History Book Part I (B)

REVIEWProportion of two sides of Kings are 13:27 or 1:2 approximately that is average a reign of

king in chronicle side can be equate with reigns of two kings in Inscription side.Again, we have noticed that the difference of two sides is 37 years. In other words the length of the

chronicle side exceeded 37 years to inscription side. i.e 2 years in group(3) and 31 years in group(4)respectively.

In group(3) and group(4), Thiri Sandra and Theinga Sandra reigns are extremely lengthy for aking ruling in those days.

So, it needs verifications between the two sides, whether they are the same historical list withdifferent recordings or not. (Please see Appendix II & III)

U Aung Tha Oo the late scholar of Rakhine(Arakanese) History, in his letter addressed to Dr. PamelaGutman of Australian National University, mentioned that Thiri Sandra of Chronicle side and Thiri DharmmaWizaya of Inscription side are the same person with alternate names, who sponsored the Buddhist Synod inWethali and did the final cancellation of 560 Rakhine Era or Kawza Era at the same time. It is also true toour knowledge too. If we verify the above comparative tables of two sides we can also see clearly that.Thiri Sandra and Thiri Dhamma Wizaya are the kings who did the final cancellations of kawza 560. More-over the two names are synonymous to each other .

Again ,according to chronicles, Theinga Sandra , son of Thiri Sandra , was the husband of Saw PraiNyo. It shows Saw Prai Nyo was the common Queen to Theinga Sandra of Historical side and DharmaCandra of Inscription side. (Please see the family tree table of Mahavira.) Also in this case, we can draw aconclusion that Theinga Sandra and Dhamma Candra are one and the same person recorded in two sides.

So also, since Ananda Candra was the son of Dhamma Candra and Saw Prai Nyo as well as SulaSandra was the son of the Theinga Sandra and Saw Prai Nyo, the two Kings Annanda Candra of inscriptionside and SulaSandra of Chronicle side are own brothers. Ananda Candra ruled 10 more years after heinscribed his prasasti in Wethali pillar and Sula Sandra succeeded to Wethali throne after the death ofAnnanda Candra, Indeed, it was the transitional period between inscription side to chronicle side ( Pleaseseethe family tree table of Mahavira again ).(Please see the calculations mentioned in page ( )

Chapter (V)Comments on Dr;Sircar’s tentative assignment, early part of Table II inscribed in the western

face of Shitethaung Pillar are recorded about the kings described below:1. Dven Candra -55-370-425AD(V 19, V 20,V 21)2. Raja Candra -20-425-445AD(V22)3. Kala Candra - 9-445-454AD(V23)4. Deva Candra -22-454-483AD(V24)5. Yajna Candra - 7-476-483AD(V25)6. Candra Bandhu - 6-483-489AD(V25)7. Bhumi Candra - 7-489-496AD(V26)8. Bhuti Candra -24-496-520AD(V27)9. Niti Candra -55-520-575AD(V28)10. Vira Candra - 3-575-578AD(V29)11. Priti Candra -12-578-590AD(V29)12. Pathvi Candra - 7-590-597AD(V30)13. Dhriti Candra - 3-597-600AD(V31)

