Work coordination meeting on Maravijaya Buddha Image, the tallest stone Buddha Statue in the seated posture in the world, held; Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing cordially greets pilgrims from far and near
NAY PYI TAW August 31
A work coordination meeting on Maravijaya Buddha Image, which is the tallest stone Buddha Statue in the seated posture in the world located in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, Union Territory, was held at the Office of the Broad of Trustees in Maravijaya Buddha Park this afternoon.
Present were the main donor Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Advisor to the SAC Chairman Lt-Gen Nyo Saw, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, Union Minister for Energy U Ko Ko Lwin, Union Minister for Construction U Myo Thant, Lt-Gen Kyaw Swa Lin, Lt-Gen Kan Myint Than and senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander and officials.
First, Lt-Gen Nyo Saw reported on programs being implemented in accord with the guidance of the Senior General for the convenience of pilgrims, daily visits of pilgrims including monks, lay persons, civil servants, students, foreign guests, the total number of pilgrims that reached 338,110 -- 8,241 monks, 1,998 nuns, 32,7871 pay persons during the period from the inauguration date to 30 August, free administration allowed for monks, nuns and students visiting the Image under the program of their school, and 50 percent discount for civil servants who show their ID, completion of Ticket House and trial runs, generous donations made by local and foreign pilgrims, donation of accessories for the Image by social organizations, availability of purified drinking water for pilgrims, beautifying and sanitation undertakings in and around the pagoda compound, installation of solar power lights to reduce electricity consumption, car and motorcycle parking lots, plans to set up panel of patrons of the Image, maintenance and protection steering committee, board of trustees, support teams, arrangements to carry out services and related activities for the Image, sustainability of the Image.
Then Lt-Gen Kyaw Swa Lin reported on appointment of staff for the Image, Union Minister U Tin Oo Lwin on formation of board of trustees, Brig-Gen Zaw Naing Oo on progress in implementing the directives of the Senior General, construction of two Yahanda religious buildings, a 360 degree video recording of the Image, fountain square and stone tablet pagodas by a drone, erection of Eingaday Seintaung outside Gandakudi Hall, construction of two prayer halls, installation of hand-washing basins, construction of the entrance road to Gandakudi Hall, Union Minister U Myo Thant on progress in paying the entrance road to the Image from Yangon-Mandalay expressway and a U-turn, Vice Mayor of the Nay Pyi Taw Development Committee U Maung Maung on progress in building a freeway and road extension works on Sabel Street (Yazathingaha junction) in Dekkinathiri, extension of Thitkwa street and upgrading of Myatmingala street, Nay Pyi Taw Command Commander Maj-Gen Saw Than Hlaing on security matters, Deputy Minister for Information Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun on compilation of a documentary book on the erection of the Image. As regards the presentations, the Senior General spoke of the need to arrangement buggy transportation programs for monks, elder persons and persons with disabilities, systematically appoint staff and assign duties, plant trees for the greening and beautifying the pagoda compound, prohibit dining in Gandakudi Halls, carry out systematic beautifying and cleaning programs in the compound of the Image, systematize incoming and outgoing roads and parking areas.
In his closing address, the Senior General said during a three-month the trial run period, provisional rules, instead of permanent rules, should be applied for pilgrims. As regards the entrance permission, the most satisfactory means should be applied and allow free entry for all pilgrims. Reasonable fees should be collected only on phone cameras, video cameras and armature photographing.Only the private cars should be allowed to enter the pagoda compound and a reasonable parking fee must be collected.
Systematic maintenance work should be carried out for the long-term existence of the Image. It is the tallest stone Buddha Statue in the seated posture in the world and the pride of Myanmar. Based on experience during the three-month period, long-term needs for manpower, financial matters and management functions must be calculated to arrange long-term plans to protect and maintain the Image.
After the meeting, the Senior General and party went on a pilgrimage tour of the pagoda platform and stone tablet chambers.
The Senior General also cordially greeted the pilgrims.
The ceremony to consecrate the Maravijaya Buddha Image, hoist sacred umbrellas atop stone tablet pagodas and share the merits was held on 1 August on a grand scale. Public obeisance of the Image was allowed on 8 August. A large number of pilgrims including people of the religious order from the entire country have been visiting the Image daily since then.