Manuha Temple (1240/ 575)

Manuha Buddha Image(1240/ 575)

This image is sheltered in a temple that stands near Myin Kaba village. It was made in A.D. 1067 by a Mon king named Manuha. The lithic inscription which recorded its history is now kept in the shed inside the Mandalay Palace City. According to that inscription the Manuha Buddha Image was made and dedicated by Manuha, king of Thaton. His regnal title was
“Thiritivavanaditya pavara thudhamma raja.

“The king sold his ruby ring named ” Mano Maya” to the rich man of Myin Kaba who paid six bullock carts load of fine pure silver as price for it. With that money the king made a big Buddha on a highland named “Thiri Zeya Bumi” which was on the north-east of Loka Nanda, the jetty where the sacred Buddha’s tooth relic arrived. He did this religious merit in cause he wished to attain Nivirna. But before attaining Nivirna, during the course of Samsara (Cycle of endless rebirths) he wished he would also be king whom enemies could never conquer.

The inscription goes on to mention that on Thursday the second waxing moon of the month of Wakhaung in the Sakarit year 429 (M. E) sacred relics were enshrined in the Image. The image of the Buddha entering Nivirna (dying Buddha) was made. It took 6 months and 6 days to complete the Image making. Around the Image were grown coconut, palm, mango, and jack fruit trees and flowering plants which the king dedicated to the sacred Image. Facing east are three immense images of sitting Buddha. The middle image is 46 loot high whereas the two on its sides, each measuring 33 feet in height. At their back, facing west lies an incumbent. Buddha statue of 90 feet long, with the head laid towards the north. It is in Pari-nivirna mudra (dying posture).

The 1975 earthquake caused the eastern roof of the image house collapse, damaging the head of the central image. They have been restored by Archeology Department. These three images are so big and massive that it looks as if they had been pressed into narrow chambers.

Glimpse of Glorious Bagan, Universities Historical Research Centre, Yangon, Myanmar, The University Press, 1996

Pictorial Guide to Pagan, Ministry of Culture, Yangon, Myanmar, The Printing and Publish Corporation, Reprint 1975

The Pagodas and Monuments of Bagan, Vol. 1, Translated by Dr Khin Maung Nyunt, Ministry of Information, Yangon, Myanmar, Graphic Training Centre (G.T.C), 1995

The Pagodas and Monuments of Bagan , Vol. 2, English Text by Dr Khin Maung Nyunt, Ministry of Information, Yangon, Myanmar, Graphic Training Centre (G.T.C), 1998

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