Buddha statue ‘Lubhamuni’ consecrated in Namsai district
Itanagar: The world’s largest Buddha statue ‘Lubhamuni’ made of bamboo was consecrated at Noi-Cheynam, at Tengapani in Namsai district during the three day festival which concluded on Friday.
The Bamboo Buddha is installed inside the premises of the Vipassana Meditation Centre opposite to the Golden Pagoda, is religiously named as ‘Fra Sutongpey Lubhamuni’.
It was built by nine master craftsmen from Shan State of Myanmar in a span of seven months and twenty days. It is the hundred and eleventh Bamboo Buddha in the world now and also the highest and biggest currently having a height of 42.7 feets.
The statue was consecrated by Chongkham MLA Chow Tewa Mein and his family.
The other accompanying dedications were a water fountain in front of the Lubhamuni Buddha, images of Lord Buddha and Kathina Civara Dana.
Devotees from many parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam thronged the festival which turned out to be a major event in the area in this season of festivals.
Two renowned monks from Myanmar, Ven Sao Sokham and Ven Kovida also arrived during the festival.
Devotees thronged to get their blessings. The two monks are known for their mastery in the art of Vipassana mediation.
On November 15, the images of the Buddha were taken on a procession along with Kalpatrus (money trees) and in the evening there was a cultural programme which also included the display of Tai Khamti ‘Pung’(traditional dance drama).
At least four groups of women devotees weaved monk robes throughout the intervening night as a mark of Kathina Civara Dana.
Speaking on the occasion, Mein termed the festival a great success and expressed his joy at the huge number of devotees who made it to the festivities. He also said that the presence of the two renowned monks was remarkable as lay devotees of the area could afford to get their blessings which otherwise they would have to travel to Myanmar.
While Ven Sao Sokham had been here on previous occasions including during the time of dedicating the meditation centre, it is the first visit for Ven Kovida, a press release informed here Saturday. EOM
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