The Mahamuni Buddha Temple; also called the Mahamuni Pagoda; is a Buddhist temple and major pilgrimage site; located southwest of Mandalay; Burma (Myanmar). The Mahamuni Buddha image (literal meaning: The Great Sage) is deified in this temple; and originally came from Arakan. It is highly venerated in Burma and central to many people's lives; as it is seen as an expression of representing the Buddha's life.

Ancient tradition refers to only five likenesses of the Buddha; made during his lifetime; two were in India; two in paradise; and the fifth is the Mahamuni Buddha image in Myanmar. According to legend; the Buddha visited the Dhanyawadi city of Arakan in 554 BCE. King Sanda Thuriya requested that an image was cast of him. After casting the Great Image; the Buddha breathed upon it; and thereafter the image became the exact likeness of the Mahamuni. Pictures From Asia David Henley