The flourishing of Buddhism

The Contributions of Successive Kings to the Prosperity of Buddhism at Shwedagon Pagoda

Queen Shin Saw Pu's Contributions
In the year 814 ME, the daughter of King Razadarit, Shin Saw Pu, who received the title of Vihara Kyantaw, greatly revered the Shwedagon Pagoda when she ruled the Hanthawaddy throne. Out of her deep devotion, she donated a large golden robe, enough to cover the entire stupa, equivalent to her own body weight of 25 viss (91 pounds).
She also paved the pagoda platform with stone slabs and constructed a seven-tiered Maha Rhan Dain (Great Circular Wall) around the stupa. She planted various fruit trees within this enclosure, such as palm, coconut, Coryphe umbraculifera, cobra saffron, mango, and jackfruit tree. Additionally, stone staircases were built on the four sides of the pagoda. Queen Shin Saw Pu also donated four villages and 500 slaves. She appointed 1,006 officials to oversee and maintain these contributions during her reign.
King Dhammazedi's Contributions
In 820 ME, King Dhammazedi, the son-in-law of Queen Shin Saw Pu (Banyar Kyan Taw, an honors degree), continued his mother-in-law’s legacy. As a devoted Buddhist monk-king, he donated a large bell weighing 10,000 viss (approximately 36,000 pounds). This bell, known as the Dhammazedi Bell, was 8 cubits in diameter and 12 cubits in height. Unfortunately, it was taken by the Portuguese governor of Syriam, Filipe de Brito e Nicote, in 1608 and subsequently lost in the Yangon River. King Dhammazedi also recorded the Shwedagon Pagoda’s history and previous contributions of the king like Banyar OO, on three stone inscriptions in Mon, Burmese, and Pali. These inscriptions were placed 50 cubits deep near the eastern staircase of the pagoda. (They are currently located at the Sunday Corner, west of the Shwedagon Pagoda platform). Additionally, he donated a large bell to the Dhammazedi pagoda and Tiger-lion pagoda image in the same year in 847 ME.
King Hsinbyushin's Contributions
In 1130 ME, during the reign of King Hsinbyushin, the second son of King Alaungpaya of the Konbaung Dynasty, a severe earthquake damaged the upper part of the Shwedagon Pagoda, including the finial and the decorative bands. King Hsinbyushin ordered the restoration of the stupa by reinforcing it with nine hundred layers of square iron frames. He also enshrined 625 gold and 7,746 silver Buddhas, along with gold and silver stupas containing relics. The damaged upper portion was reconstructed using 87 cubits of iron and 2 mikes (approx. 16 feet) to ensure stability. He used over a hundred thousand iron and copper screws to reinforce the structure. The pagoda was further gilded with 47 viss of gold. A new hti (umbrella) made of iron and bronze was constructed, with a base diameter of nine cubits and seven tiers adorned with a variety of gems. This new hti contained 270 viss of gold and 15,038 gems, including the Navaratna (nine precious stones). The hti was installed with great ceremony on the full moon day of Tabaung in 1136 ME.
King Singu’s Contributions
In 1138 ME, King Singu, the son of King Hsinbyushin, made significant contributions to the Shwedagon Pagoda. He fully gilded the pagoda with gold leaf. At the four entrances of the pagoda, he constructed royal tiers and pavilions, including statues of Kakusandha Buddha at the eastern entrance, Konagamana Buddha at the southern entrance, Kassapa Buddha at the western entrance (replacing the original statue that was destroyed by fire), and Gautama Buddha at the northern entrance. These statues were cast in the five metals (Panchaloha). On the first day of the waxing moon of the month of Tapo in 1140 ME, King Singu cast a large bell with a diameter of 5 cubits, a height of 7 cubits, and a weight of 15,555 viss (approximately 56,000 pounds). This bell, known for its melodious sound and historical significance, is hung in the bell pavilion at the Rahu corner of the pagoda. After the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1824, the British attempted to transport this bell to England, but it fell into the Yangon River. Later, due to the collective efforts and faith of the Burmese people, the bell was retrieved and rehung in its original place.
King Tharrawaddy’s Contributions
King Tharrawaddy, who twice established Shwebo as the royal capital, also made significant contributions to Shwedagon Pagoda. Along with his queen, sons, and daughters, he donated 12 viss (approximately 44 pounds) of gold to gild the entire stupa. He also donated a large bell with a diameter of three cubits and a height of thirteen cubits, weighing 25,949 viss (approximately 93,000 pounds), decorated with four mythical lions (Chinthe). On the full moon day of Tabaung in 1206 ME, the Hamsavati mayor supervised the grand ceremonial offering of the bell. This bell, the largest at Shwedagon, is known as the “Great Bell of Tharrawaddy” and is located at the northeast Sunday corner of the pagoda. Additionally, King Tharrawaddy donated two bells and Queen of the Western Palace of King Tharrawaddy (Anauk Namadaw Ma Mya Lay) renovated the northern staircase and the west-south main stairway.
King Mindon’s Contributions
In 1214 ME, King Mindon, the ruler of Mandalay, took control of the Shwedagon Pagoda after Lower Burma fell under British rule. In 1231 ME, upon request by local leaders U Thaw Lay and U Htun Aung, King Mindon agreed to renew the deteriorated umbrella (hti) that had been installed by King Hsinbyushin 95 years earlier. The new umbrella was constructed with 9 cubits in diameter and 14 cubits in height, adorned with various precious stones including rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and emeralds, totaling 36,411 gems. The hti was gilded with 20,299 viss of gold (approximately 72,000 pounds). On the eighth day of the waxing moon of the month of Natdaw in 1233 ME, the Mayor of Pobbathiri, representing King Mindon, organized a grand ceremony to install the new hti at the Shwedagon Pagoda. King Mindon also fully gilded the stupa.
The Public Benefaction under Colonial Rule
In the year 1233 ME, King Mindon offered a new golden umbrella as an act of merit. Subsequently, in 1234 ME (1871 AD), the British colonial government appointed five members to the trusteeship committee. Along with the appointment, the trustees were endowed with 14 administrative rights. These rights or regulations were meticulously established. In 1885, the trustees of the Shwedagon Pagoda sought legal approval for compliance with the Trusteeship Act, which was confirmed by the Recorder. During this period, the trustees in charge made numerous efforts to remove the British military encampment from the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Under British colonial rule, the trustees adhered to the established regulations, conducting religious activities such as offering golden umbrellas and restoring religious buildings, including the Shwedagon Pagoda. The gilding of the banana bud section of the Shwedagon Pagoda began in 1260 ME and was successfully completed in 1266 ME. The ceremonial opening of the gilded banana bud was led by high-ranking British officials and the head monks of the Hansawaddy group, marked by cannon and gunfire, celebrated with great festivity.

