Nay Pyi Taw January 30
Parts of Bhumi Phassa Mudra marble carved sitting Buddha image and the throne were conveyed from Hsimeekhon Port to Nay Pyi Taw Council Area by modular trailer on 25 January, and these parts arrived at the designated auspicious venue where the Buddha image will be kept, in the evening of 29 January.
The grand auspicious ceremony to welcome parts of the Buddha image and the throne was held this morning, attended by the Buddhist monks led by Presiding Nayaka of Mingala Zeyon Pali Tekkatho Monastery of Pyinmana Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Vimalabuddhipali, Commander- in- Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Sein Win, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Mya Tun Oo, senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in- Chief, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command and distinguished guests.
The ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa and the Buddhist monks led by the Pali Sayadaw recited religious verses and dispensed Metta. Then, the congregation recited Ratanattaya Puja Gatha, Nine attributes of the Lord Buddha and Pathana as well as verses of dispensing Metta in chorus.
Led by Ovadacariya Pali Sayadaw, the Senior General and the congregation sprinkled scented water on parts of the Buddha image and the throne, and recited Jaya Mangala verses. At the auspicious time, parts of the Buddha image and the throne were conveyed to the place where there will be kept for public obeisance.
Then, the ceremony ended with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu, and religious association recited verses dispensing Metta. Later, they performed the rituals of golden and silver showers in commemoration of the completion of the ceremony. After the ceremony, the Senior General and party viewed temporary accommodation for parts of the Buddha image and the throne to be conveyed by modular trailer, and arrangements for driving the piles as the foundation for the throne, construction of religious buildings in the pagoda precinct and beautifying the park, and left necessary instructions.
The marble rock from which the Buddha image is to be curved was donated by U Aung Khaing Than and family of Angelo Mining Company to Shwe Foundation in 2013. At the request of Shwe Foundation, well-wishers led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing planned to curve the marble rock into the Buddha image with modern technologies by following the advice of the Sitagu Sayadaw, the Shwe Thuwun Sayadaw and the Rector Sayadaw. To curve the image in the Buddha Park in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, Union Territory, the marble rock from the Sagyin Hill in Madaya Township was conveyed in the first stage to Hsimeekhon Jetty in Myingyan Township along the Myaung River and the Ayeyawady River.
The marble rock was conveyed to TadaU roundabout from Sagyin Hill on 25 January and then to Nay Pyi Taw along Mandalay-Yangon Expressway. Curving will be in line with the 32 major characteristics and 80 minor characteristics of the Lord Buddha and in an appropriate Bhumi Phassa Mudra posture. The throne will be 18 feet high and the image 63 feet high with a total of length of 81 feet. For the convenience of pilgrims from near and far, Gandakuti chambers, Thudhamma rest house, Boktalok lake and water fountains will be built. The Gandakuti chambers will be decorated with marble works of Buddhist cultures and Buddhology. The conveyance of the remaining parts of the image and throne from Hsimeegon Jetty will continue.
100