A ceremony to lay gem cornerstones for the construction of Maravizara Buddha image in Buddha Park in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory took place in the precinct of the Buddha Park yesterday morning.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Sangha led by State Ovadacariya Pyinmana Maha Withutayama Zaygon Monastery Presiding Nayaka Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Dr Bhaddanta Kavisara and Sayadaw of Pali Takatho Mingala Zeyon Monastery Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vimalabuddhi, 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, Council members and their wives, the Secretary of the Council and wife, the Joint-Secretary of the Council and wife, the Chief Justice of the Union, Union ministers and 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 Daw Kyu Kyu Hla offered alms in the emerald alms bowl, fruits, flowers, water and oil lights to the Buddha image in the Mingala pavilion.
The congregation opened the ceremony with a 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 Chairman 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 holy 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 inscription, the gold alms-bowl, stone inscription, gems cornerstones and offerings to Zaygon Sayadaw and Pali Takatho Sayadaw.
Disciples conveyed the gold casket for sacred Buddha relics, the gold casket for sacred relics of Arhat, the gold leaves for treatises of Tri Pitakat, gold leaves for Jaya Mangala Gatha and Mingala Mawgun inscription, the gold alms-bowl, stone inscription, gems cornerstones, the gold alms-bowl, the gold cornerstone decorated with pieces of ruby, the gold cornerstone and Mawgun inscription respectively to round the precinct of the Buddha image clockwise and then to the centre of the cornerstone.
Leader well-wisher for the image, the Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services placed the soil from seven sites of Bodh Gaya and from famous pagodas from Myanmar. At the auspicious time, the gem casket, the gold casket for sacred Buddha relics, the gold casket for holy relics of Arhat, the gold leaves 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 it.
In accord with the traditions mentioned in the treatises, they all took the designated places. Then, the Vice-Chairman of the Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) 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 Dwe, the coral cornerstone, U Win Shein, opal 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.
Likewise, a ceremony to convey part-2 and part-3 of the marble rocks for the Buddha image followed. Led by Zaygon Sayadaw and Pali Takatho Sayadaw, the Senior General, the Vice-Senior General, and officials sprinkled scented Paritta water on the parts of the marble rocks and recited Jaya Mangala victorious verses. At the auspicious time, part-2 and part-3 of the marble rocks for the Buddha image were conveyed to the venue to take paying homage.
“Maravizara Buddha Image” is defined as the Lord Buddha significantly conquering overall disturbances and dangers committed by Marn celestial being. Construction of the Buddha image aims to show the firm flourishing of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar to the world, to ensure peace and tranquillity in the country, contribute visits of local and foreign travellers to the regional development as well as the development of the State. The Buddha image will be carved in line with 32 major characteristics and 80 minor ones of the Lord Buddha in Bhumi Phassa Mudra. The throne will be 18 feet high and the Buddha image, 63 feet high, totalling 81 feet tall. Upon completion, the Maravizara Buddha Image will be the most prominent and highest image made of marble in Myanmar and worldwide. —MNA
