The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

The First worshippers to Holy and Fresh Buddha

Our Lord, Buddha spent the time in holy power wealth and the state
wealth of fruition on following the right path leading to Nirvana, holy staying at
the holy seven centers on each seven days making focus from holy golden throne
and holy Maha Bodi Banyan tree after the enlightenment. The last date of 49 days
is the 5th waxing of the moon of Waso Wednesday in Maha year 103. On that
sacred day, two lucky traders, Tapussa and Bhallika from Okkalapa city, Dagon
Division arrived at the tree under which the Buddha attains enlightenment,
Mahabodi Banyan tree near Uruweila forest with 500 followers by bullock carts.
Those carts could not go forward near here eventhough they traveled a lot
on voyage and in land by trading. Two traders offered the forest guardians with
the offerings by apologizing. At that time, One of the Devas, ex-relative of their
came to them in power to be seen and gave gifted direction to worship Buddha
who had just got the enlightenment. Then, they reached at the holy near by
Buddha getting the enlightenment at the center of LinLun tree.
The great wonder was incomparable and unbelievable for the two traders
when they saw the powerful brilliant colours of holy lights through Buddha
Godama. With the infinity charity and generosity they donated offerings with the
honey snack made of butter, honey and molasses and crispy snack as “holy soon”.
At that time the Lord Buddha pressed with the holy hand stepping 4
sassana bowls coloured like mung bean donated by 4 kingDevas of Catumaha
raja. In that holy bowl the Buddha took “the snack soon” offered by two traders
who are the first worshippers, Myanmar people and the most wonderful.

The first holy meal to Buddha by Myanmar

Buddha didn’t have any meal including water in the whole period for 49
days at all seven sacred places since Buddha life. The first holy soon is the meal
donated by two traders. Here Myanmar are noticed as the first Buddhists
distinctively. So Myanmar is honourable to be the first Buddhists and the first
donaters.
Tapussa and Bhallika took the holy rhyme “Buddham Saranam Gaccami”
“Dhammam Saranam Gaccami” which were just 2 sacred glories of Buddha’s
enlightenment power and kept the five precepts (silas). By seeing this, Myanmar
is also the first starters for worshipping the powerful glory and keeping precepts.
That time was not flourishing for Sarigha yet.

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Later, when the Buddha kept the great love to stay in Rajagyo city, the
two traders worshipped again luckily and got the preaches by Buddha where as
Tapussa became Ariya of first stage and Bhallika got the life of monk and became
SalaBinya Arahat.

The first holy hair relic

Due to the sacred request to worship by Tapussa and Bhallika, The Lord
Buddha scanned the holiest head with right hand on holiness eight strings of hair
as relics had been got sacredly by two traders for foreseeing of Sassana future
through Buddha’s practical heritage.
The Buddha made preordainment of events to build the pagoda
enshrining the first 3 Buddhas holy furniture from Singuttara land scape including
Buddha Gotama’s holy hair relics and to worship in their native region.
When all the hair relics were put on the heads of two traders, all the
whole hills and mountains possessed the sacred colours of the lights and were full
of grace. The ground of there shook violently and surrounding area of Ocean had
got the high waves like tide at the same time.
The Indra the Lord of the first and second levels of existence of the devas,
created ruby casket to place the 8 Buddha’s hair relics inside, and then building
with a tiered roof decorated with the nine precious stones i, e ruby, pearl, coral,
emerald, topaz, diamond, sapphire, garnet and cat’s eye to put the ruby casket in
Two traders respected the ruby casket putting on their head and returned by 500
carts.
The traders, with great respect, didn’t deal their trading and business.
And on the great satisfaction, they donated all on the way. Their ways on return
were by carts to the river side or jetty about 200 miles far from “ Maha Bodi tree
centre “ attaining Buddha’s enlightenment and by golden boat which was created
by Indra, the Lord of Devas.

A journey to “Phayoneka”
For a drop, they reached akouk jetty , Izzattanazara city on the island of
Zehtadipa located at the island of the northern part among 3 islands of
Phayoneka isles in the distance of 10 miles of south-east of “Sittwe” which is
beyond kalatan river called “kissapanadi river” . The king of Zehtadipa Island and
islanders met and carried the hair relics on the great respect. The king and his
great royality’s people who had seen the sacred brilliant colours of graceful holy
relics got the great satisfaction and requested to give them from two traders.
However, the two traders didn’t dare to hand over any others because they got

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

them directly by the Buddha on their previous gifted virtue. Moreover, the king
who had strong wishes to get dominated and took 2 relics of the holy hair to
worship. So, the two traders had to give up and continued their journey.

