A CEREMONY to convey part-1 of Bhumi Phassa Mudra sitting marble Buddha image to be built in Buddha Park of Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw by the modular trailer was held from Simikhon Port to Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw on 4 April, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The part-1 marble rock of the Buddha image weighing 1,090 tonnes was placed on 62-tonne steel frames. The marble rock was difficulty conveyed by the modular trailer from Simikhon port to Nay Pyi Taw along Mandalay-Yangon expressway for seven days and arrived at the designated venue on the night of 10 April.
The welcoming and title identifying ceremony for the part-1 of the image took place yesterday morning, attended by Presiding Nayaka of Maha Withutayama Zaygon Monastery Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Dr Bhaddanta Kavisara and Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies and Sitagu Hospitals Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru, Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika, Agga Maha Pandita, Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara, Joint Shwegyin Sangha Raja Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara and members of the Sangha, Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Vice-Chairman of the Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Council members General Mya Tun Oo, Admiral Tin Aung San, General Maung Maung Kyaw, LtGen Moe Myint Tun, U Moung Har, Daw Aye Nu Sein, Dr Banyar Aung Moe and U Shwe Kyein, Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe, Joint-Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Union Minister for Construction U Shwe Lay, Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council Dr Maung Maung Naing, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command and guests.
The master of ceremonies supplicated the sitting marble Buddha image was identified as Maravizara Buddha Image three times.
The Senior General and party sprinkled scented water on the part-1 of the image, and it was conveyed to the designated place.
After the ceremony, Chairman of Marble Rock Production and Conveyance Work Committee Lt-Gen Kan Myint Than of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) reported on brief background history, seeking advice from venerable monks, conveyance process and construction plans. The Senior General supplicated a supplementary report.
The venerable monks viewed round scale model of the park, scale model of the Buddha image, location for marble rocks, construction of the foundation for the throne, and preparations to construct religious edifices in the precinct of the park. The Senior General conducted the monks round the park.
Maravizara Buddha image will be built in Nay Pyi Taw with the aim of showing firm flourishing of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar to the globe, ensuring peace and stability of the State, developing the region through visits of pilgrims to the Buddha image and contributing towards development of the State. Maravizara Buddha image means specially conquering all destructions and dangers of Saturn. The Buddha image will be 63 feet high with 18 feet high throne. Marble parts for throne and image were conveyed from Simikhon port to Nay Pyi Taw seven times. That was the seventh time. Part-1 of the Buddha image weighs 1,090 tonnes on 62-tonne steel frames, totalling 1,152 tonnes. According to the records, the marble rock moved by vehicle was the largest and the heaviest in the world.
Upon completion of the construction, Maravizara Buddha Image will be the largest and highest marble carved Buddha image not only across the nation but also throughout the world.
MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar