The Myanmar Era 1384 was over and the New Year 1385 came in, and people were making good deeds at famous pagodas including Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.
Paritta recitation ceremonies supervised by Buddhist monks were also held followed by making donations to the Shwedagon Pagoda yesterday morning.
Firstly, the board of trustees members donated dawn alms to members of the Sangha. Next, the Paritta listening and sharing merits ceremony was held and Maha Visuddhayon Taikthit Monastery Presiding Sayadaw Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Dhamma Bhandagarika Agga Maha Pandita (Yaw Sayadaw) Bhaddanta Sirinda Bhivamsa gave the Nine Precepts to the congregation.
Then, Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees member U Min Lwin addressed the inaugural words followed by donations to Sayadaws and sharing merits gained. Refreshments were also donated at the pagoda on Myanmar New Year’s Day.
Similarly, pilgrims flocked to Maha Wizara Pagoda yesterday morning and officials including Maha Wizara Pagoda Board of Trustees members released 50,000 fish.
The Paritta recitation and listening ceremonies also took place at Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Pagoda, Botahtaung Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon), Shwe Phone Pwint Pagoda, Ngahtetgyi and Chaukhtetkyee pagodas as donors were distributing refreshments.
Young people performed shampooing for the elderly in a traditional manner on the occasion of New Year’s Day.
Releasing animals, pets and fish, keeping the Sabbath, recitation of Buddha sermons and offering refreshments to the people are symbols of the Myanmar New Year. – Zaw Min Latt/MKKS
