Stakes driven in, cornerstones laid to rebuild Naungdawgyi Myathalyaung Reclining Buddha Image in Bago
( Tuesday 13 August , 2002 )

The ceremony to drive in stakes and to lay cornerstone to rebuild Naungdawgyi Myatha-lyaung Reclining Buddha Image was held at the pagoda in Bago this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 Accompanied by Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence, ministers, the Chief of Staff (Navy), deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department and officials, the Secretary-1 left here by car in the morning.

 On arrival at Wanbawdat Bridge near Thayagon Model Village at the border between Yangon and Bago Divisions at 7.35 am, the Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Aung Min and officials. The ceremony was held at Mazin Ward in the town where the pagoda is located. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt drove in the stake and laid the cornerstone. Accompanied by the commander, the Secretary-1 and party attended the ceremony.

The Secretary-1 paid obeisance to Buddha images found at the reconstruction site. Sayadaw Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma-jotika Bhaddanta Visuddha of Dhammalankara Monastery of Bago administered the Nine Precepts. Lay persons presented parrita flowers, water, thread and sand to Sayadaws. Sayadaws then recited parittas. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented the stake, the cornerstone, the silver casket and offertories to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Visuddha.

Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Brig-Gen Aung Min and ministers presented the stakes, cornerstone and offertories to Sayadaws.

Chairman of Bago Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Gandavacaka Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma-jotika Bhaddanta Vimala of Otthathiri Sarthintaik delivered a sermon. The congregation shared the merits gained. The flag bearers and members of the ceremonial entourages took the stakes to the designated places.

After the stake-driving ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party went round the site chosen for construction of the Naungdawgyi Mya-thalyaung Reclining Buddha Image clockwise and then took positions at the Mingalar Pandal, at which the cornerstone-laying ceremony would be held. Then, the cornerstone-laying ceremony followed.

The Secretary-1 put the casket with nine different kinds of gems at the centre of the foundation. Next, the Secretary-1, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min and ministers laid cornerstones at the designated places. The Secretary-1 covered the cornerstone with the bronze plaque. The Secretary-1 and party then sprinkled scented water on the foundation.

 After that, merits gained were shared, which brought the ceremony to a close. At the briefing hall of the pagoda precinct, the Secretary-1 and party heard reports presented by Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge and Myanmar artistic works designer U Ohn Tin on tasks carried out for construction of the Buddha Image and Gandhakutitaik. Then, Myanmar Historian Dr Khin Maung Nyunt reported on matters related to ancient cultural artistic works and Lecturer of the Engineering Department (Architecture) of Yangon Technological University U Hlaing on area of the precinct of the Buddha Image, condition of the ground, religious buildings to be constructed in the precinct, the sites chosen for entrance, exit and parking of pilgrimage vehicles, and arrangements to be made for greening of the surrounding areas of the image.

The Secretary-1 stressed the need for close cooperation among engineers who will construct the Buddha image and Myanmar artistic works designers, and to be in conformity with ancient styles in constructing the Buddha Image, Gandha-kutitaik and spired prayers hall. Later, the cash donations ceremony for construction of the Buddha Image followed at the same venue.

 Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Khin Kyi (Advocate) presented US $ 100,000; Daw Khin Kyi of Maha Bandoola Street, Yangon, K 2 million; U Ohn Tin and U Maung Maung Aye (Myanmar Artistic Works Designers Group) K 2 million; Bago Eastern timber extraction enterprise, K 1.5 million; Aye Mya Housing Estate Ltd, U Pan–inda and Dr Tun Tin, Dr Daw Htay Kyi and children, U Min Thin of Yangon, U Tin Aung-Daw Kyi Aye and family of Golden Dragon Gold Shop, Myanstar Garment, Thitsar Pankhin Co Ltd, and U Myo Thant-Daw San San Myint (Soe Moe Kyaw and Waing Waing Le lottery shop), K 1 million each; U Ye Din-Daw Mya Aye of Thonse, K 800,000; Captain Myint Lwin and family, Chinsu May Flower Plywood Factory of Oattha Myothit, Dr Thein Kyi and family of Yangon, U Kyin Wun and family of Joe Thein Cheroot Enterprise in Bago, Peace and Development Councils of Nyaunglaybin, Thanatpin, Kyaukdaga, DaikU, Kawa, Waw and Bago of Bago District, Shwe Thanlwin Co, wellwishers of markets in Bago and Shwe Than Lwin Co K 500,000 each; Kwanyinsi Temple in Bago and Road Transport K 500,000 each, owners of guest houses, restaurants and general enterprises and Dr Aung Soe Win-Daw Khin Swe Swe K 400,000 each, U Aye of Ngwe Sabai cheroot factory in Bago, Gyothein Garment Factory in Bago, Dr San Lin-Daw Mya Mya Win of Chinthay Thonkaung cheroot industry in Bago, Myoma trishaw association, Directorate of Transport and Communications in Bago Division and U Aung Myo-Daw Myint Myint Hlaing K 300,000 each, U Kyaw Lin-Daw Aye Myint of Hsin Yadaya cheroot industry in Bago, U Win Myint of Saw Mill, U Hla Myint-Daw Tin Yi of Ngwe Sabai family, U Thein of Sein Hmyar cheroot industry in Bago and Nila Yoma petrol station in Bago K 200,000 each and other wellwishers K 1.7 million totalling K 30 million and US $ 100,000.

The Secretary-1, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence, Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min and the ministers accepted the donations. Next, the Secretary-1 and party went to the reconstruction site of Kanbawzathadi Palace of King Bayintnaung in Bago.

At the briefing hall, Deputy Director-General of Department of Archaeology U Tun Zaw reported on preservation of ancient artifacts found in excavation of the Kanbawzathadi Palace, construction of Myenan Pyat-thad and measures undertaken for making the palace compound clean and pleasant. Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt gave a supplementary report. Deputy Superintending Engineer of Public Works U Kyi Tun reported on progress of work.

Next, the Secretary-1 gave instructions on speedy construction of the archways, Myenan Pyatthad building and halls, measures undertaken for making the palace compound clean and pleasant, planting trees and flowers on either sides of the road and making efforts under the close supervision the Ministry of Culture. The Secretary-1 then fulfilled the requirements. Next, the Secretary-1 inspected construction of Myenan Pyatthad and gave instructions.

The Secretary-1 and party inspected measures being undertaken for casting of Tanpalawha Maha Muni Bronze Image in front of Bago Degree College near Yangon-Mandalay Highway. Sayadaw of Dhamma Lankara Kyaungtaik Bhad-danta Visuddha explained about the preparations for casting of the bronze image. The Secretary-1 and party paid obeisance to scale model of Buddha Image cast by Tanpawady U Than Daing, Taunggyi U Win Maung and group and gave suggestions. Tanpalawha Maha Muni Bronze Image is 37 feet in height and it weighs 30 tons and it will be cast with the use of Myanma traditional and modern methods. The Secretary-1 then fulfilled the requirements. The Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the evening.

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