Thousands of people gathered at Win Sein Tawya Monastery to mark the 105th birth anniversary of its founder, a prominent Buddhist monk known for commissioning the world’s largest free-standing reclining Buddha statue, according to monastery officials.
The ceremony, held on January 12, was conducted exclusively through religious observances, without entertainment or public festivities. Organizers said more than 10,000 people attended, along with approximately 700 Buddhist monks from monasteries across the region.
The late monk, Venerable Bhaddanta Kesara, who held the honorary title Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika, was the founder of Win Sein Tawya Monastery and the patron of the approximately 400-foot-long reclining Buddha statue located on the monastery grounds.
A senior monk at the monastery, Venerable Ashin Tikkha, said attendance this year exceeded that of previous years, despite the absence of cultural performances. He added that the event focused on merit-making activities, including alms offerings and donations.
Organizers arranged 46 food distribution pavilions for attendees. Alms, supplies, and monetary donations were provided to monks from 130 monasteries, with each monastery receiving 170,000 kyats, according to monastery representatives.
Venerable Bhaddanta Kesara, an ethnic Mon monk, was ordained at the age of 50 and died in April 2005 at the age of 94. His relics are enshrined at Win Sein Tawya Monastery and remain.
In addition to the reclining Buddha statue, the monastery complex includes a 70-foot statue of Shin Upagutta, a revered figure in Theravada Buddhism. A separate 180-foot seated Buddha statue commissioned by the monk stands at the entrance of his native village in Mudon Township.
Organizers noted that while the anniversary previously included public entertainment events, the program has been limited to religious activities since the COVID-19 pandemic.
