Shin Arahan Oakkyaung
Nearby there is the famous Shin Arahan Oakkyaung
or the Shin Arahan Brick Monastery. It was known to
be the dwelling of the Shin Arahan during the
ancient Bagan time. Shin Arahan, the most vulnerable
monk of Bagan period, was a native of Thatone known
as Suvannabhumi. His ordained name was Shin
Dhammadasi. Having accomplished the learning of
Tipitaka (the three books of Buddhas teachings) and
later on attained the Arahathood, he became to be
well-known as Shin Arahan. During the year of A.D
1053, Shin Arahan came from Thatone to Bagan to
carry out religious missionary work. He dwelt in a
solitary hermitage in a glade not too far from Bagan.
When Shin Arahan, the most vulnerable monk from
Thaton came to Bagan, King Anawrahta who had long
been desirous of embracing the true Faith of
Theravada Buddhism, was so delighted and he so
revered the most vulnerable that he built a place
for him. This monastery was built at a place called
Hnget Pyit Taung where the monk could reside in
peace and harmony. The monastery was a complex of a
wooden building and a brick structure. The monastery
had height of 21 feet, length of 85 feet, width of
56 feet. The wall forming the compound was 119 feet
East-West and 117 feet North-South.
In front of the brick structure was a Dhamma Sala
or a Preaching Hall. This preaching hall was built
out of teak, with 24 main teak columns, posted on a
brick platform, and embellished with ornate wood
carvings. It has a two-tired roof and on both sides
of the main hall, were shed-roofed annexes. In this
Dhamma Sala, Shin Arahan preached the Teachings of
Buddha to the audience. On the immediate back of the
Dhamma Sala was the brick monastery or the Vihara,
were Shin Arahan resided and meditated. There were
two entrances connecting the Dhamma Sala and the
Vihara. The hipped-roof of the Vihara was the
typical style of the Bagan time.
Due to the weather, earthquake and time, the
whole complex had fallen into ruins and had been in
that state for several years. The complex was later
reconstructed as the original model and maintained.
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