In a move to showcase unity and prosperity, the military-controlled government of Myanmar has built a giant standing Buddha statue in the capital, Naypyitaw. The 228-acre site, which includes small pagodas, ordination halls, rest houses, and lakes, is a symbol of the country’s efforts to promote Theravada Buddhism and ensure peace and stability. The statue, which is said to be the world’s highest sitting marble Buddha image, is 24.7 meters high and weighs over 5,000 tonnes. It is carved in the traditional cultural style of the Yadanabon dynasty.
The project was supervised by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is also the patron of the project, and was initiated by General Than Shwe in 2017. Than Shwe handed over a giant piece of raw marble rock to the military government, which was used to build the statue. The project is seen as a way to promote Myanmar as a focal point of Theravada Buddhism and to contribute to world peace and stability.
The construction of the statue is part of a larger effort by the military government to promote Buddhism and gain popularity among the public. The generals who seized power in 2021 have been engaged in battles covering much of the country, and the construction of the statue is seen as a way to win hearts and minds. The project is also a symbol of the military government’s alliance with right-wing monks who share their views and have their own followings.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (Via Min Aung Hlaing/Twitter)
The new statue is a significant addition to Myanmar’s already impressive collection of Buddhist monuments, including the famous Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon. The construction of the statue is a costly endeavor, and its completion is seen as a major achievement by the military government. The statue’s consecration is scheduled to take place on August 1, and it is expected to be a major event in Naypyitaw.
The giant Buddha statue is a symbol of Myanmar’s efforts to promote Theravada Buddhism and ensure peace and stability in the country. The project is seen as a way to showcase unity and prosperity, and its completion is expected to be a significant event in Myanmar’s history.