The king of the Dragon with hair relic illegally

In Maha Myanmar Era 103, same as 544 BC, on 11th Waso, waxing of the
moon , the two traders golden boat reached at the cape of
“Nagarajmaw” .(Pathein Maw Tin Soon at the present time ) . Because of the loss
of hair relics in Zehtadipa Island the two traders got regret and they didn’t want
to stop there in reality. But, according to the bad and awful weather they were
afraid to lose the hair relics again. At last they obliged to stay for one night. At
that night all the wale creatures and their holy ones had to worship the sacred
lights of graceful colours spreading brilliantly from ruby casket. At that time,
dragon assuming form of human being lad took in order to worship and offered
the two sacred hair relics to the king dragon, “ Zeyathena “ . The two traders
mourned due to the loss of hair relics again.
They continued their journey supposing fro delights without, worry on the
relics only if they’d arrived at Okkalapa, their native Dagon city

The greatest hill “konday”

On Sunday Maha Myanmar Era 103 (544 BC) 14th waso waxing of the
moon, they reached at “Danyawatti called Hapinn (kathitoin jetty or Hapint now)
the jetty of “Pokkharawatti City” “konday”, (meant as Mon language = kon =
village, Day = hill) hilly village was located about 6 miles at the distance with
north of jetty, now, “Tuntay “, where there was Shwe San Taw Pagoda. The
building with a tiered roof decorated with nine precious stones was carried
respectively and the Buddha’s hair relic was worshipped by holding the
ceremonies for the whole week.

Okkalapa king’s worshipping

Tapussa and Bhallika sent the summon to the Okkalapa king in Naypyidaw
(in the palace) about the bringing of the sacred hair relics and presented all
respectively to his royalty. The king claimed gladly that he was no two kings in
this world to have a chance to worship the father of two brothers, Thuwunna boss,
they arranged to welcome sacredly the relics.

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On Saturday, 5th day of waso past over full moon day, Maha Myanmar Era 103,
the hair relics were worshipped at the jeel pavilion built purposely at the jetty by
welcoming with 1000 military officers in big military ceremonies, from okkalapa
jetty (Now the place of Botahtaung Pagoda ) carried by the golden ship.
According to the presentation on highness of two brothers, the king let
them to explain in detail when his highness knew the loss about the 4 relics of
hair strings. The two brothers concentrated that they have nothing but only
Buddha. And they made a great solemn swearing truth “May all the hair relics
have original strings if it was true that they were given by the Buddha to worship
according to the preordainment of events by Buddha”, by worshipping.
After then when they opened the ruby casket, they had to worship very
delightedly all 8 hair strings of relics. The king including people made paying
great respect with the ceremony for 6 months to the relics at the jewel pavillion.

The great land plot of Singuttara

The king okkalapa managed to revere the pagoda enshrining the hair relics.
But, they didn’t know the land of Singuttara. Therefore, they tried to know the
place of Singuttara through the skilfult hunters, the king’s servants and the old-
aged ones. Singuttara land was so forested that they couldn’t find the great place.

The power helper Indra

The powerful father of king okkalapa, Indra, lord of Devas knew about it
by power lord Deva sent Vithakyune Deva and gave duty.
The legend of the king okkalapa and lord Indra was that once upon the
time, a hermit who was practicing for Nirvana at Singuttara land plucked a big
bud of mangrove from mangrove tree at the bank of the river. At the right time, a
girl was born in a process of birth out of foam from that Mangrove bud when that
girl grew up, she was named as “Mailamu” (same meaning as Mangrove) The
Lord Indra who had foreseen the gifted – inherited – generation and near – future
– Sassana – prospect assumed form of human being and married with that young
girl on request from the hermit.
Mailamu got the conception by having holy water given by Lord of Devas.
At the worthy time, a boy was born by Mailamu. At the grown-up time, the father
Lord Indra of devas oet the son on the management of his power to rule the
country as an okkalapa king.
Vithakyune Deva came to the human being life by power and cleared all
forested Singuttara land and cleaned.On the other hand Tapussa and Bhallika,
two brothers dreamt the graceful dream at the same time and felt glad.

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

Surprisingly, in the morning, they found the flat land plot of Singuttara as a
barrel surfaces same with their dreams. Immediately, they presented respectively
to the king about the discovery of Singuttara which was unbelievable. Though
the king’s servants presented that was real and they had seen with their eye
sights practically to the king, the king didn’t satisfy and by self – his royalty, went
to Singuttara Great land by the great elephant.
With his royal eyes, the king got great satisfaction to see the land and
revered clockwise for 3 times by the royal elephant.

