Pagodas in Yangon including the Shwedagon pagoda were significantly packed with pilgrams yesterday, which is the full moon day of Thadingyut and the Abhidhamma Day, with Yangon Region’s Chief Minister U Soe Thein and ministers participated in the rituals at the Shewdagon pagoda.
The events organized by the Board of Trustees of Shwedagon Pagoda at designated locations of the pagoda included alms donation, food charity by well-wishers, receiving precepts from the monks, recitation of prayers, the Abhidhamma Day ceremony and Buddha Pujaniya festivals. At night, worshipers under the supervision of the Board of Trustees illuminated 11,000 oil lamps at the designated places across the entire pagoda square. The similar events went to the Maha Wizaya Pagoda, where 11,000 oil lamps were lit.
Similarly, at the ceremony of the full moon day of Thadingyut and the Abhidhamma Day held by the Trustees of the Kaba Aye pagoda, the pilgrims received the nine precepts from venerable Sayadaws. At night, 6,500 oil lamps were lit by the worshipers in dedication to the Lord Buddha. The Botahtaung Kyaikdaeup Pagoda had similar events and worshippers illuminated 9,000 oil lamps.
Eminent pagodas were also alive with pilgrims offering alms, water, flowers, oil lamps to the Buddha images and stupas as well as receiving precepts from the monks, with some reciting Abhidhamma prayers at pagoda squares. — Ko Ko Zaw (MNA)/TH