Wethali : The land of Historic finds 23

It was noticed that out of that hoard of 48 coins belonging to Wethali period, only four earlier kings ofTable II are fourd with repeated number of the same 4 kings. Apart from Wethali coins, it is observed that 2numbers of Pyu coins were so surprisingly collected together with those coins. That 2, Pyu, coins were mostprobably Thareikhitara coins, which was the clear indication of relationship between early part of Wethaliperiod and ending part of Thareikitara period. Moreover, we can draw many informations out of that collec-tions, it was also testified to say that Wethali period of Rakhine(Arakan) became only after the period of 3rdDhanyawaddy, which is ranging from 5th century BC to 4th century AD dates on which Thuria Renu stood inthe 19th line (155-174AD) of Sandathuria regime. So also at early period of Bagan, reign of Popa Saw Rahanof Bagan stood only after Thareikhitara, the period contemporary to early Wethali period of Rakhine(Arakan).Since the standing position of Wethali period of Rakhine(Arakan) came only after 3rd Dhanyawaddy period itis sure to say that position of early Bagan cannot be contemporary period 3rd Dhanyawaddy. In other senseBagan actual position was not above of Wethali. Popa Saw Rahan of Myanmar Bagan can be epuate with theWethali Third Period of Rakhine(Arakan) only as recorded by Rakhine(Arakan) chroniclers. In other wordsPopa Saw Dahan of Myanmar Bagan was contemporary to Thiri Sandra or Thiri Dhama Wizaya of Rakhine(Arakan) Wethali which was the right concept of the Rakhine(Arakanese) Chroniclers. In other means PopaSaw Rahan of Bagan cannot be equate with Thuria Renu of Third Dhanyawaddy of Rakhine as recorded andstated by Irwin, Phayre and co-European scholars of Rakhine(Arakanese) History.

Again, Table III of Wethali inscriptions inscribed under many verses between V34 to V44 and therewere 9 number of Kings recorded are as follows;

1. Mahavira -12-600-612AD(V34)2. Vragarap -12-612-624AD(V36)3. Siviren -12-624-636AD(V36)4. Dharma Sura -13-636-649AD(V36)5. Vijrasakti -16-649-665AD(V37)6. Dharmavijaya -36-665-701AD(V39)(Thiri Sandra of Chronicle side)7. Narendravijaya - 3-701-704AD(V41)8. Dharma Candra -16-704-720AD(V42)9. Ananda Candra - 9-720-729AD(V44)

Now we are quite convinced to say that the proof mentioned above is one of the finest proofs to showthe improper recordings and wrong periodiations and dating of Lt.; General sir Arthur PPhayre and Europeanupon Rakhine History. It seems, the British scholar and the followers of similar concepts and their thinkingswere not up to the mark.

Note- We have collected Three types of coins belonging to the same king Deva candra i.e Conch/Thrivesta, Bull facing left/ Thrivetse & Bull facing right Therivetsa.

Note-1. Copper plate land grant affixed with Bull seal were unearthed near the WethaliCity site (P.32-37 of Buddhist art of Ancient Arakan(Rakhine)

2. Some justifications about Wethali a single Rakhine(Arakanese) Dynasty-written byU Shwe Zan P.201-127 of Myat Pan Thazin Magazine.

U Shwe Zan B.Sc, B.C.S. 24

CHAPTER VI

ANALYSIS The comparison between two sides of kings and their reigns are as fallows:-

King of Chronicles side reign-King of Inscriprion side - Reign

7. Thiri Sandra 72(19) Thiri Dharmma Wizaya - 368. Theinga Sandra 66(21) Dhamma Candra - 16

(Please see Appendix I, Appendix II, Appendix III & Appendix IV)

By looking these comparisons, Thiri Sandra and Theinga Sandra reigns are unreasonably Lengthy.Than that of Inscription side of the same king with different or alternate names. If we can adjust reasonably thetwo kings of Chronicle side relevant to the Inscription side, we can definitely say that the two different record-ings are not the separate ones but the single list of Wethali with some kings in different name or alternate names.Note: The first excavation of Wethali old site was made in the years between 1981AD and 1984AD. One ofthe artifacts we obtained was a stone slab Inscription from mound No:4 of Vesali and it was counted for as C5th/ 6th century AD. As a result of the particular excavation, U Nyunt Han of Archaelolgical Department,(Now Director General of the same Department.) who conducted the same excavation revealed that, Wethaliexisted in between 4th century and 9th century AD(Please see the special issue of 10th anniversary magazinepublished by Rakhine(Arakan) State People’s Council in 1984). It is also a supporting evidence to say thatWethali existed not in between 8th and 11th century as said by Sir Arthur Phayre, but in between 4th and ninthcentury. (Please see Plate I)

Comparisons between the Kings, mentioned in two sides

CHRONICLE INSCRIPION REMARKSSIDE SIDE

1. Taing Sandra 1. Dven Candra As remarked by Dr.Johnstan ofBaluyaw College of Oxford University,the two names are synonymous to eachother. As a founder of Wethali period,the king issued a silver Bull coinsengraved with Suriya Sandra of 4th to6th century is now in possessions.

