Nay Pyi Taw January 12
A ceremony to drive stakes for construction of Anantathukha Dhammacekkya Dhamma Beikman five-storey monastery contributed by well-wishers took place in con-junction with the digging of pits in the precinct of Dhammacekkya Patipat Yeiktha Monastery on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road in Yankin Township of Yangon Region this morning, attended by members of the Sangha led by Shwethuwun Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Saddhiya. Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing drove stakes at the ceremony.
Also present at the ceremony together with the Senior General were Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), the commander of Yangon Command, senior military officers of Yangon Command Headquarters, commandants of regiments and units, retired senior military officers, township level departmental officials, members of religious associations and well-wishers. The Senior General and congregation opened the stake driving ceremony with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa and took the Five Precepts from Shwethuwun Sayadaw. Members of the Sangha recited Parittas.
The Senior General offered alms to Shwethuwun Sayadaw. Then, the Senior General presented Ks-50 million donated by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) for the monastery and cash donated by his family to Upatthambha of Dhammacekkya Patipat Yeiktha MahaThiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Sein Hla Win, who accepted the donations and returned certificate of honour to the Senior General. Shwethuwun Sayadaw presented books of treatises as Dhamma gifts to the Senior General.
Admiral Tin Aung San, General Maung Maung Kyaw, senior military officers and well-wishers offered alms to members of the Sangha. The Abbot of Dhammacekkya Yeiktha Monastery presented Dhamma gifts to them. The Senior General and those present took a sermon delivered by Presiding Nayaka of Kanthonhsint Pariyatti Monastery form Mingaladon Township Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Gunikabhivamsa and shared merits gained. Members of the Sangha led by Shwethuwun Sayadaw and guests went to the land plot where the stake driving ceremony would be held. At the auspicious time, the Senior General and leaders took designated positions and drove the stakes nine times each and sprinkled scented water on them.
Afterwards, members of the San-gha recited Jayamangala victorious Gatha as Jayanto Bodhiyamule. At the auspicious time, they dug the pits at the designated places. The ceremony came to an end with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu.
After the ceremony, the Senior General performed the rituals of golden and silver showers in commemoration of successful completion of the ceremony and offered day meals to members of the Sangha led by Shwethuwun Sayadaw.
