Those from Myanmar Engineering Council and the Military Engineering Corps joined hands in lifting up the parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Maravijaya Buddha image with the use of modern machinery, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at his clarification on progress of the Buddha image yesterday morning, with attendance of Pro Tem President U Myint Swe and wife Daw Khin Thet Htay, the Senior General’s wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, President (Retired) U Thein Sein, retired senior military officers and their wives, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye and wife and officials.
In his clarification, the Senior General who is a leading donor for building the Buddha image as well as the Buddha park said that building of Maravijaya sitting Buddha image aims to show flourishing of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar, to be Myanmar as a focal point of Theravada Buddhism, ensure prosperity of the State and contribute to peace and stability of the world.
With regard to stone-carving process, the Senior General explained that in line with the advice of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Sayadaws and Ovadacariya Sayadaws, treatises of Tri Pitakat in accord with the copies approved by the sixth Budhdist Synod are being impressed on marble plaques in Pali and Romanized languages.
Additionally, Tri Patakat treatises are being printed in Pali and Romanized languages to donate them to Buddhist monasteries across the nation and to insert them into the tablets.
Moreover, Musalinda Nagayon Pagoda is being built according to the advice of Ovadacariya Sayadaws and under the treatises, he added. The Senior General also briefed all on construction of parts of Maravijaya Buddha Image in sytematic calculation, water fountains, Maravijaya Buddha Park, Maravijaya Chamber, Musalinda Lake, and stone plaque chamber.
With respect to construction processes of the Buddha image, the Senior General clarified that those from Myanmar Engineering Council and the Military Engineering Corps joined hands in lifting up the parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Buddha image with the use of modern machinery. Moreover, religious objects and jewellery items donated by well-wishers across the nation were enshrined in the central parts of the bejewelled throne.
He continued to say that Sasana Beikman Agga Dipati Withongama ordination hall, 296 feet long, 213 feet wide and 94 feet high, was built to accommodate 900 members of the Sangha and 1,200 laypersons at the religious ceremonies.
At further clarification, the Senior General underscored installation of Uññalun holy hair on the face of the Buddha image, construction of the platform and Gandakuti chambers, escalator facilities for older persons, and preparations for organizing the gala consecration ceremony of the image.
Those present at the ceremony generously donated cash to the fund for building the Buddha Image and the park to the Senior General who spoke words of thanks for all donations.
They all viewed scale models of the Buddha image and the park, printed Pitakat treatises in Pali and Romanize languages and insertion of them into tablets.
The Senior General, wife and party planted sal trees.
All attendees to the ceremony then viewed round the Maravijaya Buddha Image and the Maravijaya Buddha Park.
Maravijaya Buddha Image which would be the world’s highest sitting marble Buddha Image upon its completion is being carved in Dekkhinathiri Township of Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw. — MNA/TTA