Discovery of 3 sacred relics

In order to build the pagoda at Singuttara the king okkalapa commanded
two brothers to bring sacredly the hair relics. And, they requested and presented
that in accordance with pre ordainment of the events made by Buddha the
pagoda must have been built and enshrined the 3 first previous Buddhas furniture
relics including hair relics.

Okkalapa king and two traders made an enquiry again like the way of
Singuttara holy land.
Even the king “Hindu God Indra” had to ask the sacred senior Devas one
by one. And the directions from the oldest senior Devas of staff relic centre to the
Sule Sacred Deva given by kakusan Buddha, water filter relic centre to Botataung
Rohani Deva given by konagon Buddha, and holy waist cloth used for bathing in,
centre to Dakhina Deva from Thingangyune given by kassapa Buddha were got.
With the care of Hmawbi old Deva, they managed to dig all three holy relics of
Buddhas furniture from the ground including holy hair relic to be enshrined for
the whole of Universe.
The Hindu God, Indra, let them to dig the big ground with the same
measurement of 44 human elbows side from tip of a finger (which is same with
66 ft) in the length, width and depth.
They found, in grace, all the relics and had great satisfaction.

Welcoming way of Sacred hair relics

Okkalapa king held a great ceremony to bring the hair relic from Jewel
pavilion to Singuttara holy land. Along the fixed route of hair relics bushes cutting,
balancing the ground laying the sand making diamond shaped design of lattice
fences, growing plantain plants and growing flag staff were done. Later days, the
pagodas of welcoming sacred hair relic were built according to the concerning
places. The road to welcome relic was named as welcoming road of hair relics.

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

Although the period was over 2500 years, we can worship the pagoda of
welcoming hair relic built on the way of welcoming hair relic which was only one
left in Myanmar Was office compound. It was also called showing - the flag
pagoda.
The Hindu God Indra, Okkalapa king and two traders had a great respect
to worship all the relics of 4 Buddhas temporarily inside the holy magnificent
building on Singuttara land while on management to build the pagoda. Later that
place of the holy magnificent building for relics was built as a pagoda and known
as “Naung Daw Gyi “pagoda.

Building of Brahmas and Devas

When the big tunnels under the ground as repository of relics in all
suitable sides were laid and parted with 6 mats of flat stone to enshrine in it for
all the relics Silver-coloured flat stone on the basement diamond-coloured flat
stone at eastern wall, emerald-coloured flat stone at western wall, pearl-coloured
flat stone at the northern wall and sapphire-coloured flat stone at the southern
wall were made as each partition.
Inside the repository of relics, very precious and priceless 7 kinds of jewels
were put on the measurement of the human’s knees from the ground. Over those
jewels, various-jewels-decorated-gold boat was donated. On the gold boat, 5
buildings with a tiered roof in the jewels were donated each. Inside 5 buildings
with a tiered roof, ruby tiered-roof-building wast placed each.
The holy staff of Kakusan Buddha, the holy water filter of Konagon Buddha
and Kassapat’s holy bathing waist cloth were placed each in 3 ruby tiered-roof-
buildings and worshipped.
And also, the holy relics of Gotama Buddha brought by Tapussa and
Bhallika who got directly from Gotama Buddha were put respectfully in the ruby
casket inside the ruby-tiered-roof-building and worshipped. And they, on their
highness, reserved the left ruby-tiered-roof-building to keep the relics of coming-
sacred-Arinmeiteiya Buddha.
Besides 4 candles which have 3-first-width at the top and the height is 7
1
/2 feet were lighted at all each corner of repository of relics and made vow and
prayed “Let these candles last with light the whole sacred years of Sassana Era
5000 year.” and placed respectfully. The hair relics were sacredly washed with
the coral and ruby colored water which has the amount of 128 handfuls from the
well. Now, that place is known as hair relics-washing-area- pavilion at the
northern side of Shwe Dagon.

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When Hindu God, Indra sacredly took the hair relics from ruby casket in
order to wash, all the people, Devas and Devees and Brahmas cheered
wonderfully.
All the hair relics flew by power at the same height with the 7 palm trees
and existed, in power. All the powerful lights from holiness influenced the whole
world. All the unable ones had gone better. Holy lightnings were lit by power
where as the pretty earth ground rumbled slightly. At the same time all the plants
and flowers in the whole world blossomed and bore out of their time. “Oh! The
powers of the relics were so great that all ones had greatness.”
All the creatures, people, human beings Devas and Devees and Brahmas
got the distinguishing wishes and kindness.
The Hindu God, Indra his holiness 4 virtuous wives, Okkalapa king and the
people were donating and worshipping as if the various jewelleries were falling
like rain.
The golden statues and jewel twig and bunch of the Indra, king Okkalapa
and the queen, and two traders, brothers circling the relics were enshrined.
After then, at all East, West , North and South of repository of relics the
spread of fire machinery, hydraulic machinery and weapon machinery, such as,
spears and knives machineries were fixed and covered with 7 iron-mesh canopies.
Hindu God, Indra byself on his holiness covered the repository with ruby-coloured
flat stone mat.

