Myanmar 14 Bagan Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery

1
14
Mingalaba
Myanmar!
2
Bagan (formerly Pagan) was one of the glories of
Asia, described by Marco Polo as "one of the
finest sights in the world
3
Nat Taung Kyaung (or Nat-taung Monastery, also
known at May-taung Taik), is located in the
vicinity of Taung-bi village and immediately to
the north of the town walls of Old Bagan.
Although its date of founding is uncertain, it is
probably the region's oldest, as well as its
finest, wooden monastery.
Nat Taung Kyaung monastery
4
(No Transcript)
5
(No Transcript)
6
Myoe Daung Kyaung or Myo Daung Monastery means
the Monastery at the corner of the city
7
(No Transcript)
8
Unlike the far older brick, stone and stucco
stupas and temples that have survived in the
Bagan Archaeological Zone, Bagan monasteries, and
those of Myanmar in general, were generally made
of wood.
9
(No Transcript)
10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)
12
(No Transcript)
13
Many of the wooden monasteries with architectural
significance have disappeared over the centuries
for a variety of reasons. Unlike the temples and
stupas, which were sites of public veneration and
worship, monasteries were places of residence for
monks who had little or no income and were
expected to accept their given conditions.
Wealthy individuals had often built elaborate
monasteries and enclaves as personal donations to
earn merit along the road to Nirvana. But the
maintenance and renovation of these buildings did
not carry the same weight among their descendents
who preferred to build their own new structures.
14
(No Transcript)
15
Monastic buildings, and wooden houses in general,
were usually set on wooden platforms that offered
ventilation as well as some protection from
snakes and a variety of other unwelcome and
unsavory intruders. Such is the case at Nat
Taung.
16
(No Transcript)
17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
(No Transcript)
21
(No Transcript)
22
The complex actually contains two monasteries,
numerous pavilions, rest houses and ancillary
buildings. The main monastery building, with an
east-west orientation, is approximately 130 ft. x
115 ft. (40 m. x 35 m)
23
(No Transcript)
24
(No Transcript)
25
(No Transcript)
26
(No Transcript)
27
(No Transcript)
28
Its glory and what should be a major claim to
prominence lies in its numerous woodcarvings
which are also mostly from the late Kon-baung
period of the mid- to late 19th century.
29
(No Transcript)
30
(No Transcript)
31
(No Transcript)
32
(No Transcript)
33
(No Transcript)
34
In the center of the compound  are four standing
buddhas that are almost 10 meters in height and
made of solid teak they are representative of
the four buddhas that have attained nirvana. Of
the four standing buddhas, only two are original
because the other two were  destroyed by fire.
The Buddha Images are Kassapa, Kakusanda,
Konagamana and Gotama
35
The attention to detail in the carvings has made
the monastery a popular attraction
36
(No Transcript)
37
(No Transcript)
38
(No Transcript)
39
(No Transcript)
40
(No Transcript)
41
(No Transcript)
42
There have been occasional efforts at
refurbishment, but recently much of the main
monastery building has been undergoing careful
restoration. Funds have reported come from
abroad, while the Department of Archaeology has
assumed responsibility for its maintenance at
this time and has done much to restore its former
glory with authenticity. The nearby wooden
Taung-bi Monastery, for example, was even
disassembled in an effort to provide craftsmen
with familiarity with construction techniques
that could be used in refurbishing other
monasteries.
43
(No Transcript)
44
(No Transcript)
45
children selling hand-drawn postcards
46
An old Asian proverb says the worlds most
beautiful women have a Thai smile, Indian eyes,
and Burmese skin. Perhaps the Burmese have
thanaka to thank for the glowing reputation of
their complexion.
47
(No Transcript)
48
(No Transcript)
49
(No Transcript)
50
Text Internet Pictures Sanda Foisoreanu
Internet All  copyrights  belong to their
 respective owners Presentation Sanda
Foisoreanu
2013
Sound Hlaing Win Maung - Light green
(Kyo Song of The Bo Tree)