Walk for Peace Sayadaw in U.S. initiates a project, inspired by Mandalay’s Kuthodaw Pagoda
152
Phyo/Thuta Kyaw (NPNews) - March 11
Based on the communications with monks close to Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the leader of Walk for Peace, it has been learnt that the Sayadaw is working toward inscribing the Tipitaka on stone tablets in the United States, inspired by the historic model of the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay.
The monk is currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas, and is currently working on a project to build a Dhamma Ceti pagoda at Huong Dao Monastery.
“While in Myanmar, the Sayadaw practiced meditation and envisioned establishing such a project. Similar to the stone inscription shrines at Mandalay’s Kuthodaw Pagoda built by King Mindon, the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka would be carved in stone with Pali written in Roman script along with English translations. A main Maha Stupa will also be included, and some of the artistic designs will resemble Myanmar styles,” a monk familiar with the project told The Statesman journal.
In addition, the project includes inscribing the Tripitaka on steel plates in eight languages, including Myanmar, Thai, Laos, and Vietnamese, and these inscriptions will be placed in the main pagoda.
“Myanmar donors are also contributing. They are contributing quite a lot. The project is huge. It is being built at the will of the Sayadaw himself. There will be many statues,” said the monk.
The project is estimated to cost over 200 million U.S. dollars, and Myanmar monks are reportedly participating in the construction of the pagoda. –