Ananda Buddhist Temple- Myanmar (Burma)

Address

Ananda Buddhist Temple- Old Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

The Ananda Temple located in Bagan, Myanmar is a Buddhist temple built in 1105 AD during the reign (1084–1112/13) of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella known as hti, which is the name of the umbrella or top ornament found in almost all pagodas in Myanmar. The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas, each one facing the cardinal direction of East, North, West and South. The temple is said to be an architectural wonder in a fusion of Mon and adopted Indian style of architecture. The impressive temple has also been titled the “Westminster Abbey of Burma”. The temple has close similarity to the Pathothamya temple. The temple was damaged in the earthquake of 1975. However, it has been fully restored and is well maintained by frequent painting and whitewashing of the walls. On the occasion of 900th anniversary of its construction celebrated in 1990 the temple spires were gilded. It is a highly revered temple of Bagan.

Puranic Significance

History of this perfectly dimensioned temple structure built in 1105 is credited to King Kyansittha. It denotes “the stylistic end of the Early Bagan period and the beginning of the Middle period”. The name Ananda of the temple is derived from the Venerable Ananda, Buddha’s first cousin, personal secretary, one of his many principal disciples and a devout attendant. It was once known as Ananta Temple, coming from the phrase ‘ananta pinya’ in Sanskrit, which translates as “endless wisdom”. However, the word ‘Ānanda’ in Pali, Sanskrit as well as other languages mean “bliss”. The attributes of the Buddha, his infinite wisdom “Anandapinnya in Burmese and Pali” is commemorated in its name ‘Ananda’. The legend associated with building of this temple ended in tragedy for the builders. Eight (8) monks who approached the King Kyansittha seeking alms gave a graphic description of the Nandamula Cave temple in the Himalayas where they had meditated. When the king invited them to the palace to hear more details, the monks invoked their meditative psychic skills and vividly explained to the King, the landscape of the place they had lived. The King, pleased with this show of their skills, requested the monks to build a temple in the middle of the Bagan plains creating cool conditions in the temple. After the monks completed the temple construction, the King, in order to retain the uniqueness of the temple, got the architects (monks) killed to ensure that another similar structure was not built by them anywhere else.

Special Features

The temple structure is in the form of a simple corridor. It has a central square of 53 meters (174 ft); gabled porches project out by 57 feet (17 m) from each face of the square. The four terraces lead to the top, where it terminates in a small pagoda and an umbrella known as hti, which is the name of the top ornament found in almost all pagodas in Myanmar. The core part of the temple, at the centre of the terraces, is in the shape of a cube, which houses the four standing Buddha massive statues on its four faces, each of 9.5 meters (31 ft)height (above a 8 feet (2.4 m) high throne). Buddhas The four standing Buddhas are adorned with gold leaf and each Buddha image faces a direction, from north to south, stated to represent attainment of a state of nirvana; each is given a specific name. • Standing Buddha – Kassapa – South facing • Standing Buddha – Kakusandha – North facing • Standing Buddha – Konagamana – East facing • Standing Buddha – Gautama – West facing Out of the four images, the images facing north and south are said to be original, of the Bagan-style depicting the dhammachakka mudra, a hand position symbolizing the Buddha’s first sermon, while the other two images are new replacements, after the originals were destroyed by fires. All the four images are made of solid teak wood. Plaques Plaques are a special feature in the temple complex, which depict jataka tales; each plaque made of glazed Terra-cotta tiles representing one story of the jataka. Plethora of plaques is seen on the temple walls and terraces (five numbers). Stone images The stone sculptures, in the outer vaulted corridors, are considered unique in Bagan. 1500 stone images (mostly unclear due to wear and tear) are seen inside the temple.

Festivals

The temple is also home to an annual week-long festival that is held during the month of Pyahto (December to January). During the festival, 1000 monks perform continuous chanting of scriptures for 72 hours. Thousands of villagers from miles around set up encampments around the temple. On the morning of the full moon day, they offer gift bowls to the monks in attendance.