Wethali; The land of Historic finds 25

CHRONICLE INSCRIPTION REMARKS SIDE SIDE

With reference to U San Hla’s MahamunisNigone Ywa Verse composed at the time ofAh Ba Ya Ma Ha Ra Za and Historian Doe Wai

of Mrauk-U Period. Maha Taing Sandra issued cions (Bull/Thirivetsa) in the name of Surya Sandra. By assessing those facts, we can draw a conclusion that Maha Taing Sandra issued the first inscribed coins in the name of Suria Sandra the founder of Surya Dynasty or Lunar Dynasty. Since Dven Candra name is the synonemous name to Taing Sandra, it can also be considered as the coin of Dven Candra.Because we have not yet collected coins in the name of Dven Candra.

2.Raza Candra 2.Raja Candra Both Kings of similar names are 2nd in line of Sandra Dynasty in bothsides. (Please see U San Hla’s Mahamuni Nigones Ywa Verse). Already collected Raja Candra silver coin engraved with the name of same king together with variety of

coins of Wethali kings, 48 in numbers and two Pyu coins probably of Tharekhitara or Paikthano period. Those coins were found near the river shore of Khayinc village, of Taungoke Township in southern part of Rakhine(Arakan) State. Those

collection of Raja Candra coins are confirmed by Dr.Marlo, a German Scholar of Berlin. (Please see the photographs attached). (Collection of Coins from Khayine Village are Now displayed in Cul- tural museum, Sittwe). (Please see Appendix VI)



Similar to the name of the 6th king of chronicle sideNo. collections of coins or artifact yet.Three types of silver coins i.e Conch-Thirivetsa. Bull-Thirivetsa left-turn and Bull-Thirivetsa-right turn werecollected together with Raja Candra and other varieties ofsilver coins belonging to Wethali period and Two PyuCoins were collected near the river shore of Khayinevillage in Toun Goke Township, the southern part ofRakhine(Arakan) State. Now displayed in culturalMuseum, Sittwe. (Please see the Raja Candra columnmentioned above.)A silver coin was collected displayed in ArcheologicalA silver coin was collected museum of Mrauk-UA silver coin was collected and Cultural Museum,SittweA silver coin was collected Dr. Pamela Gutman’sDoctorate Thesis - Vol II

A copper plate land grant was unearthed andcollected during the second world was near the old site ofWethali.That copper plate bearing writing in both sides. At presentit is in the safe custody of Archaeology Department ofministry of culture in Yangon.

The Royal Bull seals were affixed in both sides of thecopper plate. Out of estimated 14 lines of inscriprion,upper two lines were lost due to the destruction done byJapanese soldier during their occupation days. We noticedthat lines one to eight contained the names of

1. Kala Candra

4. Deva Candra

5. Yajna Candra6. Candra Bandhu7. Bhumi Candra8. Bhuti Candra

8. Bhuti Candra

3. Mawla Sandra 4. Pawla Sandra 5. Htula Sandra 6. Kala Sandra



eight kings the last of them mentioned in line 8 beingthe issuer of the grant. Line I may have thus containedthe name of a king who was then mentioned alongwith the seven of the successors. That is not improb-able that line I could have mentioned Dven Candra,thefounder of the Dynasty. In that case it was BhutiCandra eighth in line after Dven Candra and ruled in496-520AD. It is fortunate to say that the names ofQueens can be read in line four to eight. There we areprivileged to know the donors mother, grand mother, greatgrand mother, great great grand mother, great great greatgrand mother. Their names were respectively KalyanaDevi,Kyaw devi Sakenya Devi,Kindel devi and KuntanDevi.Silver coin and one epigraphic record and a Gold ringwere collected (Gold ring is now in the hand of UMaung Oo Gyaw of Mrauk -U)(Please see Page 226)Queen of Niti Candra was engraved in the inscription slabcollected in and Andaw Zeti of Thandwe . Both of theartifacts and coins are displayed in Archaeological museumof Mrauk-U.

