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Thanboddhay Pagoda is the major tourist attraction of Monywa. The main stupa contains 582363 Buddha images of all sizes row upon row in ascending tiers in niches both interior and exterior walls.

According to the plaque erected here: "construction of this Sambuddhe (Sambodhi) Kat Kyaw Pagoda was commenced by the Sayadawgyi of Mohnyin Tawya in 1301 B.E. [C.E. 1939] and completed in 1313 B.E. [C.E. 1951] on attainment of the 80th year of his age."

The base of the pagoda is open to visitors. Along the long corridors are large seated and standing Buddha images on pedestals wearing golden robes. The walls and pillars contain dozens of ascending rows of niches that enshrine small Buddha images. The pagoda is said to house over 582,363 images of the Buddha.

Ananda

Thanboddhay is the only pagoda with this unique shape in the whole country. The square temple base (each side about 166 feet, 50.6m) which worshippers can enter is topped by receding terraces with myriads of small stupas (864 in number) surrounding the central golden chedi.

Historical Buddha still known as Gautama Buddha has accumulated ten principal virtues in three fold efforts to attain Buddhahood. Reincarnated from one life form to another, striving to attain such state without verbal expression is, unimaginable;The ten principal virtues are generosity, self-restraint, solitude, learning, effort, true expression, forbearance, cherishing, detachment and resolution. Role playing in literally all walks of life, these virtues were accumulated.

The thought manifests as the word; the word manifests as the deed; the deed develops into habit; and habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care, and let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings.

The Buddha

Ānanda was one of the principal disciples and a devout attendant of the Buddha. Amongst the Buddha's many disciples, Ānanda had the most retentive memory and most of the suttas in the Sutta Pitaka are attributed to his recollection of the Buddha's teachings during the First Buddhist Council. For that, he was known as the Guardian of the Dharma.According to the Buddha every Buddha in the past and to come will have two chief disciples and one attendant during his ministry. In the case of Gautama Buddha the pair of disciples were Sariputta and Mahamoggallana and the attendant Ānanda.

Text: Internet

Pictures: Sanda Foişoreanu & Internet

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound Mar Mar Aye - The Buddha's Eight Conquests