http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2081169-myanmar44-mingun2/

Mingun is a village on the western bank of the river Ayeyawaddy, approximately 7 miles north of Mandalay. It is reached by ferryboats across the river and takes 1 hour for up-river and 40 minutes for down-river. It is famous for many Buddhist shrines, monasteries, meditation centre and monuments of historical and cultural importance. Highlights in Mingun are Pa Hto Daw Gyi (The world's largest unfinished pagoda), the Great Mingun Bell and Mya Thein Dan Pagoda.

Mingun’s main attraction is the ruined Pahtodawgyi pagoda. The Mingun temple is a monumental uncompleted stupa began by King Bodawpaya in 1790.

Pa Hto Daw Gyi Pagoda, was unfortunately abandoned due to the death of King Bodawpaya in 1819.It was not completed, due to an astrologer claiming that, once the temple was finished, the king would die. The completed stupa would have been the largest in the world at 150 metres (490 ft).

This unfinished structure was badly damaged with cracks by the earthquake of 1838

Huge cracks are visible on the structure from the earthquake of 23 March 1839. It is a colossal mound of brickwork.

King Bodawpaya (1781-1819 A.D) had made a vow while he was in hiding at Mingun that should be ascend the throne he would implement four projects as a deed of merit that should be outstanding, Pagoda, Bell, Reservoir & Two huge leogryphs.

Over 20,000 workers toiled for twenty years on the construction of the Pa Hto Daw Gyi Pagoda, which was unfortunately abandoned due to the death of King Bodawpaya in 1819.

A 15feet miniature model of the pagoda is in close proximity. Judging comparatively the work done each length measuring 230 feet of square base and completed to a height of 162 feet up to the first terrace is less than one third of the final height. Had this pagoda been completed, then it would have been the largest monument.

pondaw paya or working model of the stupa

Like many large pagodas in Myanmar, a pondaw paya or working model of the stupa can be seen nearby.

Through King Bodawpaya did not complete the pagoda project during his lifetime, yet he did complete the other three projects successfully. Remains of the pair of giant leogryphs called chinthe (mythical lions) who guarded the entrances

The Mingun Bell was east in 1808. During the smelting of the bronze, the populace was allowed to donate their contributions, who brought ornaments of silver and utensils of brass, copper, aluminum, zinc and iron metals. The bell was cast perfectly and weighs 90 tons. It is the world's biggest ringing bell.

The much heavier and larger bell at Moscow has a crack and duel in sound. This colossal, weighing bell was cast on a raised stand of sand and the mounting on large teak trunks. When it was fitted steadfast, the sand stand was washed away leaving the bell hanging on the teak trunks.

In many Buddhist traditions, the sound of a ringing bell is thought to be purifying

Though it withstood the quake of 1838, yet a century later it dropped to the ground in the quake of 1938, where it remained till the end of World War II. The Ayeyarwady Flotilla Company lifted the bell with mechanical cranes and installed it on the existing pillars with a befitting pavillion to shelter it. One can go within the bell and stand upright

The Migun bell was considered as the largest ringing bell in the world until 2000. It was built by the longest reigning monarch of the Konbaung dynasty King Bodawpaya (1782-1819) and weighs 55,555 viss (90.718 kilograms or 199.999 pounds). This number is engraved on the surface of the bell. In more detail, the outer diameter of the rim is 16 feet 3 inches (4.95 m). The height is 12.0 feet (3.66 m) feet on the exterior and 11.5 feet (3.51 m) in the interior. The outside circumference at the rim is 50.75 feet (15.469 m). The bell is 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm) thick and stands 20.7 feet (6.31 m) high from the rim to the top.Nowadays, the bell is still a pride of Myanmar although it is no longer the world's largest bell. Its title has been replaced by the 116-ton Bell of Good Luck at the Foquan Temple, Pingdingshan, Henan, China.

In Burma, massive, impressively decorated bells weighing up to 90 tons are found in temple grounds. Bells are second only in importance to Buddha images as donations to a pagoda. Ringing the bell represents an offering to all the Buddhas and bodhisattvas in order to accumulate positive karma. Also, the bell represents wisdom, so ringing the bell is the sound of wisdom. Striking the bell represents ringing away “man’s” 108 passions. 

Bells are struck with a wooden mallet (sometimes a deer antler) and great importance is placed on the sound.The bell is rung by worshippers after making their devotions to Buddha - struck three times to announce their actions and share merit amongst all. Other watchers may shout thadu, thadu, thadu which means well done, well done, well done.

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu & InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound Sein Bo Tint - Burmese Traditional Orchestra leader