Myanmar - World's largest reclining Buddha

This Buddha, "Zinathuka Yan Aung Chantha" is being constructed in south Myanmar and is reputedly the world's largest reclining Buddha. It is at Mudon, in Win Sein Taw Ya Forest, about 29 km south, 20 minutes drive south of Mawlamyine (Moulmein) in Mon state. Never having seen a hollow Buddha before I was a bit bemused by the whole thing, just the fact that you can go inside and walk around the different levels, and look out of the windows in Buddha's nostrils etc.

view from the entrance

A Buddha being painted

20 minuntes later it was finished

 It is said to be 180 m long, and nearly 34 m high. Inside are 8 storeys, containing about 182 rooms. The Buddha is resting against the hill, so is not easy to see from a distance. The hillside already has several Buddhas and hundreds of chedis and pagodas, including one large standing and one large seated Buddha, and down the road they have just started the contstruction of a huge Buddha sitting in a rubber plantation.

As you turn into the area, there is the inevitable line of stone monks collecting alms alongside the road.

However these don't go up to the new Buddha, but turn off half way and apparently will go all the way up the hill to the top, where the monastery is. This is where the chief monk resides.

Steps lead upto the entrance area, and more steps lead to the main hall inside.

entrance hall

lower level

Even though it is a construction site you still have to remove your shoes to enter. Inside are 8 storeys and staircases connect them. Each level has lots of rooms, each packed with statues depicting scenes from Buddhism, but few are finished yet.

scenes from hell

 I went up and up and eventually I reached the upper level.

ooking out along Buddha's stomach

the back side, looks like an old fort

It felt like being in the inverted hull of a ship with the small windows. I reached the apex of the top level and found a small hole which the workmen were using to gain access to the outside -

 It was rather alarming to see the cracks in the pillars and ceiling and to see the poor workmanship. There are no safety barriers for visitors or the workmen.

I love the eyelashes

 

note the windows in the nostrils



note the standing Buddha on hill

The statue was started around 2000, but progress has been slow. One problem is the lack of water in the dry season for concrete. There is still no electricity inside.

lots of windows

© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission