Buddhism does good deeds on the fullmoon day of Kason. The day is an important day for Myanmar Buddhists. They keep Sabbath and pour water on banyan trees at the pagodas, including Shwedagon Pagoda, according to COVID-19 health rules.
The ceremony to seek words of advice from Ovada Cariya Sayadaws of Shwedagon Pagoda and the 38th Kason water-pouring festival were conducted at the designated places of Shwedagon Pagoda starting 5 am yesterday.
Firstly, the pagoda board of trustees and staff offered ‘alms’ (day meals), flowers, water, oil lights and fruits to the pagoda and the first meal to the Sayadaws.
The officials and service groups took Nine Precepts from State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Tipitakadhara Pali Paragu Shwepyitha Monastery Sayadaw Baddanta Nagita.
Then, pagoda board of trustees’ member U Tin Win donated the offertories to the Sayadaws.
Nyaung Done Pali Takatho Monastery Sayadaw Baddanta Pavara Bhivamsa delivered sermons on behalf of pagoda Ovada Cariya Sayadaws.
Then, the officials shared merits after the sermons of Presiding Sayadaw of Maha Withuddayone Monastery Bhaddanta Sirinda Bhivamsa.
Next, the 38th Kason water-pouring festival was organized at the Banyan tree in the southern archway of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Ovada Cariya Sayadaws delivered sermons. And Yangon Region Administration Council Chairman U Hla Soe and party, members of the pagoda board of trustees, service groups and pilgrims poured water on the Banyan tree.
Similarly, the opening ceremony for the Kason water-pouring festival was held at Botahtaung pagoda.
Yangon Region Administration Council Chairman U Hla Soe, pagoda board of trustees and service groups firstly took Five Precepts from Vice Chair of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Dvipitakadhara Bhaddanta Agga Dhamma.
The Sayadaws recited Parittas, and the officials donated offertories to the Sayadaws.
Then, the officials poured water on Bodhi trees.
Moreover, the pagoda board of trustees, service groups and pilgrims poured water on Bodhi trees at Kaba Aye, Kyaik Wine and Kyauk Taw Gyi pagodas.
Yangon Northern District General Administration Department officials and staff freed 750,000 fish into Balar creek beside Yangon-Bago road in Htaukkyant Ywama ward of Mingaladon Township on the fullmoon day of Kason. —Ko Ko Zaw, Kyaw Soe Win