9.Niti Candra

Silver coin and epigraphic record inscribed in a stoneslab are collected. Both are displayed in Archaeologi-cal museum of Mrauk-U.Both silver and Gold coins were collected. Silver coinis displayed in Archaeological museum of Mrauk-Uand gold coin is in the possession of a Gold smilth ofMrauk - U by the name of Kaung San Kyaw . Pleasesee Page 226)

11.Priti Candra

12.Prthvi Candra A silver coin was collected of this book Displayed inMrauk -U Archaeological museum.

10.Vira Candra



A silver coin was collected Displayed in Mrauk-UArchaeological museum.

Mahavira was a governor of Purum Purai sea port anda western gate of Rakhine(Arakan). When Dhriti died hewas called for to Wethali and succeeded the throne in thesame year of Dhriti’s death. There is no gap in between.Saw Prai Nyo, an eighth century Poet of Wethali men-tioned also in her verse entitled “ Thein Kan Maintwinas” “

bDutpbdk;uqufcHbDutpbdk;uqufcH

bDutpbdk;uqufcHbDutpbdk;uqufcHbDutpbdk;uqufcH”and top of the Kings with

seven successors and eight king was counted asDhamma Candra Who happened to be her husbandking(Please see Table III of Wethali Inscription as wellas family tree table.)

No Comment

No Comment

A Dhamaraja Coin is collected and the type of whichis similar to Dhamavijaya and Dharma Candra coins.There is no claim of throne belonging to either sideyet. However, in our opinion, Dhama Sura V.36 AD636,(4th king) was a father king of two strong (Chil-dren) kings Vajrasakti (V37)AD 649 (V38) 5th King aswell as 6th King Dharmavijaya (V-39) (V-40)AD 665an alternate name of Thiri Sandra in Chronicle sidewho was the son of Vajrasakti and husband of SawPrai Nyo a poet Queen and daughter of Dharmavijaya.Also, Dharma Candra is an alternate name of Theinga

13.Dhriti

17.Dhama Sura

16.Siviren

15.Vaajapya

14.Mahavira



Sandra in chronicle side who was happended to be involvedin the expedition of Benga provinces.Palgeographically, the Dhamaraja coin was a 7th Century coin;also. For these reasons Dhamaraja can be presummed as analternate name of Dhama Sura.Consquently Dhamaraja coin was belonging to no otherthan Dhama Sura. We can also equate “Sura” with “Raja” agreat monarch or Kakravatin King. The coin is displayed inMrauk - U Archaeological museum .Please read the aboved coloum .Thiri Dhammavijaya coin is now in our possession . It wasfound together with Dhamma Candra coin in Kwe-dai villageof Sittwe township. Now displayed in ArchaeologicalMeseum, Mrauk -U. Since Thiri Sandra of Chronicle sideand Thiridharmma wizaya of inscription side are synonemousnames. It can be presumed that they are, the single personwith alternative names recorded in the two sides. Thiri Sandrawas the king who did the final cancellation date of 560 RE inchronicle side where as Thiri Dhama Vijaya did the same finalcancellation dateof 560 R.E in Inscription side.So also ThiriSandra was the king who sponsored the fourth synod com-bined with the country of Sri Lanka . An Inscription stoneslab of land grant ,do-nated by Thiri Dharmavijaya was col-lected near the vicinity of Linmongtaung range of Wethali .This land grant inscription indicates the date of the kings. Itshows this event was happened before the final cancell-ationdate in early 7th Century . But in recording of Phayre the dateof Thiri Sandra was 903 AD to 935 AD, so in accordancewith the British Scholar that particu-lar event was happenedin 10th century . This shows that Phayre datings was evidentlyunreliable because inscri-ption of Dhammawizaya waspaleaographicaly in 7th century .

