Famous pagodas, temples and stupas across the country were densely crowded on the full moon day of Kason (Buddha day) with people who pour water into Maha Bodhi (banyan) trees and do good deeds such as food donations and charity.
The 40th Kason Water Pouring Festival was organized at the designated places of Shwedagon Pagoda starting 5 am.
First, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Yangon Command Commander and other relevant officials offered early alms food, flower, water, candle and fruits to the pagoda.
They then donated alms food to Sayadaws at the pagoda. After that, they took positions at the Maha Bodhi (banyan) tree and listened to the sermons and nine precepts delivered by Ovadacariya Sayadaw Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Bhandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Siri Anda of Maha Visuddhayon Monastery and Ovadacariya Sayadaw Agga Maha Gandhavasaka Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Tipitakadhara Pali Paragu Bhaddanta Nagita and shared merits.
Then, the Sayadaws, the region’s chief minister and party poured water to the Bodhi tree.
The region chief minister and party then went to Sule and Botahtaung pagodas to pour water into the Bodhi trees together with the pilgrims and observed the charity food donation ceremonies.
Moreover, the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Sayadaws organized the consecration ceremony and water pouring festival at Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Pagoda yesterday.
Then, members of the pagoda board of trustees and devotees took nine precepts from the Vice-Chair of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Kesara Bhivamsa and donated offertories to the Sayadaws.
Members of the pagoda board of trustees and members of 23 religious groups poured water on the Bodhi tree.
Similarly, the respective pagoda board of trustees, service groups and pilgrims poured water on Maha Bodhi trees at Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Kyaikwyne Pagoda, Shwephonepwint Pagoda, Swetawmyat Pagoda, Maha Wizara Pagoda, Ngahtetgyi Pagoda, Chaukhtetkyee Pagoda and Koehtetkyee Pagoda. — Ko Ko Zaw/KTZH
