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1. The Chaṭṭa Sangāyanā Souvenir Album (Portable Document File)

Download Link: https://baganpaper.com/download/Six_Buddhist_Synod.pdf

2. Fifth Buddhist Synod:

Than Tun, Dr., The Royal Order of Burma, Part Nine, A.D. 1853-1885

See more: Fifth Buddhist Synod (P- 171, 183, 240)

Download Link: https://myanmar-law-library.org/law-library/ancient-burmese-law/yazathats/the-royal-orders-9-than-tun.html

3. Mendelson, E. Michael, Sangha and State in Burma: A Study of Monastic Sectarianism and Leadership, Cornall University Press, 1975 (Rare Book, No Digital File)

 

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuthodaw_Pagoda (World’s Largest Book)

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The World’s Biggest Book

Mahalawkamarazein Kuthodaw Pagoda

The 729 two-sided slabs known as the “World’s Biggest Book” are inscribed with texts of the Buddhist canon. Namely, 410 Suttas, 111 Vinaya, and 208 Abhidhamma.

1. This pagoda was built by King Mindon in 1859 AD, its height is 187 feet, 9 inches.
2. The inscribing on the 729 marble stone slabs of the Buddhist canon (Tripitaka Texts) was started in 1860 and completed in 1868.
3. The contents of the 729 monoliths of white marble stone slabs (Tripitaka Texts) are as follows:

• Three Books of Sutta Pitaka on (410) marble slabs.
• Five Books of Vinaya Pitaka on (111) marble slabs.
• Seven Books of Abhidhamma Pitaka on (208) marble slabs.
• The inscribing history of all marble slabs on (1) slab.
• The Dhamma Cetis (each slab ha a small temple erected over it) were erected within three enclosures of the pagoda on 13 acres of land.

Maha Lawkamarazein

Maha Lawkamarazein, also known as the Kuthodaw Inscription Shrines, is a collection of 729 stone slabs at Kuthodaw Pagoda in Myanmar on which were inscribed the whole of the Buddhist scriptures in 1868. King Mindon approved the inscription at the Fifth Great Synod in 1871. 

King Mindon and Theravāda Buddhism

King Mindon was the 10th successor of the Kobaung Monarchy. He wished to leave something for posterity that would last thousands of years to honor Buddha and commissioned the Tipotaka (ancient collections of Buddhist scriptures) of Theravada Buddhism on stone slabs.

Fifth Great Synod

In 1871, King Mindon convened the Fifth Great Synod to recite and examine Buddhism. It was presided over by 2,400 monks and lasted five months. The entire Tipitaka, inscribed on 729 stone slabs, was approved by the council.

How Long Did It Take to Inscribe the Stones?

This monumental task, done by monks and skilled craftsmen, required a whole day to chisel 10 to 12 lines and eight years (1860-1868) to complete all 729 stone slabs. The text was meticulously edited by senior monks and lay officials consulting the Tipitaka on palm-leaf manuscripts. 

Housed in Masonry Shrines

Each stone slab, made of marble (crystalline lime stone), was housed in a masonry shrine within the precincts of the Kuthodaw Pagoda, built by King Mindon in 1857, in Mandalay. They still stand to this day. 

Book of the Pitaka Inscribed on Stones

In 1900, a print copy of the text on the 729 stone slabs came out in a set of 38 volumes of about 400 pages each. The publisher claimed that the books were “true copies of the Pitaka inscribed on stones by King Mindon.” 

King Mindon, Mandalay, and Community

Mandalay was founded by King Mindon in 1857 and the majority of the monuments there were built in that year or soon after. These stone Inscriptions were created for community and society. During his reign, many religious and welfare initiatives were undertaken, including the palace, the city walls, pagodas, and monasteries.

19th Century Myanmar

The slabs highlight the socioeconomic, socio-political, global communication, and religious morality in Buddhism and Buddhist communities. They also provide valuable information on major themes in 19th century Myanmar and Buddhist religions in world history and culture. 

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