| Type of monument |
: Brick Monastery |
| Location |
: West of Hnget Pyit Taung Compound |
| Region |
: Nyaung U & Wetkyi-In |
| Built by |
: King Anawrahta |
| Date |
: 11th Century |
| Monument Number |
: |
Shin Arahan, the most vulnerable monk of
Bagan period, was a native of Thatone known as Suvannabhumi. His
ordained name was Shin Dhammadasi. Having accomplished the
learning of Tipitaka (the three books of Buddha’s teachings) and
later on attained the Arahathood, he became to be well-known as
Shin Arahan. During the year of A.D 1053, Shin Arahan came from
Thatone to Bagan to carry out religious missionary work. He
dwelt in a solitary hermitage in a glade not too far from Bagan.
When Shin Arahan, the most vulnerable monk
from Thaton came to Bagan, King Anawrahta who had long been
desirous of embracing the true Faith of Theravada Buddhism, was
so delighted and he so revered the most vulnerable that he built
a place for him. This monastery was built at a place called
“Hnget Pyit Taung” where the monk could reside in peace and
harmony. The monastery was a complex of a wooden building and a
brick structure. The monastery had height of 21 feet, length of
85 feet, width of 56 feet. The wall forming the compound was 119
feet East-West and 117 feet North-South.
THE MAIN PRAYER HALL AND IMAGE OF SHIN
ARAHAN
In front of the brick structure was a Dhamma
Sala or a Preaching Hall. This preaching hall was built out of
teak, with 24 main teak columns, posted on a brick platform, and
embellished with ornate wood carvings. It has a two-tired roof
and on both sides of the main hall, were shed-roofed annexes. In
this Dhamma Sala, Shin Arahan preached the Teachings of Buddha
to the audience. On the immediate back of the Dhamma Sala was
the brick monastery or the Vihara, were Shin Arahan resided and
meditated. There were two entrances connecting the Dhamma Sala
and the Vihara. The hipped-roof of the Vihara was the typical
style of the Bagan time.
Due to the weather, earthquake and time, the whole complex had
fallen into ruins and had been in that state for several years.
The complex was later reconstructed as the original model and
maintained.
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