29 June 2023
A ceremony to explain the progress in erecting the Maravijaya Buddha Image, which will become the tallest stone Buddha Statue in the seated posture in the world, in Maravijaya Buddha Park, Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, Union Territory, was held this morning.
The Senior General explained that for long-term endurance and existence of the Buddha Image, systematic measurements from the engineering point of view were made to lay a foundation capable of holding 20,000 tons in weight, to bear a storm with the 120 mph wind speed and an earthquake with 8.8 on the Richter scale as well as to protect the Buddha Image from thunderstorms.
Bored piles were built for construction of 20,000 tons capacity of structure for the Buddha image. Parts of thrones were conveyed and connected one another systematically. Parts of the throne were carved with the use of CNC machines, he said.
The land plot for the image was systematically calculated with the seeking advice from members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, the Senior General said.
The Buddha image is carved with a nine feet high sample image under the advice of Sayadaws. The parts of the image were carved with the use of CNC machines.
Modern technologies were applied in connecting parts of the Maravijaya Buddha image. These parts of the image were lifted up by Myanmar Engineering Society and Military Engineers’ Corps without any foreign experts.
The Image is being curved in accord with the Yadanabon period Bumiphassa posture, which was found to be the best design of the past successive periods. The country lost independence in 1885, and fell into an age of darkness beginning from 1 January 1886. The country regained independence only in 1948. The nation lost its culture under colonialism. Hence, Yadanabon design was chosen as the last relic of its civilization, the Senior General said.
It has been three years and 15 days long since the jewelled stake was driven for construction of the Buddha Image.
Then, the Senior General received donations in cash from the attendees for building the Buddha Image and Buddha Park.
At the ceremony held today, 101 attendees donated Ks-16.177 billion in total.
