Nay Pyi Taw December 3
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung, 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), Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Teza Kyaw and party, paid homage to Kaunghmulon Pagoda on the bank of Namkyo (Malikha) River in Kaunghmulon Village in Machanbaw Township in Putao District, Kachin State, this morning.
First, the Senior General and party were warmly welcomed by Putao District Commissioner U Thant Zin of General Administration Department and Chairman U Tang Seng and members of the pagoda board of trustees. Then, the Senior General and party paid homage and offered flowers, water and oil lights to Buddha image at the pagoda. Afterwards, the Senior General and party viewed round the pagoda clockwise in reverentially and offered advice on maintenance of the pagoda for the long-lasting existence, enabling pilgrims to pay homage to the pagoda in peace of mind and keeping cleanliness and splendour of the pagoda. The chairman of the pagoda board of trustees reported to the Senior General on measures taken for the construction of a prayer hall and the designation of the precinct of the pagoda.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General offered advice on the decoration of the prayer hall with Myanmar traditional handicraft and its durability. Then, the Senior General paid homage to Buddha images excavated from an ancient pagoda and religious objects enshrined in the agoda in Phatma Village-tract in Putao Township and heard reports on excavation of Buddha images and religious objects presented by the district commissioner.
Then, the Senior General signed the guests’ book of the pagoda and donated Ks-54 million for general maintenance of the pagoda and the construction of the prayer hall. The chairman and members of the pagoda board of trustees accepted the cash donation and presented a certificate of honour to the Senior General.
The ancient historical pagoda was built in 244 Buddhist Era during the reign of King Siridhammasoka by enshrining three sacred relics of the Buddha. Maintenance tasks of the pagoda have been carried out in successive eras by successive kings and the pagoda is so revered among Buddhists that they say “the Kaunghmulon is the most sacred pagoda in upper Myanmar, the Shwedagon is the most sacred pagoda in lower Myanmar and the Shwezigon is the most sacred pagoda in central Myanmar”. Kaunghmulon Pagoda is a very ancient pagoda, which is known in Tai Hkamti Shan language as the Shwe Sert Min Pagoda (Kaungmusaokankham), and as the pagoda is larger, higher and more sacred than any other pagodas in Hkamtilon area, it was known as Saokaunghmulon (sacred pagoda), according to records of maintenance tasks of the pagoda.
The Senior General and party then visited ancient building in Machanbaw named Gubar Guest House formerly known as Zanyawk Guest House and inspected maintenance tasks there. They were there conducted round by Putao District Commissioner U Thant Zin. The Senior General stressed the need for systematic maintenance and disaster and fire safety measures as it is a historic building.The Senior General donated Ks-5 million for the repair of the roofs and others. The district commissioner accepted the cash. After signing the visitors’ book, the Senior General looked round the Guest House.
The Senior General and party in a motorcade viewed round the local units and regiments in Machanbaw. The Senior General then cordially met with Tatmadaw family members and instructed the commander and officials to fulfill the needs for those units and regiments.
The Senior General and party proceeded to the multi-purpose agricultural and livestock camp in Putao Station. At the briefing hall, the commander reported on agricultural and livestock undertakings. The Senior General called for efforts to make the business successful. The Senior General also stressed the need for systematic raising of layers and efforts to achieve greater success, know about market demand and distribute to meet that demand. The Senior General then attended to the needs for water and electricity supplies in the camp. The Senior General and party later inspected the breeding of DYL pigs and agricultural and livestock activities and left necessary instructions.
