Pilgrims swarm to see Buddha's bee-beard
By Phyo Wai Kyaw | Thursday, 19 June 2014More than 1000 pilgrims, inspired by an ancient saying, gathered at a statue of Buddha in Mandalay to see a swarm of bees forming the shape of a beard on the Buddha's face. In local mythology, the sight of bees swarming in the shape of Buddha's beard means a chance of riches through good luck.
Pilgrims pay respect to the Buddha statue of swarm of bees form the shape of beard on last June 16 by Phyo Wai Kyaw.
The 75-foot (22-metre) statue, Doukara Sarija – which translates to austerities practised by future Buddhas in their final existence before the attainment of Buddhahood – stands in Wipularyama monastery on the corner of 62nd and 30th streets in Chan Aye Thar San township. The bees began swarming on the statue's chin on June 14.
A nun from the Myanandar Convent at the foot of Mandalay Hill said her group had carried an 80-year-old grandmother to view the statue because of her desire to pay respect for the phenomenon.
"It started about 3pm," said 67-year-old U Hla Win, who built the statue in 2010. "Swarming bees in the shape of a beard means the chance of food and wealth. It also means that Buddha's dispensation will develop further, and the doctrine of dhamma will flourish."
He said the statue, the tallest in Mandalay, took a year to build and cost about K120 million. He built it to remind Buddhists that only through practising their faith could they escape the cycle of rebirth.
"I built it not just for myself, but for all," he said.
U Hla Win said he had worked at various times as a car mechanic, bus conductor, driver, public servant, general store owner, sawmill owner and property broker. He said he had financed the building of the statue by selling some land and hoped that the Wipularyama monastery in which it stands would become an attraction for pilgrims.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/06/20/pilgrims-swarm-to-see-buddhas-bee-beard/
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