Monywa

Monywa Thambuddhe pagoda entrance

magnificent Monywa pagoda complex like world-famous Borobodur of Indonesia, very similar in architectural design. The imposing and superb Pagoda surrounded by satellite stupas, 864 in number bright and shining in the tropical sun from the glass mosaic covering outer and inner surfaces, each measuring 132 ft in height and gilded all over.

In the entire complex of Thambuddhe, there are colonnades of pillars resembling the Mahabodhi Pagoda of Bagan (the 13th century Mahabodhi), each one of the pyramidal pillars of Thambuddhe are made up of tiers, each housing row of seated Buddha images.

Monywa Thambuddhe pagoda Myanmar Burma

The pillars are topped by stupas of various sizes.

Not only the pillars are filled with Buddha images but the terraces and stupas all around the complex contain seated pagoda images in the niches.

All in all, the confounding total Buddha images are 582.363, all executed in the uniform size. The remarkable Ven. Mohnyin Sayadaw built this huge Pagoda complex in 1929, on an arid and deserted land covering 37 acres. At that time, it was in the nature of a thick forest. It took more than 10 years to complete. Whoever took refuge at the pagoda area escaped the

Monywa inside Thambuddhe Pagoda

Bodhi Tahtaung Pagoda

Bodhi Tahtaung lies quite close to Thambuddhe Pagoda. In the precincts a thousand Bo Trees are planted with a shrine for each tree. It is a grand and splendid sight. Moreover there is also a massive Bodhi Ta Htaung Reclining Buddha Image.

Another Pagoda known as Aung Setkya Pagoda is also constructed, 225 ft in height in addition to the base which is 216.75 ft, therefore the total height of the Pagoda is 441.75 ft. The Pagoda is surrounded by 1060 satellite pagodas.

Alaungdaw Kassapa

Legend

During the life-time of Lord Gautama Buddha, Shin Maha Kassapa occupied a second spot in seniority amongst Buddha is highest Disciples.

After Buddha’s demise, Ven. Maha Kassapa convened the First Buddhist Synod (Council) for the purification and perpetuation of Buddha Sasana at Razagyo kingdom.

In one of his former existences, the round of Samsara (Round of Rebirths) Ven. Maha Kassapa had kept a small bird playfully between small rocks causing its death.

For that bad deed, or evil Kamma (Action), the Rev.Maha Thera, Maha Kassapa had to pay in his last life before liberation or deliverance from Samsara or attaining Nirvana. Ven. Maha Kassapa knew the effects fully well – he has to pay for that misdeed.

Near the cave, he made a solemn vow that his corps would burn only in the hands of potential Arimettaya Buddha, the fifth and the last Buddha of the Buddhism Universe. He then entered the cave and lie on the rock bed prepared by the Celestials and at once his body turned into solid gold. When King Ajatassatu and his retinue, came upon the Rev. Thera being passed away, they had to make several valuable offerings and returned.

Those who wish to reach the said cave have to descend from the east of the chamber of the reclining image. When you find a little stream that is the sign that you have already arrived at your destination. Unfortunately, you will not be able to enter the cave where the golden image is lying. A huge stone slab has blocked the cave, which no one

could open. It is said to be the work of the Celestial just to keep away intruders.

However, one can tell the beads, practice meditation there. Devotees can also offer food in bowls and pots, just along the running water of the stream. If one offers only food, the bowls and the pot will flow out of the cave stream. If one offers everything, nothing will come out. If you bury certain offertories in the sand before the said cave, within minutes, those offertories will disappear in the sand.

Not far from chamber of the Reclining Image a pavilion that houses 3 bells, a small pagoda and over a hundred triangular brass gongs (kyesis). Nearby is a stream and a pond where Ven. Maha Kassapa is said to have washed his alms bowls, and washed and dried his monk’s robe. A mile from the Reclining Image, is the Atatassatu village where the King Ajatassatu built 21 pagodas in memory of Ven. Maha Kassapa.

On the hillock, facing the Reclining Image, there is a well named, Thitsa Well (Truth), or Myitta Well (Loving Kindness). This small well never dried up. The more the pilgrims arrive; there is more water in the well. The water of the well is believed to cure all kinds of ailments.

Pilgrims to the Monywa area from far and near, numbering 20,000 to 30,000 visit the shrine during the dry season.
There are 2600 National Parks all over the world; 33 in Thailand, 5 in Sri Lanka, 12 in Malaysia, 10 in Indonesia, 22 in India and 1 (Alaungtaw Kassapa) in Myanmar. Popa is now earmarked to become a National Park.

Some time ago, Col. John Blashford Snell, OBE, (Hon.) FRSGS, Chairman of the Scientific Exploration Society, England and his party of 13 people, mostly secientists and naturalists came to Alaungtaw Kassapa for the second time, being here in the late 1960s and 1970s remarked, “We have never seen such good and pristine forest in South East Asia, flora and fauna especially tigers, thamin, golden deer, cenvus eldi (thamin) which are already extint in the world. They can be only found in Chattin Wild Life Sanctuary and the Shwesettaw Wild Life Sanctuary.”

The wild life sanctuary is full of wild life and fauna; the habitat of large mammals like sambers, barking deer, wild pigs, tigers, Hinlyan bears and wild elephants. Poaching and illegal hunting are prohibited under the Myanmar National Parks Law, 1994. In the streams and rivers, there are variety of birds, like red-wattled lapwing, wag tails, sand pipers, forest birds like woodpeckers, lauging thrushes, babblers, orioles drangos, mynas, parakeets, barbets, crucals, jungle fowls, pigeons and doves, etc.

If one wish to breath fresh and clean air, enjoy exhilarating and enlivening venture, and experience mythical sensation and feeling in the lush tropical jungle, Alaungtaw Kassapa is a excellent choice and option.

A other very interesting tour destination close to Monywa are the Powintaung Cave Pagodas on the other side of the Chindwin river.

Some useful links:

Samsara, Chindwin river, barking deer, Myanmar tigers, Myanmar elephants, sand pipers, jungle fMyanmar, Myanmar commodities, Myanmar tapestries, brass wares..