All around with many shrines

Golden shrine was built with / of golden brick on the ruby-coloured flat
stone mat. And then silver shrine was built on it. Silver shrine was covered with
the bronze shrine. Bronze shrine was covered with the shrine of copper which was
covered with Than Lwe shrine.
Again, Than Lwe shrine was enshrined with alabaster shrine. Above all,
iron-brick-shrine covered and step by step it was built of golden brick-one, silver-
brick-one, bronze-brick-one, copper-brick-one, Than Lwe –brick-one, alabaster-
brick-one, iron-brick-one and at last earthern-brick-one very strongly. The
pagoda from the plinth upto tapering, spire-like part of a pagoda immediately
below the finial was arranged with the various jewels in order. At the day time,
Okkalapa king and people arranged for pagoda and also at the night time, Indra,
Brahmas, all Devas and Devees paid respect for all arrangements of the pagoda.
That’s why Shwe Dagon pagoda was known as the pagoda built by human beings
and Devas in steps and steps.

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

Sacred name of ‘Trihakumba”

“Trihakumba” sacred name of Shwe Dagon pagoda was named fro
building on the hill and at the edges of another 2 hills.
Firstly was “Trikuba” and next was changed into Tigumpa. According to the
adding of Ti and gumpa in grammars because of building of 3 ancient Buddhas
furniture relics it was called “Tigumpa pagoda “.
From Mon language, “Tigumpa”, that was changed into Tikum, And then
the changes of writing was supposed to be Dagon at later times.
Nevertheless, “Shwe Dagon pagoda with 4 relics” the sacred name always
enchants outstandingly in fame for all.

The history of Sacred hair relics

All the purposes of Shwe Dagon were taken care of good merits by
Okkalapa king two-trader-brothers including the people. After then, 32 dynasties
of Okkalapa king continued royally to take care of it. After many years of those
dynasties, Okkalapa Naypyidaw was gradually mortal.
Not only the death of the people who knew about the history of pagoda
but also unflourishing of Sassana supported the pagoda almost to
disappear ,dimly where were located in the middle of forest covering with many
big trees, big bamboo trees and uncountable high bushes.

Sassana with preordainment of events made by Buddha

At Sassana Era 235, Venerable noble arahat, Moggaliputtatissa, led 1000
arahats to celebrate the ceremony of the third Singayana at Asokarama Sassana
temple in Pahtaliput Naypyidaw (At the present time Pattana city,Veha state,
India, with the supply of Asoka king, which could not only support the great
Sassana services but also take care of Buddhas’ sassana.
Sending Sanghas to 9 centers including Myanmar Suwunnabumi under the
preordainment of events made by the Buddha for Sassana was the powerful
future-fortune-seeing of venerable noble arahat, Moggaliputtatissa, the sacred
leader of Singayana ceremony as the countries where would develop the
Hteravada Sassana to last in the futures. And again the venerable monk Sona
and venerable monk Uttara leading sacredly 3 venerable monks, all together 5
venerable monks, were sent to Suwunnabumi, Myanmar Because of giving
preaches of Shwedagon pagoda history to the king Srimasoka and the people by
those venerable monks, Shwe Dagon Pagoda was paid great respect by clearing
the bushes and trees and cleaning. Then Shwe Dagon Pagoda appeared sacredly
and was crowded with worshippers.

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

Dutta Paung king Pyay and Anawrahta king from Bagan came and
worshipped after then. They thrived to take the hair relics on sacred mind,
however, it was in vain and they just worshipped there. Besides Myanmar king
and Mon King dynasties would have come and worshipped in great pious mind. As
a historic remark, in 1485, Dhammazedi stone inscription which had written in
pali, mon and Myanmar Language about Shwe Dagon history and the king
dynasties including Banya U in Shwe Dagon pagoda must have studied firstly.

BanyaU, the first one who renovated Shwe Dagon Pagoda

In 1372, in Hanthawatti, the king BanyaU including Dagon, Dala, Thanlyin
and Mottama renovated the pagoda which could be seen in historic stone
inscription.

