Mahamuni Buddha Temple
| Maha Muni Buddha Temple | |
|---|---|
Mahamuni Buddha at the temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Theravada Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Country | Mandalay, Mandalay Region, Myanmar (Burma) |
| Geographic coordinates | 21°57′6.73″N 96°4′43.03″E / 21.9518694°N 96.0786194°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | King Bodawpaya |
| Completed | 1785 (rebuilt, after 1884 fire) |
The Mahamuni Buddha Temple (Burmese: မဟာမုနိရှင်တော်မြတ်ကြီး, Burmese pronunciation: [məhà mṵnḭ pʰəjádʑí]) is a Buddhist temple and major pilgrimage site, located southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). The Mahamuni Image (lit. 'The Great Sage') is enshrined in this temple, and originally came from Arakan. It is highly venerated in Burma and central to many people's lives, as it is seen as an expression of representing the Buddha's life.
Ancient tradition refers to only five likenesses of the Buddha made during his lifetime; two were in India, two in paradise, and the fifth is the Mahamuni Image in Myanmar. Legend holds that the Buddha himself visited the Dhanyawadi city of Arakan in 554 BC. King Sanda Thuriya requested that an image be cast of him. Once complete, the Buddha breathed upon it, and thereafter the image took on his exact likeness.