The Ananda Temple in Bagan,Myanmar The Ananda temple was erected by king Kyansittha in 1090 A.D.It is filled with Myanmar architectural mansonry so that the visitors from abroad extol its architectural beauty and splendor. Unlike other shrine,which have only one main entrance,this temple has four entrances,four different directions so that it was built in the shape of a cross.Only one other religious temple,the Dhammayangyi was built in a similar shape. The rectangular shaped wings on each side measure 200 feet wide with the entrance gate a little lower.The height of the shrine is about 172 feet.From one end of the wing to the other opposite end it is 289 feet.The walling from east to west is 596 feet,and from north to south is 592 feet.The shrine consists of seven tiers There are three circular walkways.The extreme outer walkway is meant for all pilgrims,the middle one is for the royalty,and the innermost walkway is meant for monks.Towards the middle of the entrance there is stone tablet with the foot imprint of Buddha.This stone tablet is now surrounded by an iron grille. Along the walkway one can see a lot of Buddha images in niches of the walls.Although the edifice is in the form of a cave,it is built in such a way that there is good ventilation and light within.It is said that there are altogether about 10000 lesser stupas on the entire edifice. There are also a vast collection of green glazed terracotta plaques in the Ananda which depict Buddha's victory of Mara,the Evil spirit and his army and the Buddha's 550 lesser lives and 10 major lives of Jataka. The entrance to each of the four porticoes is guarded by two door guardians seated on pedestals in arched riches.Within the portico itself,with its four huge pillars,a further two guardians guard the entrance to the main square block. Inside the main block,two narrow vaulted corridors run parallel to each other along the four sides.Two tiers of small lancet windows along the thick walls provide a dim illumination creating the impression of being in a deep natural grotto.The block of masonry in the centre,which supports the superstructure above,Within these alcoves are standing Buddha images,31 feet high,their faces wonderfully illumined by light filtering in from dormer windows above. Standing Buddhas Kassapa -- South facing Kakusandha -- North facing Konagamana -- East facing Gotama -- West facing The four standing Buddhas are adorned withgold leaf and each Buddha image faces a direction, from north to south, stated to represent attainment of a state of nirvana; each is given a specific name, Kassapa (in Pāli),the third of the five Buddhas' of the present kalpa (the Bhaddakappa or 'Fortunate Aeon'),-- south facing, Kakusandha (in (Pāli),the name of the first of the five Buddhas of the present kalpa,-- north facing, Konagamana,the name of the second of the five Buddhas of the present era,--east facing, and Gotama facing west. Out of the four images, the images facing north and south are said to be original,of the Bagan-style depicting the dhammachakka mudra, a hand position symbolizing the Buddha's first sermon, while the other two images are new replacements, after the originals were destroyed by fires. All the four images are made of solid teak wood. The original south facing Buddha (called the Kassapa) has a unique architectural display, as, when it is viewed from close quarters depicts a sad look. However, the same image viewed from a distance gives an expression of mirthfulness. The east and west facing Buddha images are made in the later Konbaung or Mandalay style. The east-facing image of Buddha (known as 'Konagamana') is shown holding, between the thumb and middle finger,a small nutlike sphere --a herb. This herb is said to symbolically represent the Buddha suggesting dhamma (Buddhist philosophy) as a cure for misery and distress. In this mudra, both arms hang at the sides with palms stretching out. This mudra is not seen in traditional Buddhist sculpture outside this temple. In the west-facing Buddha, titled Gotama, the abhaya mudra is displayed -- with hands outstretched in the gesture of fearlessness. At the feet of this Buddha two life-size statues made in lacquer, representing the crowned figure of King Kyanzittha kneeling piously in prayer, and Shin Arahan, the Mon monk who converted the King into Theravada Buddhism (meaning "the Teaching of the Elders").

• published: 31 Oct 2013
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