18.Vagrasakti19.Thiridharma Vijaya



22.Annanda Candra

8.Theinga Sandra

Son of Dhamavijaya and own brother of saw Pari Nyo,a poet Queen of Dhamma Candra.A silver coin is collected together with coin ofDhammavijaya in Kwedai village of Sittwe Township.Saw Prai Nyo (a)Thuwunna Devi happened to be theQueen of Theinga Sandra in Chronicle side. It showsTheinga Sandra and Dhamma Candra are oneandasingle person. In reference to Vasant Chowdhery,an inscribed Metal Vase engraved with Rakhine 77 or715 AD as Christ Era converted was displayed inDhaka National Museum. That occurance was dis-played in Dhaka National Museum. that occurance washappened during the reign of Dhamma Candra theretwo Sandra names of Kula and Ratna Candra wereincluded in the Donor Lists of land grant’s. It shows,there were linked between Wethali and HarrikilaKingdom of Benga side in the days of Dhamma Candrareign. But in accordance with Phayre, that incident wascounted for as in Thuria Kethi reign of 3rdDhanyawaddy period which was not possible becauseof about a period apart to each other and it was provedthat the incident was happened during Candra Dynastyonly.Issued a sliver coin (Pamela Gutman’s DoctorateThesis Vol:II). This silver coin of Annanda Candra isdisplayed in London Museum as said by Dr:PamelaGutman. According to U San Hla of Mrauk-U, HtulaSandra is analtenat name of Annanda Candrainchroncle side (xlVwpfjzmtmeE´m) We observed that the

20.Narendrawijya

21.DhammaCandra



Ah Mra Tu

Sula Candra

reign of two sides are 19 years in each which is tally to eitherside Infact, Annanda Candra continued to rule Wethali afterthe 9th year of his time of engraving in the Wethali pillar.After his death in 19th year of reign his younger brother SulaSandra succeeded to the Wethali throne in early 8th century.This Annanda Candra Pillar or Wethali pillar is a wonderfulinscription record of Wethali Dynasty with 3 Tables.

Annanda Candra has inscribed about his benevolentactions of liberality to the Bramin of different faiths. As aBuddhist he called himself as U Pa Sakar. Relation betweenSri Lanka and Wethali were mentioned in his inscription alsoHe offered many essential things of sanghas like copper bowlsand yellow robes to the sanghas of Sri Lanka as well as acow elephant was presented to his counter part king of thattime.A Sula Candra cion by the mane of Sula Maharaza wasdiscovered many years ago. It was inscribed with RakhineAlphabet in obverse side and half and half of Persian andNargri script were inscribed in reverse side. The Rakhinealphabet inscribed in the coin is similar to the bronze lamp inlady figure, inscribed with tm,emaumi f ;r I ofRakhine(Arakanese) Alphabet. Please read the other re-mark in the above columns especially the Annanda Candracolumn.

No Comment

No Comment

No Comment

Ah Mra Tu

Pe Pru

Nga tonNga ton

Pe Pru

Sula Candra


The following were the Bronze & Copper images of the three rulers of 3rd Dhanywaddy period.Those images were enshring in Rakhine land up to the end of Mrauk-U period dated 1785.

Image 1 - The great Mahamuni - (Bronze)Donor King - Sanda Thuria.Date - Maha 123 - BC - 542/7

Image 2 - Shin Gyaw Muni - (Bronze)Donor King - Sanda Thuria.Date - Maha 123 542/7 BC

Image 3 - Yan Aung Myin Muni - (Bronze)Donor King - Sanda Thuria.Date - Maha 123 542/7 BC

Image 4 - Sanda Muni - (Bronze)Donor King - Thuria Cacker.

