A ceremony to pour water on the Bo tree in the precinct of Maravijaya Buddha Image in Nay Pyi Taw in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area took place at the venue on the full moon of Kason, 1386 Myanmar Era, which is one of the 12 seasonal festivals of Myanmar, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla who poured water on the Bo tree at the ceremony yesterday afternoon.
Also present at the ceremony were Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, the Council Secretary and wife, the Joint Secretary and wife, council members and their wives, union-level dignitaries, union ministers and their wives, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, officials and religious association members.
The Senior General and his wife offered flowers, water and oil lights to the Maravijaya Buddha Image.
The Senior General and wife, the Vice-Senior General and wife, the Secretary and wife, the Joint Secretary and wife, council members and their wives, and union-level dignitaries and their wives sprayed scented water on the Bo tree and poured water on it. Then, they offered water to Buddha images at the Bo tree and went round the plant clockwise.
The Senior General and his wife cordially greeted the people and viewed round the decorated floats on Buddha Day.
The Senior General and his wife, the Vice-Senior General and his wife, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Zwe Win Myint and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army, Navy and Air) and their wives, officers, other ranks and families poured water on Bo trees at Lawka Chantha Sutaungpyae Association’s Pagoda in Zeyathiri Township.
On the full moon day of Kason, Dipankara Buddha gave a preordainment to Buddha-to-be Sumida hermit: “He will be Buddha in Bhadda Kappa”, Buddha-to-be prince Siddhartha was born, the Buddha-to-be attained Enlightenment, and the Buddha attained Parinibbana. So, it was recorded as dates of preordainment, birth, attainment of Enlightenment, and attainment of Parinibbana. Hence, it is a sacred day for Buddhists. Significantly, these holy days fall on the full moon day of Kason. So, Kason’s full moon is marked as Buddha Day. The ceremony of water-pouring on the Bo tree is a prominent religious day designated as a part of Myanmar’s heritage. Hence, one day ahead of the ceremony, the banyan trees are sprayed with scented water, and the thrones are prepared magnificently for doing meritorious deeds. — MNA/TTA
