| Maha Bodhi Tahtaung | |
| Map Type: | Burma |
| Location: | Monywa Township, Sagaing Region |
| Coordinates: | 22.0802°N 95.2892°W |
| Religious Affiliation: | Theravada Buddhism |
| Country: | Myanmar |
| Founded By: | U Narada |
Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung (Burmese: မဟာဗောဓိတထောင်,) is a Buddhist religious complex located in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar (Burma).[1] It is known for the Giant Standing Buddha statue, the third tallest in the world, and for the Great Attitudes of U Narãda, who built the monastery. This Sāsana (religious) site contains thousands of Buddha statues beneath thousands of Bo trees, the Giant Reclining Buddha Statue, Aung Sekkya Stupa, and other large Buddha statues. Currently, a Sitting Buddha Statue, which is expected to become the world's largest Sitting Buddha Statue, is in construction. Many Buddhist monks can study the Buddhist Pariyatti literature at the monastery. Moreover, meditation centres or Vipassãnā centres are opened at this monastic site both for monks and laypersons.
Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung was founded by Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Sayadaw Ven Nārada on 5 May 1960. He planted thousands of Bo trees throughout his life on recalling the Buddha attained beneath the Bo tree in Bodh Gaya, India. He started to plant them on a plot, with Nan Oo Sayadaw, the grandson of King Mindon, at 8.55 AM on 6 May 1960. Bo trees hold religious significance for Buddhists since it is the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
Before he reached this monastery, the monastery was just a small one for Khatakkan villagers. Now, the 15acres Bodhi Ta Htaung (One Thousand Bo Trees) Auspicious Ground has been extended to a 250acres area that has more than 9,000 Bo trees. The monastery is noted in Myanmar and around the world for its many thousands of Bodhi trees.
See main article: Laykyun Sekkya. Built in 1995, the Laykyun Sekkya Buddha statue is 1160NaN0 high with thirty one floors, referring to the 31 planes of existence or 31 Realms of Life Cycle according to Buddhist literatures. The mural paintings in every floor for each Realm are very interesting and famous. The pedestal is 13.50NaN0 high. It is the second-tallest Buddha statue in the world after the Spring Temple Buddha in China. Construction of the statue was finished in 2008.[2] [3] On Banda vah mountain in Bodhi Tahtaung monastery, a Sitting Buddha statue is also being built for completing the last desire of Sayadawgyi, U Nārada.[4]
The Reclining Buddha Statue was built on 8 January 1991. It has a length of 101.50NaN0 and a width of 18.30NaN0. It is hollow inside the statue and the Great Chronicles of Buddha are displayed.
Built in 1979, the Aung Sekkya was modeled after the Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon. At 690NaN0, the pagoda is about two thirds the size of the Shwedagon. People can walk up the outside stairs or walk through the hollow walkway inside the stupa in to the dome of the stupa.
The site is led by a chief abbot known as a sayadaw. The founding abbot, Ven. Narada, died in Mandalay on 22 November 2006. Since his demise, five Chief sayadaws have succeeded him as the Nāyaka Sayadaws according to his will.