| Type of monument |
: Type II Temple |
| Location |
: Minnanthu |
| Region |
: Nyaung U & Wetkyi-In |
| Built by |
: Minister Anandathura |
| Date |
: A.D 1223 |
| Monument Number |
: 447 |
The Leimyethna temple, the "Temple of the
Four Faces", is a beautiful example of a single-storeyed temple
built in the Late Style.
Resting on a platform, the temple is square
in plan, with porches projecting on all four sides, and with the
main entrance in the east. The superstructure consists of
receding terraces, with crenellated parapets and small stupas at
the corners, surmounted by a curvilinear spire which is crowned
by a stupa.
BUDDHA IMAGES INSIDE THE TEMPLE
The Late Style makes for a bright interior,
where there are remmants of murals portraying the 28 Buddhas of
the Past, scenes from the Jatakas, and the Final Life of Gotama
Buddha. Unfortunately, many of the murals have been lost in
whitewash.
The donor of the Leimyethna was Anandathura,
a minister at the court of King Htilominlo (1211-1234?), who,
with his wife, built the temple in 1223 and left behind an
inscription saying:
"Upon a fine platform we built a temple. To
enshrine in that temple we encased the holy relics in a
sandalwood casket, placed it in a crystal casket, then a red
sandalwood casket, then a gold casket, then a silver casket and
lastly into a miniature stone pagoda, the spire of which was
made of gold and the golden umbrella of which was hung with
pearls and coral. In the chamber of the temple we made four
images of the Lord placed back to back and facing the cardinal
points, and made them shine wondrously with gems. Many more
images were placed around the walls. On the walls were
beautifully painted scenes from the 500 Jatakas..."
And for this act of merit Anandathura made
the prayer:
"I too desire the boon of becoming an
Omniscient Buddha, knowing thoroughly and seeing widely."
.
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