Maha Zeyabon golden umbrella, Waziyaketu diamond orb hoisted atop Sakkyapadaung Pagoda in conjunction with consecration in Thethapadaung Village in Pwintbyu Township, Magway Region
NAY PYI TAW February 10
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 Leaking Village-tract in Pwintbyu Township in Magway Region this morning, graced by State Ovadacariya Salin Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Ketu and members of the Sangha.
Also, present on the occasion were Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla and family members, Council members Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, U Moung Har and U Shwe Klein, Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and wife, Union ministers U Ko Ko, U Tin Htut Oo, U Hla Moe, U Khin Maung Yi, U Aung Than Oo and Dr Thet Khaing Win, Auditor-General of the Union Dr Kan Zaw and wife, Magway Region Chief Minister U Tint Lwin, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, Commander of Central
Command Maj-Gen Ko Ko Oo, officials, guests, well-wishers, officers, other ranks and families, religious associations, and local people.
First, 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. Laypersons offered Paritta flowers, water, thread and sand to members of the Sangha. Later, they all listened to Paritas recited by members of the Sangha.
Laypersons scattered Paritta flowers, water, thread and sand in the precinct of the pagoda to prevent the dangers.
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. After sprinkling scented water on them and fixing these objects atop the pagoda and performed rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the successful completion of the ceremony.
Members of the Sangha consecrated the pagoda and recited Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu three times, and the ceremony came to an end. The Senior General and wife offered alms in the emerald alms-bowl, flowers, water and fruits to the Buddha Image in the pagoda and then went around the pagoda clockwise. 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 for dispersing Metta. In the precinct of the pagoda, they planted a Maha Bawdi banyan tree.
After the ceremony, the Senior General, wife and party donated alms to members of the Sangha and served the guests with the lunch.
Sakkyapadaung Pagoda was built by U Soe Min and her family from Mayoekon Village in Pwintbyu Township from 22 February 2004 to 17 April. In the past, the nine-elbow pagoda was located in the centre of Kokkutayon (Okpo Pagoda), Gawthinayon (Ywakhaing Pagoda), Pawaryon (Shwepanmyaing Pagoda), Gandayon (Kyaungtawya Pagoda flanked by Yathagyi, Hlegyi, Kanthagyi and Montawgyi villages. In this regard, Abbot of Neikbantaung Monastery from Lekaing Village-tract Sayadaw BhaddantaVisutta 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, her wife and family members, and well-wishers for the propagation of Buddhism, the nine-elbow pagoda was enveloped by the 45-foot Sakkyapadaung Pagoda. Today, the Maha Zeyabon golden umbrella and Waziyaketu diamond orb were hoisted atop the pagoda in conjunction with the consecration ceremony successfully.
On arrival at Leaking Village, 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 shortage of farmworkers, 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 present presented Ks-5 million to the village development fund to village elders who returned the domestic products as gifts. The Senior General cordially greeted village elders, officials from village maternal and child welfare associations and locals.
The Senior General paid homage to Sandaku Natha Kyaungtawya Pagoda as Myanmar Bodh Gaya in Pwintbyu Township and donated cash to the multiple development fund of the pagoda to the pagoda board of trustees who returned Dhamma gifts.
The Senior General, wife and party paid homage to Secretary-General of the board Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Dhaja Bhaddanta Dhammacara and supplicated religious affairs and health conditions of the Sayadaw and donated alms to the Sayadaw. After going around the pagoda clockwise, the Senior General instructed officials to systematically maintain the pagoda for perpetual existence.