NAY PYI TAW August 1
The Myanmar Tatmadaw goodwill delegation led by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing who is on a goodwill visit to Gaya of the Republic of India paid homage to Maha Bawdi Pagoda this morning.
First, the Senior General and wife offered flowers,water, oil lights and Waso lotus robe to the Buddha image in the pagoda and paid homage.After paying homage to the image of Buddha-tobe kept on the upper terrace of the pagoda, they took Ovada from Abbot Bhaddanta Candamuni of Maha Bawdi Dhamma Yeiktha Monastery.
The Myanmar Tatmadaw goodwill delegation paid obeisance to the Maha Bodi banyan tree where the Lord Buddha reached enlightenment,in the precinct of the pagoda, and offered flowers and water.
They viewed round Buddha images at the Yatanaghara Sattathana, at the northwest corner of the Maha Bodi banyan tree, which was a significant place of the Lord Buddha who possessed rays after analyzing Pathana Desana for seven days and the Buddha image in Musaleinda Lake. They then visited Bodh Gaya Park. The Senior General and wife donated cash to the fund for the Maha Bawdi Pagoda.The Abbot of Maha Bawdi Dhamma Yeiktha Monastery returned Dhamma gifts.
The Myanmar Tatmadaw goodwill delegation proceeded to Maha Bawdi Dhamma Yeiktha Monastery in Gaya. First, the Senior General and party took the Five Precepts from Presiding Nayaka of Mahaaungmye Monastery Bhaddanta Silavamsa.Next, the Senior General and wife presented cash donation and offertories to Maha Bawdi Dhamma Yeiktha Monastery Abbot Bhaddanta Candamuni. Then, senior military officers offered Waso robes and alms to the members of the Sangha residing in Gaya and cash donations to student monks and nuns for their nine prerequisites in Gaya sharing merit gained.
The Senior General and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla and party offered day’s meal to the members of the Sangha.
In the afternoon, the Senior General and party went from Uruwaila forest camp in Bodh Gaya Town,Bihar State, to Rajgir about 90 kilometers from the town. They visited the gravel cart track which was used by merchants during the times of Buddha, the mango garden of physician Jivaka, the prison cell and treasury of King Bimbisara, the relic repository of King Ajatasattu and Veluwanna Monastery where Buddha resided and delivered sermons. They were conducted round there by the Abbot of Maha Bawdi Dhamma Yeiktha Monastery.