Banya king for extension

Banya Yan Khaik king (1426-1446) extended the pagoda in the
measurement of 44 human elbows side form tip of a finger (same as 22 yards) as
a Mahazedi (great pagoda). He was a son of Rajadirij king. In 1436, in the period
of that king, due to the strong earthquake, there was an arrangement to manage
when the holy bell collapsed. In 1443 [Eng Christian+ Myanmar Era] or in 805
[Myanmar Era], arrangement was started for the small land length and width. It
extended at the arbour for the holiness in the pagoda from the original
measurement 11 yards [22 human elbows side from tip of a finger] up to 27
yards [54 human elbows side from tip of a finger] at each.
The hill was broken down to balance the ground. The extension was
started with 302 ft for the high of Pagoda doing 5 steps of the platform after
putting piles with 65 yard extension [130 human elbows side form tip of a finger]
while it was being done, the king Banya Yan Khaik died of a royal personage. The
new heir of place, the king Banyabaru (1446-1450) continued and died of a royal
personage before being finished. Again, the new king Banyakingdo [1450-1453]
did completely to finish the building of pagoda. There kings, step by step in
royalty, performed the holy magnificent pagoda, which was continued in the
future to be the Queen Shin Saw Pu, who was Vihara Devee Queen, the daughter
of Rajadirij king the sister of Banya Yan Khaik king, the royal mother of
Banyabaru king.

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The basic varieties of virtue

The daughter of Rajadirij king, the Queen Shin Saw Pu (1453-1460) was a
virtuous and pious one in the religious. After the royal sovereignty of Hanthawatti
for seven years the royal son-in-law, king Dhammazedi was handed over all royal
place and the Queen Shin Saw Pu moved to Dagon where there was Shwedagon
Pagoda with the royal followers.
Her royalty built the wooden place near the western gate of Shwedagon
Pagoda [around Tatmadaw Park at the present time] to do the chores of the
pagoda systematically. At first, her royalty paid great respect for division of the
land in the surroundings of pagoda at the glory of pagoda. The maintenance in
hilly part and platform was done and double concrete walls were maintained.
And her royalty let the staff grow coconut trees, palm trees, Mesua Ferrea
flower trees, Mangoes trees, and Jack fruits trees as a big garden at each of the
4-gates all platforms were laid with tiles and also stone for candle lights and
stone umbrella were built on by one. Decoration came into the basement of the
circular-shaped tray at pagoda with earthern brick and stone brick. The donation
of white umbrella, golden meal bowl, golden plates, Chinawares, silver plates,
golden spoon’s and silver spoons was managed together with services and
servants including supervisors. The good merits and the good deeds had to be
taken by one second-in command of a military unit two clerks, three comrades,
one clerk for gold, and one staff for measurement of the land including 1006
persons.
The whole body of Shwe Dagon Pagoda was offered gold in the same
weight of the Queen which was 25 visses of gold. About to demise, the Queen let
her royal couch move near the widow and demised by looking at the pagoda
through window and concentrating the sacred love to pagoda.

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The bell with Dhammazed king

The true heir of the Queen Shin Saw Pu for Religion the king
Dhammazedi, looked after the (pagoda and did a lot of good deeds according to
the Queen “Dhammazedi stone inscription” written in Pali, Myanmar and Mon
(1485) was set up to be acknowledged in history. As on origin, due to the land
donated by the Queen was very wide, smaller suitable plot was made and for that
case, the gold was donated instead of land the bronze bell with the weight of
10,000 visses (Ten thousand visses) was made and donated at Shwedagon
pagoda as “Dhammazedi bell” which had eight human elbow sides form tip of a
finger (same as 4 yards) in length.
In 1612, Ngazinka who was ruling Thanlyin carried that bell and it was
droppedinto Dawpon River while carrying.Till now, nobody couldn’t take it back.

The tiered and ornamented finial of a pagoda placed by Banya Yansi.

In the reign of the heir the son of Dhammazedi king, Banya Yansi king (1492-
1526), very strong storm occurred and in 1494, his royalty made a new tired and
ornamented finial of a pagoda after picking up the old one from the ground and
placed it. Especially, as a 48th anniversary of his royalty’s birthday the king built
48 small shrines at the first terrace. The creation of turning was done coiling the
basement of the circle-shaped-tray at the bottom of the pagoda.