KawZar - 214278 BC

Image 5 - Thetkya Muni - (Copper)Donor King - Thuria Kula

KawZar - 520 AD 23

N.B - Third Dhanyawaddy period starting from 582 BC to 327 AD Arakan(Rakhine) 543 BC to364 AD.(VS)(Vikram Sambat)


CHAPTER VIIBronze and copper Images of Dhanyawadyperiod

MAHAMUNI SHRINEMahamuni Shrine stands on a 30-ft high hill north

of the palace site. Known as Sirigutta hill, this was theoriginal resting place of the Mahamuni until the KingBodaw Phaya carried the image off to Amarapura in1785.

For centuries, people regarded theMahamuni Image and the shrine with sacreddevotion and religious awe, making a legendto grow--the legend being that of the GreatTeacher’s arrival at Arakan (Rakhine).Sappadanapakarana-a palm leaf manuscriptthat the Buddha with 500 Arahats came toArakan (Rakhine) by areial journey. Whilesojourning in dhanyawaddy, during CandaThuriya’s rule in 554 BC, the Blessed Onecomplied with the king’s request for permis-sion of casting an image of the Teacher. Theking as well as his subjects offered ‘nine - kuti’


worth of precious metal and in the presenceof Buddha, Mahamuni - - the exact likenessof the Buddha was cast. In a 15th centuryAye chonn verse by Adoo Mong Nyo thecasting of the image is described thus:

By the help of VisukarmaThe divine creative geniusIt was wrought- -The present Mahamuni,When it could not be doneWith his hallow of the landThe Master gaveExactly seven timesThe precious metals,“With the warmth of His bosom” And behold

The likeness ofThe Master appearedTo be revered byBrahma, Devas and menThe gift of the pruestOf all hearts.

In the Mahamuni - casting - verse ofthe early 19th century it is also written:When they could notWith nine precious metalsCast it:The Blessed OnePut the warmth of His bosomAnd seven times withThe hollow of His hands


He offered the metalsAnd the Image withThe Lord’s likenessAnimated, only to beForbiddenTo rest thereAs the sacred - most objectAmong the sons of men.After casting Mahamuni, King Canda Thuriya

cast two other images from the same stock of noblemetal. Afterwards 33 smaller likeness of the Mahamuniand countless Mahagyan (lit. left - over) images werealso cast by the King.

Starting from the time of the casting of theMahamuni, the Mahamuni and Sirigutta Hill becamethe centre - piece of Rakhine faith. The image and thehill became an integrated institution. A magnificent shrinewas built during Suriya Citra’s rule (79 - 115A.D).After the perfumed chamber with bricks and donateda ruby - studded gold crown for the Image. During therule of the son of Dven Candra a richly ornameentedstone pedestal was installed. Basides, the shrine wasroofed with brass sheets. After completion of the reno-vation works, the monks from Sri Lanka and otherneighbouring countries were invited to the inaugura-tion ceremony.

Deva figures like the Yeksa General Panada,some receiving sermons and others gurarding the holyprecints, were erected around the shrine abour 5thcentury A.D. Cula Taing Candra, the last Vesali mon-arch, dug ponds for the pilgrims at the western partand many times restored the shrine.

In time, the Mahamuni became renowned andpilgrlms from far - off destinations like Sri Lanka andIndo-China paid regular visits. The Anandamadhabamonastery as stated in the Ananda Candra Inscriptionwas probably situated on this holy ground.

At the end of the Vesali period King Anawrahta(also known as Aniruddha, 1044 - 1077) renovatedthe shrine and an elaborately

ornamented graduated turret above the prayer hall wascredited to him.

King Ah-thaung-khaya (Asankhya, 1068 - 76),of Pyinsa is also accredited for stone stair - casesroofed with graduated turrets (the northern approachstill peserves the old masonry) and also for restora-tion of the shrine.

In two abortive campaigns, Anawrahta MinSaw and Alaung Sithu from Bagan, atempted to carryoff the Mahamuni Image to their captital.

The year 1103 proved to be the worst hour inthe history of Mahamuni, since the Image was lost inhiding. Only when King Datharaza came to the throne(1123 - 39 )was the image discovered and lesser kingsand lords were given the responsibility for its upkeep.A highway was also constructed from his capital cityof Parein to the Mahamuni . He also btook precau-tionary measures against any future safty of the shrine.

