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| The ceremony to inaugurate the restored Aung Sular Mani Pagoda in Cambodia. (Pic: Aung Shin) |
March 12 - 18, 2012
By Aung Shin and May Sandy
Volume 31, No. 618
Myanmar Times
THE restoration of a Myanmar-style stupa in a remote corner of Cambodia has brought the two countries closer together, a senior Cambodian official said last week.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Ms Men Sam An said at a ceremony on March 3 to mark National Culture Day that the pagoda, in the western province of Pailin, would also help promote the practice of Buddhism in her country.
Ms Men Sam An was speaking one day ahead of a formal ceremony to inaugurate the restored Aung Sular Mani pagoda and hoist its hti. The ceremony was conducted in traditional Cambodian and Myanmar style and was attended by senior officials from Cambodia and Myanmar as well as local residents.
Minister for Religious Affairs Thura U Myint Maung told The Myanmar Times at the ceremony that he was pleased to see the Cambodian government’s keen support for the restoration project.
“We are Buddhist countries. We need to help each other so that our religion flourishes in our countries. I also hope to see friendlier relations between Cambodia and Myanmar in the future [as a result of this restoration project],” the minister said.
Aung Sular Mani was built in 19th century by immigrants from Myanmar, who are known in Cambodia as the “Kola”. The Kola established themselves in Pailin, an area once famous for its gemstones, and were later joined by a sizeable Shan community. However, both the Kola and Shan disappeared from Pailin during the Khmer Rouge era, and the exact origins of the Kola have been the subject of debate.
U Pyone Maung Maung, chairman of the South East Asia Net (SEANET) company, heard about the ruined stupa in 2010 and contributed the funds to restore it after receiving permission from the regional governor and Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
“I heard the story about the stupa and the Myanmar immigrants. A few months after getting permission from local authorities [to restore the pagoda], I also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts for the restoration,” he said.
“I brought all the technicians from Myanmar, for masonry, bronze casting and the stainless steel structure. We took great care so that the pagoda was restored in the Myanmar style. The restoration expense is estimated as US$1.5million for almost two years period.”
U Pyone Maung Maung, whose company is implementing an e-passport project with the Cambodian government, said he wanted to expand construction work at the pagoda to include a new platform on its southern side, rebuilding stairways on the western and eastern sides, a museum and retaining walls for Bodhi trees in the pagoda compound. Well-wishers in Myanmar can make a donation by contacting Innwa book store in Yangon.
Mr Ee Chhean, governor of Pailin – a Khmer Rouge stronghold well into the 1990s – paid tribute to U Pyone Maung Maung’s efforts to restore the site.
“We extend our gratitude to Mr Pyone Maung Maung and his people for their best efforts,” said Mr Ee Chhean, a former Khmer Rouge commander. “This is not only something we are proud of but also a place where local people can pay homage. It could also become a major tourist attraction for Pailin.”
2 comments:
the kola of pailin has integrated into khmer, some migrated overseas to france, america, canada, australia, etc... so, there are still some khmer people of kola/pumea origin in bordeaux region of france, in the state of colorado, etc... that i'm aware of. most of them were married to khmer people, and their children and grandchildren are all khmer now as none can speak kola anymore.
cambodia/myanmar friendship landmark in pailin province. i think cambodia and myanmar are very similar in religion and people, especially the customs and etiquette of both countries.
i like myanmar temple. i think myanmar should help cambodia to build more kola temple in pailin area of cambodia.
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