Thatbyinnyu Temple: Bagan: Myanmar

 Thatbyinnyu Temple was built by King Alaungsithu between 1113-1163. Thatbyinnyutanyan in Myanmar, Sabbannutanana in Pali mean Omniscience of the Buddha.. or seen in contemporary inscrptions "knowing thoroughly and seeing widely." Beautiful murals are still visible in most of the halls of the temple. It is very large and you can see it from everywhere as you drive around Bagan.

Shwezigon Pagoda: Bagan: Myanmar

One of the most beautiful pagodas in Bagan and one of the largest, Shwezigon Pagoda was built as the most important reliquary (container of relics) shrines in Bagan. The Shwezigon Pagoda was built to enshrine one of four replicas of the Buddha tooth, the original is in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The other 3 tooth replicas were enshrined in Lawkananda Pagoda, a smaller pagoda to the south,  Tan Kyi Tuang Pagoda, a pagoda on the western banks of the Irrawaddy River and the last tooth replica was enshrined into Tu Yuan Taung Pagoda which is on a hill 32km to the east. 

It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity if you visit all four teeth replicas in one day. We did not do this!

All of this for a REPLICA of a tooth, not the original.. that is some strong love and devotion.. and a lot of money being thrown around in the 11th century!

Shwezigon ranks as one of the oldest pagodas in Bagan, it is also known as the site where the 37 pre-Buddhist nats (or spirits) were officially recognized and endorsed by the Myanmar monarchy. There is an outlying shed where the images of the nats can be seen. Most of them are behind glass. A few are not and those are the photos above of the little statues.

The 37 Nats of Burma is a structured system of animistic spirits which is fascinating, read more HERE. & HERE

Bagan: Myanmar

Yangon: Schewdagon Pagoda

The Legend: Two Burmese merchant brothers met the Buddha. The Buddha gave them eight of his hairs to be enshrined in Burma. With the help of several nats (Spirits) and the King, the brothers discovered the hill where the relics of previous Buddhas had been enshrined. A chamber to the keep the relics was built on this sacred spot. When the hairs were taken from their golden casket amazing things happened:

                                          'rays emitted by the Hairs penetrated up to the heavens above and down to hell... the blind beheld

                                           objects.. the deaf heard sounds.. the earth quaked...gems rained down until they were knee deep..

                                           all trees of the Himalaya, though not in season, bore blossoms and fruit.'

Once the relics were enshrined, a golden slab was laid on the chamber and a golden stupa built over it. The stupa fell into ruin until the Indian emperor Asoka, a Buddhist convert, came to Myanmar looking for it. He found it after a long search and had it repaired. 

Archeologists believe it was built during the Bagan Period (between the 6th and 10th centuries). The date 1485 is written near the top of the eastern stairway and tells the story of the Schwedagon in 3 languages Pali, Mon and Burmese.  It was around this time that the tradition of gilding the stupa in gold leaf began. 

The main stupa is the center of attention for most pilgrims. The stupa is completely solid, every inch covered in gold and the upper parts are studded with 1100 diamonds that total 278 carats, plus 1383 other precious stones. At the very top of the spire is the Diamond Orb, a hollow gold sphere studded with 4351 diamonds totaling 1800 carats. On the tip of this orb is a single 76 carat diamond.  You can see pictures of all these gems at a little photo gallery on the grounds. 

One must always walk around stupas Clockwise, so visitors take a left from whichever entrance to the platform they have chosen. The large platform that supports the main stupa contains manty other stupas, prayer halls, sculptures and shrines. 

These are associated with 'Eight Days'.  Each day has an associated planet, direction and animal sign. You use the da you were born. It is believed that Buddha was born on a Wednesday. 

Eight-Day Symbolism at Schwedagon Direction Day Planet Sign S Wed AM Mercury tusked elephant SW Sat Saturn naga W Thu Jupiter rat NW Wed PM Yahu tuskless elephant N Fri Venus guinea pig or mole NE Sun Sun garuda E Mon Moon tiger SE Tue Mars lion

Shwedagon Pagoda: Nuns

Yangon: Schwedagon Pagoda