Sapada Zedi
There are two zedis "Sapadaw" and "Sapada" at the
entrance of Nyaung U town near Nget Pyit Taung.
Sapada zedi stands in a triangle plot at the
junction of the roads leading to Nyaung U town.
Sapada zedi is locally known as "Paya Ni". The two
zedis were modelled on the design of Stupa Rama zedi
in Anuraddha pura in Sri Lanka. Maha Thera Sapada
built them. Maha Thera Sapada was a native of Sapada
village (now Ngaputaw town) near Pathein town. In
the reign of King Narapatisithu (A.D 12th Century)
he went to Sri Lanka as a young novice monk
accompanying Maha Thera Uttarajiva. He was ordained
in the Kalyani Sima (Ordination Hall of Kalyani) in
Sri Lanka and he spent ten vasas (ordained years) in
that country.
When Maha Thera Uttarajiva returned to Bagan,
Maha Thera Sapada remained in Sri Lanka. Having
resided in that country over ten years he returned
to Bagan. With him came Monks Thiwali of Tamalaida
village. Tamalainda of Camboza city, Ananda of
Keinsipura city and Rahula of Anuraddha city. These
four monks knew Tipitaka by rote. Maha Thera
Uttarajiva passed away in the year Maha Thera Sapada
arrived back. Maha Thera Sapada was a noted monk who
bridged Buddha Sasana of Sri Lanka with Buddha
Sasana of Bagan.
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