Difference between revisions of "Shite-thaung Temple"
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| − | The''' [[Shai-thaung Temple]]''' (Rakhine and [[Burmese]]: ရှစ်သောင်းဘုရား; MLCTS: hrac saung bhu. ra:, Rakhine pronunciation: [ʃaɪʔθáʊɴ pʰəɹá]; also spelled Shitthaung, [ʃɪʔθáʊɴ pʰəjá]) is a famous [[temple]] in Mrauk U. The [[name]] means '[[Temple | + | The''' [[Shai-thaung Temple]]''' (Rakhine and [[Burmese]]: ရှစ်သောင်းဘုရား; MLCTS: hrac saung bhu. ra:, Rakhine pronunciation: [ʃaɪʔθáʊɴ pʰəɹá]; also spelled Shitthaung, [ʃɪʔθáʊɴ pʰəjá]) is a famous [[temple]] in Mrauk U. |
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| + | The [[name]] means '[[Temple of 80,000 Buddha Images]]', and is also known as the '[[Temple of Victory]]'. | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
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| − | It is typical of the many [[Buddhist temples]] found in [[Burma]]: a central bell-shaped [[stupa]], surrounded by four smaller [[stupas]] at the corners, and a multitude of even-smaller [[stupas]] surrounding them. At the [[east]] of the [[temple]], there is a recent (though about 75 years old) addition of a flight of stairs and tazaung. | + | The [[temple]] was built in 1535–1536 by [[King]] [[Min Bin]] to commemorate his conquest of {{Wiki|Bengal}}. |
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| + | It is located on the [[western]] face of [[Pokhaung Hill]], [[north]] of the {{Wiki|Royal}} Palace, and adjacent to the Andaw-thein [[Temple]]. | ||
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| + | It is typical of the many [[Buddhist temples]] found in [[Burma]]: a central bell-shaped [[stupa]], surrounded by four smaller [[stupas]] at the corners, and a multitude of even-smaller [[stupas]] surrounding them. | ||
| + | |||
| + | At the [[east]] of the [[temple]], there is a recent (though about 75 years old) addition of a flight of stairs and tazaung. | ||
There is a central hall at the [[heart]] of the [[temple]], which can be easily accessed. Hundreds of [[Buddha statues]] line the main hall, some of them in their original positions, others moved from nearby excavation sites. | There is a central hall at the [[heart]] of the [[temple]], which can be easily accessed. Hundreds of [[Buddha statues]] line the main hall, some of them in their original positions, others moved from nearby excavation sites. | ||
| − | However, the Shitthaung's most prominent feature is not the central hall, but rather the three layers of maze-like corridors that encircle the main hall. | + | However, the [[Shitthaung's]] most prominent feature is not the central hall, but rather the three layers of maze-like corridors that encircle the main hall. |
| − | The three corridors contain countless reliefs of [[Buddhas]], [[Bodhisattvas]], [[Kings]] of [[Spiritual]] [[abodes]], [[Devas]], [[guardian spirits]], the 550 [[Jatakas]], Arakanese {{Wiki|culture}} and [[animals]], both real and [[mythical]]. | + | The three corridors contain countless reliefs of [[Buddhas]], [[Bodhisattvas]], [[Kings]] of [[Spiritual]] [[abodes]], [[Devas]], [[guardian spirits]], the 550 [[Jatakas]], [[Arakanese]] {{Wiki|culture}} and [[animals]], both real and [[mythical]]. |
| + | |||
| + | The [[Shite-thaung temple]] is the main [[attraction]] of Mrauk U. Adjacent to it lies another famous [[temple]], the [[Htukkanthein Temple]] ([[Htukkan Ordination Hall]]). | ||
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==Weather damage== | ==Weather damage== | ||
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Due to Mrauk U's tropical location, much of its [[temples]] have been damaged by the {{Wiki|monsoon}} [[rain]]. It was discovered in 2003 that the central [[stupa]] had begun to leak, dissolving away some of the intricate [[statues]] in the two chambers. | Due to Mrauk U's tropical location, much of its [[temples]] have been damaged by the {{Wiki|monsoon}} [[rain]]. It was discovered in 2003 that the central [[stupa]] had begun to leak, dissolving away some of the intricate [[statues]] in the two chambers. | ||
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To prevent this, the local {{Wiki|archaeological}} department hastily poured concrete over the [[stupas]]. | To prevent this, the local {{Wiki|archaeological}} department hastily poured concrete over the [[stupas]]. | ||
| − | This prevented the [[statues]] inside from being destroyed, but it also destroyed the outer [[appearance]] of the [[temple]], which was the focal [[pagoda]] to most of the northern Arakanese. | + | This prevented the [[statues]] inside from being destroyed, but it also destroyed the outer [[appearance]] of the [[temple]], which was the focal [[pagoda]] to most of the northern [[Arakanese]]. |
| − | Many Arakanese | + | Many Arakanese criticize "the defacing" of their most treasured [[temple]], but since it was the only way to prevent the more [[precious]] carvings inside, the [[actions]] have not been as widely condemned as expected.[citation needed] |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Pilgrimages]] | [[Category:Buddhist Pilgrimages]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:12, 4 February 2016
The Shai-thaung Temple (Rakhine and Burmese: ရှစ်သောင်းဘုရား; MLCTS: hrac saung bhu. ra:, Rakhine pronunciation: [ʃaɪʔθáʊɴ pʰəɹá]; also spelled Shitthaung, [ʃɪʔθáʊɴ pʰəjá]) is a famous temple in Mrauk U.
The name means 'Temple of 80,000 Buddha Images', and is also known as the 'Temple of Victory'.
History
The temple was built in 1535–1536 by King Min Bin to commemorate his conquest of Bengal.
It is located on the western face of Pokhaung Hill, north of the Royal Palace, and adjacent to the Andaw-thein Temple.
It is typical of the many Buddhist temples found in Burma: a central bell-shaped stupa, surrounded by four smaller stupas at the corners, and a multitude of even-smaller stupas surrounding them.
At the east of the temple, there is a recent (though about 75 years old) addition of a flight of stairs and tazaung.
There is a central hall at the heart of the temple, which can be easily accessed. Hundreds of Buddha statues line the main hall, some of them in their original positions, others moved from nearby excavation sites.
However, the Shitthaung's most prominent feature is not the central hall, but rather the three layers of maze-like corridors that encircle the main hall.
The three corridors contain countless reliefs of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Kings of Spiritual abodes, Devas, guardian spirits, the 550 Jatakas, Arakanese culture and animals, both real and mythical.
The Shite-thaung temple is the main attraction of Mrauk U. Adjacent to it lies another famous temple, the Htukkanthein Temple (Htukkan Ordination Hall).
Weather damage
Due to Mrauk U's tropical location, much of its temples have been damaged by the monsoon rain. It was discovered in 2003 that the central stupa had begun to leak, dissolving away some of the intricate statues in the two chambers.
To prevent this, the local archaeological department hastily poured concrete over the stupas.
This prevented the statues inside from being destroyed, but it also destroyed the outer appearance of the temple, which was the focal pagoda to most of the northern Arakanese.
Many Arakanese criticize "the defacing" of their most treasured temple, but since it was the only way to prevent the more precious carvings inside, the actions have not been as widely condemned as expected.[citation needed]
