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Hpaung Daw U Pagoda, Inle Lake

Hpaung Daw U Pagoda, also spelt Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, is a notable Buddhist site in Myanmar (Burma), located on the Inle Lake in Shan State.

The pagoda houses five small gilded images of Buddha, which have been covered in gold leaf to the point that their original forms cannot be seen. The gold-leaf application to such excess is relatively recent. Old photographs hanging on the monastery walls show some of the images in a more pristine form. It is reported that some gold has been removed on occasion to reduce its mass.

Although the monastery is open to all for veneration, only men are permitted to place gold leaf on the images. Another part of the ritual for pilgrims is to place a small robe or thingan around the images, and to take the robe back to their houses and place it on their own altar as a token of respect for the Buddha and his teachings.

The images are of differing sizes, range from about nine to eighteen inches tall. Being essentially solid gold, the images are extremely heavy. It is believed that the Buddha images were brought to Inlay Lake by King Alaungsithu.

Approaching the pagoda by boat.

Buddha sculpture protected by Mucalinda.
Mucalinda is the name of a naga, a snake-like being, who protected the Gautama Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment.

  • It is said that six weeks after Gautama Buddha began meditating under the Bodhi Tree, the heavens darkened for seven days, and a prodigious rain descended.
  • However, the mighty King of Serpents, Mucalinda, came from beneath the earth and protected with his hood the One who is the source of all protection.
  • See more at Mucalinda - Wikipedia.

North corridor to access the pagoda.

Phaung Daw U Buddhas in the central shrine of the main hall.
The images of Buddha have been covered in gold leaf to the point that their original forms cannot be seen.


Phaung Daw U Pagoda Festival karaweik barge.
Painting inside the central hall depicting the Phaung Daw U Pagoda Festival karaweik barge.

  • Annually, during the Burmese month of Thadingyut (from September to October), an 18-day pagoda festival is held, during which four of the Buddha images are placed on a replica of a royal barge designed as a hintha bird and taken throughout Inle Lake.
  • The elaborately decorated barge is towed by several boats of leg-rowers rowing in unison, and other accompanying boats, making an impressive procession on the water.
  • The barge is towed from village to village along the shores of the lake in clockwise fashion

Buddha and the snake Mucalinda.
Painting inside the central hall representing Buddha and the snake Mucalinda.


See also

Source

Location

Location: MW5H+HM4, Phaung Daw Side Rd, Nyaungshwe, Myanmar (Burma)