhipati Visongama Ordination Hall where 900 monks and 1,200 layersons can organize grand religious ceremonies, installation of the holy single strand of hair between two eyebrows of the Image, use of modern machinery in providing the Image with wind-resistance earthquake-resistance, natural disaster-resistance for its durability, gradual progress of the Image construction project, construction of the pagoda platform,construction of gandhakuti chambers, installation of escalators for the convenience of pilgrims, especially the elderly persons, planting of Maha Bodhi tree and establishment of a mini forest, gradual development of fountain square and stone slab pagodas, preparations for a consecration ceremony, and portrayal of the Image construction project after its completion.
An additional program followed as attendees presented donations for the Image and Park construction project.
The Senior General accepted the collective donations, and thanked the donors.
The attendees then viewed scale models of the Maravijaya Pagoda and the Park, Pitaka treatises in Pali and Romanized Language and tablet records.
The Senior General and wife and attendees collectively planted Lumbaini Ingin trees.
The attendees looked around the Image and the Park.
