Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – East side of the terrace

Just at the back of the replica of hti is the Bo Bo Aung Shrine (39). Bo Bo Aung was the famous Burmese wizard of early 19th century who acquired great supernatural powers. Many Burmese believe that Bo Bo Aung, with his magical power, can live a life of longevity. Many people believe that he is still alive and look after those who believe in him. It should be stressed here that these wizard figures are in fact outside the belief of Buddhism, but somehow, they managed to get a place in Buddhist pagodas throughout Myanmar.

Near the Tazaung of the Eastern Stairway is the Daw Ngwe Zin’s Hall (40). In this Tazaung, there are a number of Buddha images including reclining Buddha and a crowned Buddha known as Labhamuni (Sage of Acquisition). One interesting article in this Tazaung is the sand stone cylinder, which can be viewed from the side. This sand stone cylinder is 5 feet high with a hollow core, and is made up of seven pieces of cylindrical rings stacked one above the other. Know as the “Thousand Buddhas”, it has 365 seated Buddha images on its surface.

Directly across the Tazaung of the Eastern Stairway is the (41) Eastern Main Shrine (Eastern Devotion Hall). The original Tazaung was built by Ma Mya Kalay, wife of King Tharyarwaddy of Ava, and was renovated by U Kalagyi in 1869. In one 1895 record, this Tazaung was described as “the handsomest on the pagoda platform”. The original Tazaung had screen carvings which featured previous lives of Buddha. The original Tazaung was destroyed in 1931 fire and was rebuilt by land owner U Myaing in 1939 has screen carving with peacocks, symbol of nationalism. Buddha image in this Tazaung is that of Kakusandha Buddha. This Buddha image, Known as Latpetlet (Latpatlat) Buddha, as well as other images in front of the main Buddha, is unusual in which the right hand is turned upward, not the usual downward posture. (Lapatlat in Burmese means upward turned hand).

Behind this Eastern Devotion Hall is the wish-fulfilling Buddha known as Tawagu Buddha (42). This pagoda is traditionally believed to have a magic ruby inside the head. The eyes of the Buddha image are very lively and look like real eyes. For this reason, the Tawagu Buddha is also known as “Live Ruby Eyes Buddha” (Padamya Myet Shin Buddha). The pagoda is situated in the niche behind the Easter Devotion Hall of Shwedagon Pagoda, on the upper terrace. According to popular legend, princes and nobles were not allowed to pray at this Buddha image during the time of Burmese and Mon kings. The reason for this was due to the fact that those princes who were going to rebel against the rule of the king used to come and pray at this pagoda.

To the right of the Tazaung of the eastern stairway is U Nyo Tazaung (43). The handsome hall was built in 1938, and has beautiful decorative roof and spandrels. The decorative features of the roof and the iron tracery of the spandrels were the execution of Saya Thant of Mandalay. There are elegant mosaic works in the roof and the walls inside the hall. There are also 17 panels of beautiful screen carvings which depict the life of Gautama Buddha, wish such scenes as ascetic Kaladevala predicting that the young Prince Siddhartha would become Buddha, and then cried when he realized that he would not live to see the boy becoming Buddha.

Note: The Shwedagon floor plan indicating these places can be viewed atShwedagon Floor Plan.

Related posts:

1. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – South East of the terrace
2. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Structures on western terrace
3. Shwedagon Pagoda guide – structures in the North East
4. Shwedagon Pagoda guide – structures on south and southwest terrace
5. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Nine wonders of Shwedagon Pagoda