World’s Tallest Sitting marble Buddha image : Gala ceremonies of Maravijaya Buddha Image held

The gala ceremonies of consecration for the Maravijaya Buddha Image which will be highest sitting marble Buddha Image in its kind on the world erecting in Dakkhinathiri Township, Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw, hoisting umbrella atop the stone inscription stupas and merits sharing was held in the morning on 1st August, 2023, full moon day of (Second Waso month), 1385 Myanmar Era.

First, the Leading Donor of the Buddha Image Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla arrived at the Maha Mingalar Pandal and offered the lotus robe, alms-food in emerald bowl, flowers, water and candle light to the Buddha Image.

Next, the most senior members of Sangha led by the secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee were conveyed into the Maha Mingalar  Pandal. First and foremost, the Maravijaya Buddha Image was consecrated by the members of Sangha from local and abroad including most venerable Sayadaws from Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Laos, Sri Lanka, India and Most Venerable Myanmar Sayadawgyis as per the country.

After completion of the consecration ceremony by the members of Sangha, the Chancellor of the Sitagu Buddhist Universities Dr. Baddanta Nanissara recited the auspicious Jayamangala Gatha  and the Buddha Image was propitiate by going colourful fireworks.

To celebrate the second part of the ceremony, hoisting umbrella atop the stone inscription stupas was continued. First, the Leading Donor SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla conveyed the umbrella and religious objects.

The ceremony was opened by reciting “Namo Tassa” three times and the venerable Sayadawgyis recited Jayyamangala Gatha . Then, the Leading Donor SAC Chairman Prime Minister and congregation conveyed the umbrella and pennant shaped vane, took the places and hoisted umbrella and pennant shaped vane atop the stone inscription stupas. The congregation gave hurray for the successful achievement.

At the third part of the ceremony, the merit sharing ceremony was held in the Aggadhipati Sima Hall and the ‘Soon’ (day meal) was offered to the members of Sangha. At the third part of the event, the libation ceremony was held in the Aggadhipati Sima Hall and the congregation received the Nine Precepts from Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Thanlyin Minkyaung Monastery Sayadaw and listened to parittas recited by members of the sangha.

Later, the Leading donor Prime Minister supplicated building Maravijaya Buddha image to the Sayadaws from local and abroad. In his supplication, the Prime Minister said that the Maravijaya Buddha Image was built with four objectives;  to show the flourishing of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar, to have Myanmar as a focal point of Theravada Buddhism, to ensure prosperity of the State and to contribute to peace and stability of the world.

He also supplicated the conveying processes of the marble rocks to Nay Pyi Taw by water and land routes to build the Buddha image and carving processes of the sitting marble Buddha image, construction of Buddha images, Nagayon pagoda, stone inscription cetis, Sasana Beikman , repositories, Thudhamma public rest house, religious buildings, bridge, lake and the Buddha park as well as carving the stone plaques on the land of the park.

The Prime Minister also said that the Buddha Image is built with the tradition of Buddhist culture, Myanmar arts and crafts. In addition, it is carved with resilience of impact from strong winds, earthquakes, and lightning strikes. Later, the Prime Minister and wife donated 9 inches tall Maravijaya Buddha image and religious building on the Buddha image dedicating to Thatbinnyu Buddha to Thanlyin Min Kyaung Sayadaw and also donated offertories.

After that, Vice Chairman of the SAC Deputy Prime Minister Vice Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe donated offertories to Sitagu Sayadaw and the congregation also donated offertories to members of the sangha. And then, the leading donor Prime Minister presented honorary gifts for architectural engineers through an official.

At the event, the Prime Minister and wife and congregation listened to Thanmawda Niya Ovadagahta recited by Sitagu Sayadaw and also religious sermon from Presiding Nayaka of Thiho Pariyatti monastery Sayadaw Dr Buddanta Sanda Nathara and shared the merits gained.

The Prime Minister and wife also performed religious rites to mark the success of the gala ceremonies. After the ceremony, the Prime Minister and wife and congregation donated day meal (Soon) to 900 Sayadaws and members of the sanghas from local and abroad and the lunch was also served to the well-wishers and congregation.