Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, Inwa

Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, commonly known as the Me Nu Brick Monastery, is a historic Buddhist monastery in Inwa, Mandalay Region, Myanmar (Burma).

The monastery was built by Queen Nanmadaw Me Nu in 1818 to serve as the residence of her religious preceptor, the Nyaunggan Sayadaw. The monastery was restored in 1873 by Queen Hsinbyumashin.

Climbing towards the monastery gate.
Two large Chinthes, the Burmese mythological lions, protect the entrance, as is the case with most Burmese temples.

Monastery gate.

Sign giving some information about the monastery.

Approaching the monastery.

Southwest corner of the monastery.
During those days it was customary for monasteries to be build out of wood. Most wooden monasteries and Palaces have been destroyed by fires or have been very badly weathered.

The brick monastery was built in the same style as the wooden monasteries of its time.
It has a multi tiered roof and its stucco ornamentations look like wood carvings that wooden monasteries were decorated with.

South side of the west pavilion.

South entrance to the west pavilion.
The west pavilion is on the left side of the photo, and the east pavilion is on the right.

Detail of the south entrance door of the west pavilion.

South entrance to the east pavilion.

Southeast corner of the monastery.

East side of the monastery.
The east side of the monastery is entirely occupied by the east pavilion.

Free space between the east pavilion (left) and the west pavilion (right).
This photo is taken from north to south.

In the distance we can see one of the golden stupas that is located south of the monastery.

North entrance to the east pavilion.
The east pavilion is a prayer hall of seven-tiered superstructure.

Set of stupas located east of the monastery.
On the grounds of the monastery are a number of white stupas in different sizes topped with golden hti’s, a spire ornament in the shape of an umbrella.