Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Nine wonders of Shwedagon Pagoda

For detailed guide to Shwedagon Pagoda, please see our article Shwedagon Pagoda Guide.

Traditionally, Burmese believe that there are nine wonders in Shwedagon Pagoda. Burmese Buddhists believe these wonders could grant your wishes come true.

1. Tawagu Wish-Fulfilling Buddha, which is located in a niche behind the Eastern Stairway, on the upper platform. Only men are allowed into this upper platform but there is a television in the Eastern Devotion Hall where the CCTV image of the Tawagu Buddha Image is shown. Burmese believe this Buddha image can grant your wish to come true.

2. The Weitzer Zawgyi Pagoda (Pagoda of Wizards and Necromancers) near the Saturday Corner, which is in the South-West corner of the main Shwedagon stupa. The small pagoda is decorated with figures of wizards and necromencers. It was built by Daw Oo of Sint Oo Dan Street, Yangon. The popular belief is that this stupa was built with the use of supernatural powers. Some people believe higher beings come and meditate here quite often.

3. Shin Saw Pu (Shin Saw Bu) Buddha Image near north-west corner was built by Queen Shin Saw Pu of Hansawaddy (Hanthawaddy) Dynasty, who is the one who renovated Shwedagon Pagoda to current shape and form. The Buddha image is located in the Shin Saw Pu Tazaung near King Singu’s Great Bell in the North West corner of Shwedagon. The Buddha image is believed to be able to grant one’s wish.

4. Shin Ma Hti Buddha Image which is situated on the north prayer hall of Naung Daw Gyi Pagoda. It is believed that the monk Shinmahti built this pagoda about one thousand years ago.

5. Shin Itzagawna Buddha Image on the south side of Naungdawgyi Pagoda. The Buddha image has two different sized eyes, due to the fact that the builder of this pagoda, Shin Itzagawna had one bull eye and one goat eye, replaced by magical powers to replace his lost eyes.

6. Sandawdwin Pagoda was where Buddha’s hair was washed. The pagoda was built over the well where Buddha’s hair was washed before being enshrined inside Shwedagon Stupa. (*)

7. Bo Bo Aung Shrine in the eastern side of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Bo Bo Aung is a legendry person who is believed to have obtained a supernatural power (wizard). Tradition believes that this shrine was created by Bo Bo Aung using his power.

8. Kakusandha Buddha image inside the Eastern Devotion Hall whose right hand is turned upward instead of downward. This Buddha image is also known with a number of names such as Latpetlet (Latpatlat) Buddha, Shwe Let Hlan Buddha, Yadana Labamuni Buddha and Shwe Let Pyan Buddha.

9. Pyadashin Buddha Image (Live Mercury Buddha). This brass Buddha is located south to the Eastern Devotion Hall of Shwedagon Pagoda, between the shrine and the Tuesday Planetary Post. It is believed that a ball of mercury (Pyadashin or Philosopher’s stone) was enshrined in the head of this Buddha image. The forehead is thus slightly protruding.

Other variation: (*) According to some authors, the Sandawdwin Pagoda in number 6 was not considered as one of the nine wonders of Shwedagon Pagoda. Instead, they consider the Temple of Dhammazedi and Dhammapala as one of the wonders of Shwedagon. The temple is located near the Eastern Main Shrine (Eastern Devotion Hall) and is back to back with the Bo Bo Aung Shrine. There are two Buddha images inside the temple. The entrance of the temple is guarded by a lion and a tiger, different from other temples where the entrance is either guarded by a pair of chinthe (Lions) or mythical demons. Traditionally believed to be the spot where the rays of light reflected from the diamond bud of Shwedagon Stupa can be seen. Some people claimed the ray is red in color but others insist that by changing the position, you can see the whole spectrum of sunlight. (I’ve never seen any light). The  donor is the King Dhammazedi of Hansawaddy.

If you want to know more about Shwedagon Pagoda in details, you can read in this great book about Shwedagon Pagoda by Elizabeth H. Moore. The book has more than hundred pages of beautiful and colorful photographs. This is followed by detailed descripton of each and every shrines and pagodas on Shwedagon. This is a must have guide for everybody who is visiting this great Pagoda of Myanmar. The book, Shwedagon: Golden Pagoda of Myanmar can be purchased fron Amazon.