Welfare of National Peace and Development Council
The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) undertook significant projects beginning in 1989, after assuming national responsibilities in 1988. These projects included the construction of the Thinguttara Garden within the precincts of the Shwedagon Pagoda, the establishment of the Maha Buddhavamsa Museum, as well as the building of a library, an archive, and other facilities. These initiatives were implemented from 1989 to 1992. Additionally, the government developed a People’s Square and a large People’s Park connected to the western facade of the Shwedagon Pagoda.

A significant project was also undertaken to construct a long, straight western stairway to facilitate easier and more convenient access for pilgrims visiting the pagoda. The council responsible for ongoing comprehensive renovations and maintenance received advice from senior monks at the Shwedagon Pagoda and planned 36 major projects to be executed. Initially, ten of these projects were prioritized and commenced.
These included the following projects:

1. Gilding the main stupa with gold leaf.
2. Reconstructing the eastern stairway.
3. Reconstructing the southern stairway.
4. Installing two new escalators on the eastern side.
5. Installing two new escalators on the southern side.
6. Renovating the stone tiles in the main courtyard.
7. Refurbishing the planetary posts and oil lamp stands.
8. Gilding the pillars on the western stairway.
9. Constructing a rest house for foreign visitors on the western stairway.
10. Renovating and reconstructing the Thinguttara Garden.

By the end of 1998, these ten major projects and many smaller ones were completed. Additional projects that were not originally planned were also successfully undertaken, such as:

– Renovating and reconstructing the northern stairway.
– Installing escalators on the northern side.
– Constructing a large 24,000-gallon concrete water tank on the northern side.
– Building large lion statues on the western side.
– Renovating the main entrance on the southern side.

In 1999, the Shwedagon Pagoda received a new gold umbrella (hti), along with various other donations, such as gold plates, gold leaf, and offerings to replace the deteriorated umbrella, which had endured weather damage over 128 years since King Mindon Min’s reign.
To ensure the new umbrella (hti) would be durable and long-lasting, it was constructed using stainless steel to prevent rust. Experts and specialists combined their knowledge with modern technology to create the new hti. The new umbrella was ornately decorated with donations from the public, including funds, jewels, gold, and silver, resulting in a majestic and splendid structure.

Consequently, the state leaders personally oversaw the project, with the full participation of the public. The grand and successful consecration ceremony for the new hti of the Shwedagon Pagoda took place over three days, from April 4 to April 6, 1999.