Mingun Pagoda: Tile with the Third Buddhist Council

MYANMAR, Sagaing, Mingun

Green, brown, and yellow glazed tiles such as this can be found inlaid into the stepped foundation at Mingun Pagoda, which was left unfinished in 1819. They often depict scenes from the various Buddhist Councils. This particular tile shows a temple-like building with a three-tier roof in Burmese style. The ridge decorations are shaped like nagas, while Dharma wheels are located along the eaves. Underneath the lowest roof, four cross-legged monks with their hand on their heart are seated within niches. The inscription at the bottom reads, “The Third Council;” by Burmese reckoning, this would have been the one called by Asoka in 250 BCE.