With the shade of virtue by various kings

The Shwedagon Pagoda was built on the Singuttara summit which the
altitude was 190ft. the earthquake said that there caused the earthquake because
of the underground moving cutting block setting straightly from north to south at
the distance of 600ft in the east of Singuattara hill. Nowadays, Shwedagon
Pagoda still exists in the fact of that there were sacred relics of Buddhas. Though
some of the destructions were at Pagoda, many kings in generations, step by step,
in Myanmar paid homage for renovation. All the histories for renovation. All the
histories of Renovations by the kings were as follows;
In 1542, the offering of decorative frontlet which covers forehead for
pagoda and gold gilding the whole pagoda body by beating gold in the same body
weight of the king into gold leaves by Mintayar Shwe Htee king.

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In 1564, renovating the pagoda after being occurred from earthquake and
offering the tiered and frontlet which covers forehead and gold gilding the whole
body of Shwedagon pagoda.
In 1582, the son of Bayintnaung king, king Nanda put up the new tiered
and offered the gold gilding at upper part of plantain bud-shapped part of a
pagoda.
In 1608, the earthquake destroyed the tapering, spire-like part of a
pagoda and ovolo moulding to be dropped at the ground and it remained shaped
of a bell. In 1610, Venerable Sayadaw Ingabut and Venerable Sayadaw Lasay led
and could have paid respect to offer the new tiered and ornamented finial like
origin at pagoda including people’s virtue (good merits)
In 1819, when the king of western side offered new tiered and
ornamented finial, in 1620, at his majesty-reign, finial of stupa fell down due to
the earthquake disaster.
In 1649, the tiered and ornamented finial was bent at the reign of Pintale
king and had to be ornamented finial fell down again for earthquake and was sent
to Bago for repairing and offered.
In 1661, with the destruction of earthquake and storm, the tiered finial on
three steps was at the ground and taken To Inwa. In 1663, Pyay king renovated
it and offered.
In 1664, the tiered and ornamented finial slid into North-West because of
earthquake. The diamond bud and with the top of tiered finial and suspensions.
For a year, the whole stupa was completed with concrete layer. Only in 1667, the
new tiered finial could be offered. In 1679, the maintenance was done by the
Buddhists.
Ahlaunmintayar king who built new city as Yangon after changing from
Dagon name, pagoda in 1755 and 1757 and donated four rest houses.

The tiered and ornamented finial ceremony by Sinphyushin king.

On 9th June 1768, the earthquake occured and destruction was repaired by
the mayor under the command of Sinphyushin king. When the rebuilding of the
pagoda with the bronze bricks and some iron was done in the sacred height of
326 ft till now. After renovating for 6 years, Sinphyushin king offered. The gold
gilding at the whole pagoda at the, same weight with his highness, body weight
which is 47 visses and 35 ticals.
The golden tiered and ornamented finial of a pagoda of Sinphushin king
was let to be moulded in iron and bronze step by step with the seven levels in a

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tiered, spire-like roof in Naypyidaw. The first level of that has 9 human elbow
sides and 2 thumb sides [from wrist upto tip of the thumb finger] [same as 4
yards1feet and 9 inches].
At the golden tiered and ornamented finial, diamond bud and pennant-
shaped vane, the 270-viss-gold was donated totally in the same weight of the
king’s royal properties worn only in the ceremonies. And it was decorated with
the 15038 stones of nine precious stones. The gold bells and the silver bells in
200 visses for the great virtue and 14 gold bells, 341 silver bells got from
collasping and one alloy of gold, silver, copper, iron and lead, were hung by
worshipping. The holy height of tiered height of tiered and ornamented finial has
got 38 feet and 6 inches up to diamond bud at that time.
In 1775, Sinphyushin king, by himself, on his highness escorting with
royal ministers, brought the golden tiered and ornamented finial to Yangon by
jewel- decorated –karaweik [twin-hulled raft] Then, on Wednesday of 15th March,
1775, at about 4 o’clock in the evening, the gold tiered and ornamented finial was
offered from the northern gate of the pagoda by the big machine.
In 1776, the heir son of Sinphyushin Sinku king completed the big, bell
which hadn’t finished by his father king having aim to offer to ShweDagon pagoda
and donated. Now, it is known as Sinkumin bell. Sinkumin bell has 5 human
elbow sides and 2 thumb sides for height, [ measurement from wrist up to tip of
the thumb ] 15 human elbow sides for the girth and 2 thumb sides [ from wrist to
thumb tip ] and 5 finger sides for the thickness which has got 15555 visses.
In English-Myanmar First World War, it dropped into the water when
English took and put up into the ship.
For many times on the great attempt to get it back was in vain. However,
Myanmar people succeeded to take it back and put back to its origin.
In 1841, Tharyarwati king reached by deploying Navy troops of the royal
entourage to Yangon often worshipped ShweDagon pagoda while his highness
was staying for a moment at Aung Myay Yan Hnin built on temporary. The gold
leaves in the weight of 3200 ticals were donated from the plinth upto tapering,
spire-like part of a pagoda immediately below the finial. The Queen Ma Myakalay
donated wooden things and charges by pouring holy water to build the western
covered passage at pagoda. In 1843, Tharyarwati king donated big bronze bell in
the weight of 25940 visses on the platform at the Sunday-born-planet in the
North-East of pagoda together with building with a tiered with pavilion.
In 1852, while English ruled lower Myanmar, some of the war disasters
and the destroying of English made the golden Shwedagon pagoda other shrines,
images and statues stairways and pavilions ruined. Those destructions were