King Mong Saw mon , the founding father ofMauk -U, renovated the Mahamuni simultaneouslywith that of his capital.His younger brother, MongKhari, deposited the whole set of tipitaka brought fromSri Lanka in the Pitaka library he had built in the pre-cincts of the shrine.From then on, the Mahamuni andits environs up as the focal point of Buddhist learning.The Mrauk-U kings throughout their reign maintainedthe shrine as the most sacred nurturing ground ofRakhine Buddhist faith. Thiri Thuriya Mong (CandaThuriya Dahammaraza) built numerous monasteriesabout this responsibility of the ordination of 1,000monks every year.

King Naradhipati had the Yattara bell cast andplaced in the platform of Mahamuni Shrine in 1734.The magical formulas and numbered squares make itthe rarest of its kind in the world. The bell inscriptionsin Pali, Rakhine and Sanskrit were used to ward offand work magical spells upon any invading troops.Details of the procedure were inscribed on the bell.This bell was lost in 1950 and never recovered. Whenthe building was ravaged by an earthquake in 1761,King


Mahamuni Sculptures

Thuria Taing Sandra (a) Mahataing Sandra is Synonemous name to Dven Candra, son of ThuriaKetu, the last king of Dhanyawaddy period ascended to the Wethali. Throne in AD 327/ AD 370 with theThu Pabar Devi as his chief Queen Historically was proved that the great king repair and renovated the oldMahamuni Shrine. The king donated and offered a great religious gifts in this occassion. The benevolentreligious gifts of the moreover were in scribed and recorded in one of the Mahamuni stone sculpture on thefigure named as Yaksa Senapti Panada [please see page(37)] of this book. The sculptureed Yaksa SenapatiPanada now stands as a monument and is still found in the precint of Maha Muni Shrine. The successorkings of Wethali period, Lemro period and Mrauk-U period had repaired and renovated the Shrine. The oldroof was replaced with copper sheets. So also gilted regularly with gold untill the time, the great BuddhaImage was off to Amarapura by the Myanmar king Bodaw Phara in AD 1785.

RemarksTo honour the soil of origin and the Maha Muni Image. Maurice Collins, the famous British

author of 20th century entitled his one of the outstanding publication as “The Land Of The Great Image”.To fillup the Rakhine(Arakanese) people tried to carry a statue of Mahamuni stone Buddha

flanked with two smaller statues of Shin Thariputra and Shin Mogalon from the near by cave of Mahamunivillage and also U Rai Kyaw Thu, a rich man from Sittwe tried to cast a replica of Mahamuni Image inMandalay and fillup the blanks of Mahamuni Shrine of Kyauktaw to be worshiped for the Rakhine(Arakan)devothees.

BRONZE AND COPPER IMAGES OF DHANYAWADDY PERIOD.

The following were the Bronze & Copper Images, cast by the three rulers of 3rd Dhanyawaddyperiod. Those Images were enshrining in Rakhine(Arakanese) land up to the end of Mrauk-U period

dated 1785.Image1- The Great Mahamuni - (Bronze) See P 40

Donor King - Sanda ThuriaDate - Maha 123

- BC - 542/7Image2 - Shin Gyaw Muni - (Bronze) See P 41

Donor King - Sandra ThuriaDate - Maha 123

- BC - 542/7 BCImage3 - Yan Aung Myin Muni - (Bronze) See P 41

Donor King - Sandra ThuriaDate -542/7 BC

Image4 - Sanda Muni - (Bronze) See P 38 & 41Donor King - Thuria Cacker

Kawza - 214 278 BC


Pay Homage to Sandamuni Pharagri.There is a new sayings in the old

capital that a visit to Mrauk-U is not accomplishedunless you reach and pay hamage to SandamuniPharagri.

