Beginning

Aung Zabu Tawya Temple was constructed in Hmawbi Township, Yangon, Myanmar under the supervision of Most. Ven. Pandawontha, the highest Buddhist monk.
Mr. Katsuyuki Kumano, the chairperson of General Incorporated Foundation Japan Myanmar Cross-Link Association, donated 301 ancient Buddha statues including the oldest one in the world to Aung Zabu Tawya Temple in October 2012.
People of Myanmar call this temple “Japan Pagoda (Buddhist Tower of Japan)” with love.

The photobook was compiled as a representation of the friendship between Japan and Myanmar.
The association sincerely wishes for the further development of the two countries through mutual exchanges and supports.

General Incorporated Foundation Japan Myanmar Cross-Link Association
Chairperson: Mr. Katsuyuki Kumano

Aung Zabu Tawya Temple
Japan Pagoda

Miracle of Myanmar
301 Buddha Statues Saved by a Japanese Individual, Mr. Katsuyuki Kumano
Photobook

Chapter 1

Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, was once the capital of the country. Driving an hour and a half to north-east from the center of Yangon, Aung Zabu Tawya Temple stands there in Hmawbi Township.
The township where houses sparsely stand is inundated with 50 thousand people from inside and outside the country on the weekend. People come to pray 301 Buddha statues including the oldest one in the world.
These historic statues once faced to a crisis. They were about to be smuggled out from the country through underground economy, but one Japanese person saved and took them back to Myanmar.
Almost 90% of the population faiths Buddhism in Myanmar. People call this temple “Japan Pagoda (Buddhist Tower of Japan)” with love and respect.

Chapter 2

Mr. Katsuyuki Kumano, the chairperson of Japan Myanmar Cross-Link Association, was recommended by his friend and visited Myanmar for the first in his life in 2002. Many Japanese soldiers died here during World WarⅡ' and people of Myanmar and Japan have the same Mongolian spots.With the belief that blood is thicker than water, Mr. Kumano holds a wordless feeling what can be described as an intimacy to Myanmar.
In the same year when the association was established, Mr. Kumano visited Myanmar every month and gradually started to support children at schools.
Mr. Kumano experienced an otherworldly incident in 2005 : He encountered with a “Demon”.

Statue of Abayam Dorabauyam Dora Shaka
Meaning: Protects people from malice and hazard and gives people wealth and precious happiness.

Chapter 3

At the antient capital, Pagan, the local driver and Mr. Kumano got lost its way and reached to a dim cave by chance. Feeling a slight sign of something, Mr. Kumano turned his eyes to the dark and witnessed a “Demon” scowling at him.
Overwhelmed by fear, Mr. Kumano ran away, never looking back. He had a nightmare of the “Demon” even he got back to Japan.
“Investigating the temple later, it came out to be a decayed and venerable pagoda (Buddhist Tower). Come to think of it, the “Demon” was a Buddha statue. While having the same nightmare over and over, he realized the statue was not just fearful but trying to tell him something. He became to think like that.
Mr. Kumano considers this mysterious dream an oracle of restoration of the pagoda.
When he returned to Myanmar, he offered a restoration of the decayed pagoda.

Chapter 4

Statue of Birwu Naga Min Acuauto Naga Yawn Shaka
Meaning: Lead trade businesses to success and gain wealth

At that time in Myanmar, Buddha statues were about to be carried away to China and Thailand. Buddhist monks were suffering from absolute poverty due to the prohibition of monetary donation forced by the military, and the monks had no choice but let go of the statues to the black market.
In order to wipe out the monks who resisted against military domination, special army raided the temples throughout the country in 2007. Under those riots, 9 innocent people were shot dead including a Japanese journalist. This shocking news made headlines throughout the world.
“Government oppression became fierce on temples. As a result, the monks were straitened more than ever. If the statues were left to be sold on the black market, precious cultural heritages would never come back to the hands of Myanmar. From the feelings, I purchased one Buddha statue and kept it with me”.
Mr. Kumano rent a home in Yangon and hid the statue there. If the statue was found out by the military, it was not a surprise for him to be shot dead like the journalist.

Statue of Bawdobe Pinnin Shi Parin Shaka

Meaning: Protects people’s wealth, social position, authority, peace, and health.

Statue of Shin Pyu Taw Shaka

Meaning: Prevents nature disaster, war, and weapon from facing to people. Protects people from the threats symbolized by each cardinal direction.

Chapter 5

Armed soldiers stopped the truck Mr. Kumano was driving. They starred at Mr. Kumano and the bed of truck where mountains of vegetables were loaded. He was at a checkpoint of the army. Mr. Kumano broke out in a cold sweat. He was waiting with his heart pounding so fast in fear of the soldiers might find Buddha statues he hid beneath the vegetables.

--- After purchasing one Buddha statue, many rumors about other statues came into Mr. Kumano one after another. Any time he obtained one, he carried it into his house with disguised truck---

Waiting for a while, Mr. Kumano got a permission to pass. Looking over the side mirror, the checking point went away. After driving not so long, another checking point came. Mr. Kumano had to prepare for death once again.

Without realizing, the number of Buddha statues he collected over 2 years counted to 301.

Statue of Yataum Shaka
Meaning: Wishes will come true as people crave for.

In 2010, there was a general election for the first time in 20 years in Myanmar. In the next year, the military regime shifted to civil government. The day has finally arrived to give the Buddha statues back to Myanmar.

Mr. Kumano met with many Buddhist monks to donate the statues. However, he could not meet with someone who he felt like entrust the statues.

On this occasion, his friend introduced him Most. Ven. Pandawontha.

Sleeping Statue of Ryaum Tawm Shaka
Meaning: Happiness of married couples lasts long. Descendants, brothers, sisters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are protected by the divine power to live peacefully and happily forever.

Chapter 6

As soon as Mr. Kumano and Most. Ven. Pandawontha met, they convinced each other as real brothers in a past life. At once, Mr. Kumano decided to donate all 301 Buddha statues to him.
In October 2012, all the statues were carried into the large auditorium of Aung Zabu Tawya Temple. The assessment later on revealed that many of them worth national treasure including the one which is 2,600 years old.

Statue of Munimaha Muni Shaka
One of the oldest Buddha statues in the world that comes from 2,600 years ago.
Meaning: One of the truth figures of Gotama Siddhattha that protects people physically and mentally and also protects their wealth.

Chapter 7

The Buddha statues have been opened to the public since spring 2013. they appeared in the special national TV program in September 2015. Although the temple was at first opened at Wednesday through Friday, there were way more visitors than the temple can afford, so it decided to open almost every day. Now, the construction of 5-story museum is in the process due to complete by December 2018. A large Buddhist theme park is also under construction that co-establishes with an amusement park. “This can be done only by me. I felt a sense of mission and have been doing this all by myself. I have received many thanks from people in Myanmar. The statues are smiling happily. I also feel happier than ever”.
The Buddha statues were saved by one Japanese person who risked his life. All the statues are now enshrined in Aung Zabu Tawya Temple. People call this temple with sincere love ――― “Japan Pagoda”.

Statue of Abayaum Dorabauyam Dora Shaka
Meaning: Protects people from malice and hazard and gives them wealth and precious happiness.

Most. Ven. Pandawonth and Mr. Katsuyuki Kumano. As soon as they met for the first time, they convinced themselves as “real brothers separated in a past life”.