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

maintained in great mind led by the first devotee, sitke U Htaw lay and the
monastery layman, U lu: and other lower Myanmar people, At first, concrete,
mixture of wood-oil, Sawdust, powdered charcoal and fine ash used in the making
of lacquerware and gilded glass mosaic, and oleo-resin obtained from tree were
used for maintenance by scaffolding. After checking the destructions, they took
substitution with gold one viss and 40 ticals, With accounts of dangling bells, they
offered again and gold gilding with the leaves of over 21,ooo was added for
offering,

King Mindon putting up in great virtue for tiered and ornamented finial

Since 1775, Sinphyushin king’s gold tiered and ornamented finial had got
45 years old up to 1869.
Thwaysaykan Sayadaw and all gentlemen of Buddhists presented king
Mindon presentation about the old tiered and ornamented finial to put up the new
one on the sacred power as a tradition of Buddhism to worship Shwedagon
pagoda as a Buddha.
The king approved it on 6th December 1869 Thanchattwon U Hmo led and
supervised the tiered and ornamented finial with the gold smith experts. On the
great check for that part, all necessary small bells were sent to Mandalay. All the
funds were transferred.
For that case the king Mindon made some contacts and negotiation with
English rulers from Yangon.
As for English rulers, they were aiming to the cause of nationalities, not to
the cause of religion which Myanmar were worried. At last, from the various
points of view, lower Myanmar people took the responsibilities to put up the
tiered and ornamented finial with the ceremony on approval.
English authorized person and also architect U Shwe loat volunteered to
donate the service on education for the necessary scaffolding. At that service, all
places were full of helpers with the refreshment makers. Kerosene business
woman, Ma Hpwa took the responsibilities for temporary pavilion for tiered and
ornamented finial.
Some youngsters rehearsed to entertain by dancing and singing at the
ceremony. At the jetty, money was donated to build the building for the tiered
and ornamented finial. Because of the many volunteers for carrying the levels of
the tiered and ornamented finial, all duties were made with the draws.
In Mandalay Nayphidaw, the tiered and ornamented finial was built in 7
levels. The length of it is 21 feet and 5 ½ inches. The adding with the shaft length

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

is totally 33 feet and 6 inches. It was arranged with the gold weight
20229.01125 ticals and 36411 jewel-stones in decorating.
The virtue of Mindon king is over 941452 ticals. On the 2nd of October,
1871, Mindon king together with the royalities offered the golden umbrella by
keeping the strong concentration to Shwedagon pagoda by pouring holy water.
Because of the occupancy of English for some parts of Myanmar, even the
king, by his holiness, could not donate for a great chance. With the general power
to the gazetted officer of Puppa, minister Mahar Min khaung kyaw Htin who led
Myanmar agency the golden umbrella was let to take to Yangon by
YayNanSetkyar ship. It reached Yangon jetty on 22nd October.
5 authorized gentlemen and the assistant Bago gazetted officer, U Ohn
arranged to welcome the holy umbrella ahead. When it arrived Yangon, full of the
jetty with the people were on respect to welcome where was to celebrate the
ceremony very enjoyably the whole evenings and nights, while it was in it. On
26th October, Puppa gazetted officer U Hmon and Myanmar missions were met in
secretarial office in strand road, by Mahar gazetted officer of English government
legally.
The permission letter in royality from Nayphidaw was given to Mahar
gazetted officer of English government. And again, Mahar gazetted officer handed
over that royal permission to put up the holy umbrella to gazzetted officer U Ohn
and the gentlemen.
On 28th October, each level of the seven ones from tiered and ornamented
finial was sent to Shwedagon pagoda by 5 responsible gentlemen leading the
organization to offer the monks the gifts. All the worshippers respected the holy
umbrella on the great satisfaction and advanced their good deeds through virtue.
The iron for basement of the holy umbrellas was donated and also the gold leaves,
gold chains, the precious stones and jewelleries were involved in donation
generously. All 700 kinds of gold, over 842 ticals of gold wears were noted as
sacred virtue.
On November 14, 1871, the tiered and ornamented finial donated by king
Sinphyushin had been finished on the date of 18.11.1871 after being taken by the
machine in the form of mythical bird done strangely by the broker, U Lu Gyi when
the golden umbrella reached at the platform of pagoda, all over 50000 visitors
who came to the ceremony sang songs starting with (The meaning is that we
pour the cool water with the sacred eugenia flower in order to win and be
powerful, live longer and we are like a cool water pot.) in Myanmar. And that
echo overwhelmned the whole parts of North, South, West and East by having
goose-flesh in their bodies for the moment.

