BURMA, DATED 1896

The inscription roughly translates as follows: "The image was completed on Friday, the 7th waning day of Nadaw [Nov-Dec], in the hemanta utu [cold season], at the first strike of the hour, during the time of the ascending sun, in the year, 1896. A group of laymen, followers of Luntaung abbot commissioned this Buddha statue having symmetrical features, and paid 92 kyats and 5 mus for the work. The total weight of brass is 55 viss. Both Sangha and laymen aim for Nibbana. The craftsman, laymen and devotees strive for a better life in samsara, between the interval of Nibbana and the mundane world...A virtuous man, if reborn as human being, an esteemed deva, if reborn in the deva world. May they be reborn into the noble lineage of padesaraja, ekaraja, chakravartin, a leading person, complete with the four fine natures. May they reborn as Buddha, Pacceka Buddha, savaka, eventually free from the four nether worlds, never to return and cease from the continuation of rupa, nama, khanda, but reach Nibbana. May both devas and man express sadhu, sadhu, sadhu!

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Donald Stadtner and Tin Tin Aye in translating the inscription.