U Kyaw Gaung went to Sagyin Hill, 50 kilometers north of Mandalay, which was famous for its superior quality marble used in the making of Buddha figures. Over there, he bought a large marble weighing more than ten tons at the price of Rs.1,200. The Buddha image was sculptured out of that block of marble in Mandalay, completing in 1918. This huge and magnificent marble of the Buddha image stands eleven feet high and weighs ten tons, was transported to Singapore in 1921 from Mandalay, central Burma.

Sayadaw U Pannya Vamsa’s earlier effort in 1971 to build a temple in Singapore with the help of the Dharma Cakra Society was, unfortunately, not realised. Likewise, in 1973, U Ba Thein, son of U Kyaw Gaung, approached Sayadaw at the Penang Burmese Buddhist Temple to assist him in the development of his temple in Kinta Road, but to no avail due to the lack of resources.

However, after overcoming many obstacles and through much effort from the venerable monks, the lay-Buddhists and well-wishers, Ven. U Pannya Vamsa managed to complete building the temple in 1990, named as the “Sasanaramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple”. It is the first and only Burmese Buddhist temple built outside of Burma (Myanmar) in the traditional style, appropriately adapted to local conditions. Its magnificent marble Buddha image is also the biggest enshrine outside of Burma.

The temple conducts year-round events and structured programmes for the public, such as Dhamma classes, religious festivals and Burmese traditional celebrations like New Year Celebration (Thingyan).

The temple’s operation is almost entirely funded by donations and contributions-in-kind from the public. It is managed by the Management Committee of about 15 part-time volunteers, headed by an elected President, whilst the Resident Monks act as Advisers to the committee, and provide the spiritual needs and religious services to devotees.

This unique and dignified temple not only becomes a religious landmark, but is also declared as a national heritage site of Singapore.