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

At 4 o’clock in the evening on 19th November, 1871,The first level of the

golden umbrella was put up on holiness, but, it was in vain because of bad
machine. However at 3 o’clock in the evening on 21st November. All the people
from the ceremony sang the song of “Aung Bar Lay” ( same as successful ) very
delightedly letting the heaven hear. On 22nd November, from the noon on, the
second, the third, and the fourth were done holy putting up and it was
compeletely finished at 6 o’ clock in the evening. On 23rd November, the rest of
the levels could be done step by step.
On 26th November, the whole tiered and ornamented finial including
diamond bud and pennant – shaped vane were paid homage by putting up
successfully and wonderfully.
That holy umbrella ceremony was noticeable on delights claiming which
was such a wonderful ceremony that we had never met before. Although we lived
in Myanmar which had parted into two, our attitude on the good merits was one
on seeing the events in the ceremony which meant “ the unity of success for
Myanmar.”
On the check of the virtue. The list was as below:
9 In the period of Mindon king, the donation was over 94, 14.5 ticals.
9 In the period of king Sinphyushin, the donation was over 126,328 tical.
9 The donation of Lower Myanmar people was over 332,684 ticals.

All total amounts were over 1,400,470 ticals in gold alone, on holiness.

Very First Shrine in the shape of the Holy Umbrella.

The small shrines were distinctly built in the same shape of holy umbrella
on the platform between eastern gate and the sun planet corner in Shwedagon
pagoda to notice the royal ideal kings, king Sinphyushin and king Mindon who had
donated significantly and magnificently along the legend of the pagoda.

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 The History of Shwedagon Pagoda

The Diamond Bud To Be Paid Homeage

Though the worshippers continued to worship Shwedagon pagoda with
love , that was, Shwedagon pagoda was sacred-famous and sacred-pretty the
diamond bud and pennant-shaped vane involved in king Mindon’s tiered and
ornamented finial could not last along the period of holy umbrella. Unluckily,
there was a change according to nature.
On the 9th October, 1888, there was an earthquake and the shaft was
broken and diamond bud and pennant-shaped vane dropped. The financial
responsible people of the pagoda let the country know about it and some needs
were repaired on 17th March, 1889. On that date, it was put up again.
On 17th August, 1919, because of the earthquake, the shaft swayed into
the North-West.
On 26th February, 1921, the pennant-shaped vane was dropped and
repaired. On 16th March, 1921, it was put up again on holiness.
On the same day of 10th September. 1927, the Shwedagon pagoda didn’t
get any damage greatly though the earthquake caused for three times.
At 08:18 hrs on 5th May, 1930, the shaft was broken again because of
heavy shake of earthquake. The diamond bud and the pennant-shaped vane of
king Mindon’s royal donation dropped to the joint of tiered and ornamented finial.
Then, it was suddenly fixed with suspensions and dangled. Therefore, The
diamond bud and pennant-shaped vane was maintained in new arrangement. So,
the new diamond bud and pennant-shaped vane could have been successfully
paid homage to put up in 1931 (same as on kason full moon day of Myanmar Era
1293). Those donations were conducted by the people all together.
After the independence, the earthquake again caused on the 5th and 9th
September 1970. Due to the earthquake of 9th September, the upper part of shaft
at tiered and ornamented finial swayed into North-West.
The group of the government the Shwedagon devotee, Architect and
engineers had checked all steps of levels of the holy umbrella and maintained for
all necessaries.
During 1970 after 1436 period, all kinds of the classes, for instance, the
kings, the queens-rulers, government and the people repaid all the destructions
from earthquake age by age for lasting of the sacred beauty in eternity and built
up in unity. Some of the pennant-shaped vane and diamonds were done for anew
and offered for Shwedagon pagoda.

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