Maha Muni Buddha Temple | |
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Religion | |
Affiliation | Theravada Buddhism |
Location | |
Country | Mandalay, Mandalay Region, Myanmar (Burma) |
Geographic coordinates | 21°57′6.73″N 96°4′43.03″E / 21.9518694°N 96.0786194°E |
Architecture | |
Founder | King Bodawpaya |
Completed | 1785 (rebuilt, after 1884 fire) |
The Mahamuni Buddha Temple (Burmese: မဟာမုနိရှင်တော်မြတ်ကြီး, Burmese pronunciation: [məhà mṵnḭ pʰəjádʑí]) is a Buddhist temple and major pilgrimage site, located southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma).[1] The Mahamuni Image (lit. 'The Great Sage') is enshrined in this temple, and originally came from Arakan.[2] It is highly venerated in Burma and central to many people's lives, as it is seen as an expression of representing the Buddha's life.[3]
Ancient tradition refers to only five likenesses of the Buddha made during his lifetime; two were in India, two in paradise, and the fifth is the Mahamuni Image in Myanmar.[4] [1][2][5][6][7] Legend holds that the Buddha himself visited the Dhanyawadi city of Arakan in 554 BC.[1] King Sanda Thuriya requested that an image be cast of him. Once complete, the Buddha breathed upon it, and thereafter the image took on his exact likeness.[7]
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