Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung, the Thousands Bodhi Tree Monastery – Myanmar
Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung is a renowned monastery located in the Monywa Town, Sagaing Region of Myanmar (Burma). The iconic feature of the monastery is the second tallest standing Buddha statue in the world, with the name of Lay Kyun Sakkya. The religious site also contains thousands of Buddha statues in various sizes, a giant reclining Buddha statue, a magnificent stupa, and thousands of Bodhi trees that were planted by its founder, the late Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Sayadaw Venerable Narada. A large seated Buddha statue is currently being constructed, which will be the world’s largest seated Buddha statue when complete.
Founder
Venerable Narada was the founding Sayadaw (chief abbot) of the great monastery, Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung on May 5, 1960. He was born on January 31, 1931 in Ywa-kyat village, Ayadaw Town, Sagaing region. At the age of just five, he started to study Buddhist literature, and he was initiated into monk novicehood at the age of 13. His ordained name was Shin Narada, and he received his Buddhist education at many famous monasteries in Monywa, Chaung-U, Pakokku and Mandalay towns. Venerable Narada passed into clear light on November 22, 2006. Since his passing, a total of five chief abbots have succeeded him according to his will, and it was also his will for the seated Buddha to be constructed.
Sayadaw Venerable Narada was the one who planted the thousands of Bodhi trees at the Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung. He built countless pagodas and Buddha statues including the giant standing Buddha and the giant reclining Buddha, which propelled the monastery to become one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in Myanmar. He is also known as Bodhi Tahtaung Sayadaw, which means 1,000 Bodhi Trees Abbot.
Giant Standing Buddha
Lay Kyun Sakkya
The Lay Kyun Sakkya standing Buddha statue is the second tallest Buddha statue in the world, at a staggering height of 126 metres (413 feet), and it can be seen from several kilometres away. The statue was completed in 2008, and the construction took 12 years to complete. It became a sacred place of worship for local people from then onwards. The Buddha is dressed in a golden robe, and the statue is hollow. There are 31 floors in the statue, representing the number of planes of existence according to the Buddha’s teachings. Anyone can access the 31 stories by climbing up the stairs; there is no elevator inside the building.
Each of the levels is decorated with more Buddha statues, and murals depicting Buddha’s teachings. The first few levels are unique because they are decorated with paintings that depict the hell realms in the Buddha’s teachings, where each of our action will result in a specific form of suffering in the hell realms. They remind visitors to avoid negative actions by showing them the direct consequences of their actions according to the law of karma.
Giant Reclining Buddha
Giant Reclining Buddha
The giant reclining Buddha statue lies in front of the giant standing Buddha statue. It has a length of 101 metres (333 feet) and a width of 18 metres (60 feet). The construction of the statue was completed in 1991; it is one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in the world. The reclining Buddha is dressed in a golden robe and rests on a golden pedestal, portraying the historical Buddha on the eve of entering into parinirvana. The statue is hollow, and visitors can walk into its interior, where the great historical Buddha’s chronicle is on display.
Aung Sakkya Pagoda
Aung Sakkya Pagoda
Aung Sakkya Pagoda can be found at the base of the hill where the giant standing Buddha and reclining Buddha statues are located. Construction of the pagoda was completed in 1979; it is 70 metres (229 feet) high. It has a white base and a golden stupa that is crowned with a hti—an auspicious finial ornament that can be found on top of most Burmese pagodas. This pagoda is surrounded by over a thousand small satellite pagodas enshrining images of Lord Buddha. Visitors can visit the dome of the stupa by walking up the stairs which is located outside of the stupa, or they can go via the hollow walkway inside the stupa.
The base of the hill near the pagoda is filled with thousands of bodhi trees that were planted by Venerable Narada. Under every tree, there is an image of the historical Buddha seated in meditation pose on a pedestal protected by an umbrella. This is how the monastery got its name, Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung which means a thousand great bodhi trees.
How to Get There
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Address: Monywa Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar
Opening Hours: Daily from 8am – 8pm
Entrance fee: USD 3 (RM12) per person
The monastery is located around 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) south-east of Monywa township. From the centre of the town, one can travel on road 71 south for about 10 kilometres (6 miles). Then, turn left towards the Thanboddhay Paya and Monywa Technological University. The monastery is located at the end of the road. A ride by tuk-tuk from downtown Monywa will take around 45 minutes to reach.
More Pictures of Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Temple Complex
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The Thousands Bodhi Tree Monastery in Myanmar is one of the must to visit attractions when travelling to Myanmar. This iconic feature of the monastery is the second tallest standing Buddha statue in the world. The temples are built very beautiful and spectacular.
Thank you for the sharing, I am blessed to see this holy site of Bodhi trees Buddha, the Giant Reclining Buddha, Aung Sakkya Pagoda, and other large Buddha Images in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar.
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Besides the Giant Standing Buddha, Giant Reclining Buddha and the Aung Sakkya Pagoda, it is most impressive to see the thousand smaller Buddha statues underneath thousands of bodhi trees that were planted by Venerable Narada. Under every tree, the Buddha images are seated in meditation pose on a pedestal protected by an umbrella. This is how the monastery got its name, Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung which means a thousand great bodhi trees. Thank you for this sharing.
Wow amazing, there are so many huge Buddha statues and stupas in Ta Htaung monastery. Would be good to visit this monastery and see the great architecture. The statues are so grand and I like the idea of having mural in the Buddha statues telling story of Buddha and other realms. Good form of education and dharma knowledge to everyone who visit this holy place. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article.
Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung is a renowned monastery located in the Monywa Town, Sagaing Region of Myanmar (Burma). The iconic feature of the monastery is the second tallest standing Buddha statue in the world, with the name of Lay Kyun Sakkya. Beautiful and very interesting Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Monasstery. Love the cute Buddha statues under the Bodhi trees.? Love the Majestic Giant Standing Buddha and Giant Reclining Buddha. Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this very beautiful Monastery ?????
Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung is a famous Buddhist region and monastery located in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar once call Burma. The Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung monastery near the town of Monywa is known for its two enormous images of the Buddha on a hill. It is famous for the Giant Standing Buddha statue, the second tallest in the world. Well it seem the mural paintings in every floor for each Realm are very interesting and famous for locals and tourist across the globe. It somehow has become one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in Myanmar. Interesting read .
I have not visited Myanmar before but would love to as I heard a lot of the beauty of those amazing monasteries.
Thank you Rinpoche for beautiful sharing.