Ceremonies to enshrine religious objects at the upper reliquary and hoist a golden umbrella atop Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda took place in conjunction with the ceremony of consecration in the precinct of Buddha Park in Kengtung of Shan State (East) yesterday morning.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla offered a diamond orb and religious objects dedicated to the Lord Buddha to venerable Sayadaws. The SAC Joint Secretary, council members and Union ministers donated alms to members of the Sangha.
The Senior General offered Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title for 2023 to Wasipeik Sayadaw Presiding Patron of Thiladhamma Kontha Tawya of Kengtung.
The Senior General presented cash awards to architects who built the pagoda.
The Senior General and wife, and members conveyed the diamond orb, religious objects and tiers of the umbrella by the decorated float to the temporary venue in front of the pavilion.
The Senior General enshrined the religious objects into the upper reliquary and sprinkled scented water on it.
At the auspicious time, wife of the Senior General and party together with local ethnic people conveyed the diamond orb and tiers of the umbrella atop the pagoda by a decorated float. The Senior General and party fixed the diamond orb and tiers of the umbrella atop the pagoda and sprayed them with the scented water.
The Senior General offered a golden robe, alms, fruits, flowers and water to Maha Bawdi Buddha image dedicated to the Lord Buddha in the tunnel of the pagoda.
Members of the Sangha consecrated the Pagoda whereas the Senior General presented cash donations for the pagoda to an official.
State Ovadacariya 17th Shwegyin Sangharaja Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara and members of the Sangha sprinkled scented water on stone plaques and beat the golden bell nine times.
After the ceremony, the Senior General, wife and party offered the day meal to members of the Sangha and served the guests lunch.
The Senior General and party paid homage to Animitha Pagoda and Abhaya Raza Muni Buddha Image in the Buddha Park.
Abhaya Raza Muni Buddha Image was built in the precinct of Buddha Park near Pankwe Village, 15 miles southeast of Kengtung. It aims to ensure peace and prosperity in Shan State (East), strengthen Theravada Buddhism and contribute to the development of the Shan State (East) through the visits of local and foreign travellers. Under the patronage of Wasioeik Sayadaw, well-wishers and local ethnic people led by leading donor Senior General Min Aung Hlaing contributed to building the Buddha Image with the aim of enabling pilgrims to pay homage to the Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda, which is a replica of the same pagoda in India, in the region. Today’s ceremony highlighted hoisting the diamond orb and holding a consecration of the pagoda successfully. — MNA/TTA
