So I read about Bagan today and I think this is now what I am most looking forward to. The sheer expanse of 2000 monuments/temples made of brick in within 16 square miles radius looks breathtaking. All built by freemen not slaves (interesting) and paid for by nobles with aspirations of being reborn in the celestial realms in the presence of Metteyva the Buddha. This is written on one of the buildings describing the purpose of the structure.
“By merit of this act I would behold
Metteyya, captain of the world, endued
With two and thirty emblems, where he walks
Enhaloed on a rainbow pathway fair
Like Meru King of mountains, and sets free
Samsara’s captives by his holy words.
There might I hear good Law, and bending low
Offer the four things needful to the Lord
And all his monks, till clad in virtues eight
Informed by such a Teacher, I become
A Buddha in the eyes of spirits and men…”
By King Alaungsithu (1113-1163)
Mengyao Wang says
Are these the temples made with gold?
Rebekah Thomas says
No these are made of brick. I think they look like gold in the sun.