The original Donor of this more than twothousand three hundred years old Bronze Imagewas Thuria Sakka, 6th in the line of KingSandathuria, the founder of Third Dhanyawaddy.This magnificent Pharagri is now resting magesticallyin the precint of for more than a century oldBandoolamonastery in the southern part of Mrauk-U city. The Image is now housed in a newconscerete structure with modern architecturaldesign.

The first place of the Sanda muni Imagewas at Taung-U, a hillock to the north, notvery far from Mrauk-U. The Images was shiftedby Mong Saw Mon, the founder of

Mrauk-U and placed onto the hillock calledBar-Bu Taung. During the British annexation ofRakhine the image was hidden by a few Rakhine(Arakanese) Patriots firstly put to rest under waterfor twelve years and undercement coating for nearlya century to shop the image to be taken away byforeigners. The cement coating of Phara was out-stripped by the Abbot of the monastery in 1987.To the suprise of every one around, the realSandamuni Pharagri is enshrined once again.Bandoola Monastery -This old monastery can be also claimed as a placeof archaeological interest. We can witness manyantques of ancient periods, relics of Arahants andvarious kinds of Artifacts including Buddhas toothrelic. We can observe a piece of copper plate insquare size which happened to be a piece ofMrauk-U Palace Roof.

Image5 - Thetkya Muni - (Copper) See P 41&42Donor King - Thuria Kuha

Kawza - 520 AD 23

N.B - Third Dhanyawaddy period starting from 582 BC to 327 AD Arakan(Rakhine) 543 BC to 364AD. (V.S)

(Vikram Sambat)It is beyond doubt to say that Wethali kings and people could enjoy the worshiping of those

outstanding Buddha Images throughout the Wethali Age.


Thetkyamuni Copper Image

The short accounts of image are-- The image is made of copper, its height 18inches.- Right hand of the image is dropped over theknee but it does not touch the ground.- Left palm rests on its back and the eightpointed star rests on the palm. At the centre ofthe star there exists a wheel that symbolizes theDharmma Sakkra.- There are uncountable minute images on itshead and across the body. It is very rare andcrafitily executed. At the centre of the foreheadthere is spiral mark.- The name of donor is ascribed as the KingSurya Kula (520 R.E)- If we examine this image from the point ofview of iconography its style of execution isneither related with Mrauk-U period nor withLemro as well as Wethali period. It resembleswith threat of Man Aung Myin Muni of Za Lun.

Its face seems to be smiling. The eyesare looking downwards. Its posture is elegantand executed with the rule of Buddhist treatise.The prototype image done by Rakhine(Arakan)can be easily differentiate. The ear lobes ofimage is dropped down, but they do not touchthe image’s shoulder. The two arms do notcontact with the body so we remarks, this im-age was casted and moulded by non other thanRakhine(Arakan) Artisans.

The mudra of this image is a combinedpostures. It was extraordinarly and craftily ex-ecuted. Combining postures are Bhumisphsasand Dhamma Sakkra mudras. Dhamma Sakkrais symbolically expressed with eight pointed star,that indicates the eight cardinal points all thedirections except above and below. It symbol-izes that Dhamma propergates and spread allround. It also denotes the eight ways toNibbana. - By examming this image we canassume that the doner was deeply rooted inBuddhism.


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Image 1


Inscriptions engraved on Sekkyamuni Copper Image

Front - Brami - Yedhamma VerseBack - Rakkhawwuna - Thetkarit 520, Surya Kula

Ahludaw Kaunghmu

This Thetkyamuni Copper Image is now rested is now rested with special shirine in theprecintof Lawkarnanda Pagoda at sittwe.


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Image 4

Image 5


Naga King of Mahamuni

Legible inscription of Yeksa General

Yeksa General PanadaMahamuni Sculptures (5th century A.D.)


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Image 3

Image 2


A Bronze replica of the Mahamuni of Mandalay donated by U Rai Gyaw Thu(19th century A.D.)


A 4’4” high hilt image flanked by two smaller ones on the nearbypedestal. People believed that this image is supposed to be a model

image of Mahamuni now resting at Manadalay. (5th century A.D.)


History Book Part I (B)

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