Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda: Myanmar's Golden Sacred Site

The Shwedagon Pagoda, officially named Shwedagon Zedi Daw and also known as the Great Dagon Pagoda or Golden Pagoda, stands as the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, located on Singuttara Hill in Yangon. Its immense gilded stupa, reaching 112 meters in height, is an iconic feature of the Yangon skyline and a focal point of religious devotion.

History and Legend

Legend imbues the Shwedagon Pagoda with an extraordinary antiquity, claiming its construction over 2,500 years ago while the Buddha himself was still alive. This tradition holds that two merchants, Tapussa and Bhallika, received eight strands of the Buddha's hair and were instructed to enshrine them in a stupa. King Okkalapa of Dagon is said to have facilitated this, incorporating relics of the three preceding Buddhas as well. While this legendary origin places its founding in antiquity, the earliest verifiable mention in royal chronicles dates to the 14th century CE, with significant renovations and height increases recorded in the 15th century by Queen Shin Saw Pu and King Dhammazedi.

The pagoda has faced challenges throughout its history, including damage from earthquakes. Major rebuilding efforts occurred after a significant earthquake in 1768, which necessitated raising the stupa to its current height. The pagoda's adornments have also been a continuous focus, with successive monarchs and devotees donating gold leaf to maintain its dazzling appearance. By the early 16th century, the Shwedagon Pagoda had firmly established itself as a premier Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Architecture and Design

The Shwedagon Pagoda is a magnificent example of religious architecture. Its base is a brick plinth covered in gold plates, rising to terraces accessible only to monks and males. Above this is the main bell-shaped stupa, followed by a series of decorative elements culminating in the 'diamond bud' at its apex. This crowning jewel is adorned with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies, with a significant 76-carat diamond at the very top. The entire structure is covered in genuine gold plates, attached with traditional rivets, a testament to ongoing devotion and maintenance.

Four main entrances lead to the platform, each guarded by a pair of giant leogryphs. The eastern and southern approaches are lined with vendors selling religious items, flowers, and amulets. The pagoda's design incorporates directional shrines dedicated to the four previous Buddhas: Kakusandha (east), Koṇāgamana (south), Kassapa (west), and Gautama (north), reflecting a common practice of clockwise circumambulation.

Religious and Cultural Significance

The Shwedagon Pagoda is central to Buddhist practice in Myanmar. It is customary for devotees to perform a blessing ritual, often involving pouring water onto Buddha images at their respective planetary posts, which are determined by the day of the week of their birth. These posts are marked by animal symbols representing each day. The pagoda's plinth is octagonal and surrounded by eight small shrines, each corresponding to a planetary post.

Beyond its religious importance, the Shwedagon Pagoda has also been a significant site for political activism and national identity. Students planned protests against colonial rule from its terraces in 1920, and it has been a gathering place for major demonstrations demanding independence and democracy, notably in 1946 with General Aung San and in 1988 with Aung San Suu Kyi. The issue of shoe-wearing within its precincts also became a symbol of Burmese resistance against colonial disregard for religious customs.

Notable Events and Replicas

Throughout its history, the Shwedagon Pagoda has witnessed events of both plunder and preservation. In 1608, it was plundered by Portuguese adventurer Filipe de Brito e Nicote. During the Anglo-Burmese Wars, the British occupied and used the pagoda as a fortress, leading to instances of vandalism and the attempted removal of its bells. Lord Maung Htaw Lay is credited with preventing further looting during the Second Anglo-Burmese War and initiating renovations.

Several replicas of the Shwedagon Pagoda exist, including the Uppatasanti Pagoda in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, and another at Lumbini Natural Park in Indonesia. A monastery modeled after the pagoda was also inaugurated in Minnesota, United States.