Stone tablets of Three Pitaka pali treatises in Athakatha and Tika to be erected for public obeisance in the Buddha Park where Maravijaya Buddha Image will be located
Nay Pyi Taw December 2
The carving and erection of Maravijaya Buddha Image, which will become the world’s tallest sitting stone Buddha statue, is underway at the Buddha Park, Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, Union Territory, in accord with the counsel of the Sayadaw's of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (SSMNC), religious traditions, prescribed features for Buddha statues and Myanmar traditional customs.
Counsel is sought from Oava-Zakariya Sayadaws in building the Buddha statue that meets the 32 major characteristics and 80 minor characteristics of Buddha in a Bhumipassa Mudra position. There will also be buildings erected and decorated with architectural designs and crafts of the Yadanabon period.
When completed the total height of the statue will be 81 feet high, including the 63-foot tall Image and 18-foot high throne. The two parts of the throne have already been located. The curving work is being done by CNC Machines.
Under the Avada of the SSMNC Sayadaws and the leadership of Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is the principal donor, arrangements were made to inscribe the Three
Pitaka pali treatises in Athakatha and Tika (detailed explanations) on marble slabs as a long-standing religious record and place them in the park for public obeisance and for the promotion and propagations of the Sasana.
In so doing, advice of venerable members of the Sangha from the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee was sought, and Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leading well-wisher for the Buddha image, himself sought the guidance from Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abbot of Bhamo Monastery Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Maha Saddhammajotika Dr Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa. After seeking the advice, arrangements are being made to carve Tri Pitakat treatises, Atthakatha and Tika treatises in Pali and Romanize languages on marble rocks with the use of modern machinery.
Under the guidance given by former Rector of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddham-majolica Bhaddanta Ashin Silanandabhivamsa, Tri Pitakat treatises, Atthakatha and Tika treatises will be carved in Pali and Romanize languages under the supervision of five State Ovadaçariya Sayadaws.
A plan is underway to take samples of chambers for Pita-kat stone inscriptions approved by the Fifth Buddhist Synod placed at Maha Lawkamarazein Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay. These stone inscriptions on 729 stone plaques have been recognized as the UNESCO’s world heritage sites in 2013 as well as the world’s largest book on the World Guinness Record. The stone plaque chamber will be 12 feet long, 12 feet wide and 18 feet high and the stone plaque, 45 inches long, 75 inches high and 7.2 inches thick.
Upon completion, the stone plaques bearing Tri Pitakat treatises, Atthakatha and Tika treatises will be kept in the face to face direction of the Maravijaya Buddha Image as the stone plaques bear the preaching of the Lord Buddha. Arrangements are being made for pilgrims and people not only to pay homage to the Maravijaya Buddha Image but also to observe Tri Pitakat treatises, Athakatha and Tika treatises in the stone plaque chambers at the same time.
Construction tasks of Maravi-jaya sitting stone sculpturing Buddha image which will be the highest among the sitting stone sculpturing Buddha images across the world are being collectively contributed by families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) led by leading Buddhist image well-wisher Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, donors and ethnic national people. the Cost for each stone plaque chamber will be Ks-27.9 million. Records of individuals or in group donors will be carved on the plaque.