Maha Zeyabon golden umbrella, Waziyaketu diamond orb hoisted atop Sakkyapadaung Pagoda in conjunction with consecration in Thetthapadaung Village in Pwintbyu Township, Magway Region

A ceremony to hoist Maha Zeyabon golden umbrella and Waziyaketu diamond orb atop Sakkyapadaung Pagoda in conjunction with the consecration ceremony took place in the precinct of YwaU Monastery in Thetthapadaung Village of Lekaing Village-tract in Pwintbyu Township in Magway Region yesterday morning, graced by State Ovadacariya Salin Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Ketu and members of the Sangha.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla and party took the Nine Precepts from Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Presiding Nayaka of Salin’s Maha Withutayama Seinpan Monastery Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Bhaddanta Kumara.
The Senior General, wife and family members offered Yadana diamond orb, pennant shaped vane, golden umbrella and offerings to Salin Sayadaw. Members of the Council, the joint secretary and Union ministers donated alms to members of the Sangha.
They all listened to a sermon delivered by Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Maha Withutayama Monastery from Salin and shared merits gained.
The Senior General, the wife, family members and party conveyed the Yadana diamond orb and pennant shaped vane around the pagoda clockwise and conveyed them atop the pagoda at the auspicious time by a decorated float.
Members of the Sangha consecrated the pagoda. The Senior General and wife offered alms in the emerald alms-bowl, flowers, water and fruits to the Buddha Image in the pagoda. They then sprinkled scented water on the stone inscription plaque bearing the past lives of the Buddha-to-be and the archive stone inscription and beat the bell nine times. In the precinct of the pagoda, they planted a Maha Bawdi banyan tree.
The Senior General, wife and party donated alms to members of the Sangha and served the guests with a lunch.
Sakkyapadaung Pagoda was built by U Soe Min and his family from Mayoekon Village in Pwintbyu Township from 22 February to 17 April 2004. In the past, the nine-elbow pagoda was located in the centre of Kokkutayon (Okpo Pagoda), Gawthinayon (Ywakhaing Pagoda), Parwaryon (Shwepanmyaing Pagoda) and Gandayon (Kyaungtawya Pagoda) flanked by Ywathagyi, Hlegyi, Kanthagyi and Montawgyi villages. In this regard, Abbot of Neikbantaung Monastery from Lekaing Village-tract Sayadaw Bhaddanta Visutta said a random utterance, saying that “it shall be hustling and bustling-the country shall be peaceful and prosperous.” With the contributions of the Senior General, wife and family members, and well-wishers, the nine-elbow pagoda was enveloped by the 45-foot Sakkyapadaung Pagoda. Yesterday, the Maha Zeyabon golden umbrella and Waziyaketu diamond orb were hoisted atop the pagoda in conjunction with the consecration ceremony successfully.
The Senior General then met village elders, officials from village maternal and child welfare association and local people in Lekaing Village and asked about economic and development measures of the region.
Village elders reported on requirements for the sale of agricultural machinery in instalment because of shortages of farming workers, a fire truck for the village and regional development tasks. The Senior General instructed officials to sell the agricultural machinery in instalment, provide a fire truck to the village before summer, renovate Shwepyiaye pagoda and carry out regional development tasks.
The Senior General presented K5 million to the village development fund and cordially greeted village elders, officials from village MCWA and locals.
The Senior General paid homage to Sandaku Natha Kyaungtawya Pagoda in Pwintbyu Township and donated cash to the multiple development fund of the pagoda. The Senior General, wife and party paid homage to Secretary-General of the pagoda board of trustees Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Dhaja Bhaddanta Dhammacara and asked after his health condition. They also donated alms to the Sayadaw. The Senior General instructed officials to systematically maintain the pagoda for long term existence. —MNA