Nay Pyi Taw May 25
The 13th Maha Mingalar ceremony of pouring water at banyan trees in the month of Kason involved in the 12 seasonal festivals of Buddhist Myanmar, which falls on the fullmoon day of Kason, 1383 ME, also called the Buddha’s Day, took place at Maha Bodhi banyan trees in the northward in the precinct of Upattasanti Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon. Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla watered Maha Bodhibanyan trees.
Also present at the ceremony were Vice Chairman of the Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Council members and their wives, the Council secretary and wife, the Council joint secretary and wife, the Chief Justice of the Union, the Chairman of the Constitutional Tribunal of the Union, the Chairman of Union Election Commission, the Union ministers and their wives, the Attorney-General of the Union, the Auditor-General of the Union and wife, the Chairman of Union Civil Service Board, the Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council, the Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar and wife, the Chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission and wife, the Chairman of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, the Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command and wife, officials and members of religious associations.
First, the Senior General and wife, Council members and wives and congregation took the positions to pour water at Maha Bodhi banyan trees in the precinct of the pagoda. The master of ceremonies recited Maha Bodhi Rukkhasijjana Gatha. They poured water at respective Maha Bodhi banyan trees and sprinkled scented water on these trees. Then, they went round the trees clockwise.
Moreover, families of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army, Navy and Air) under the patronage of the Chairman of the State Administration Council Commanderin- Chief of Defence Services and wife watered Bodhi banyan trees at Lawkachantha Hsutaungpyae Athin Pagoda in Zeyathiri Township.
As all significant days when Lord Dipankara Buddha gave a word of preordainment of event to Sumeda hermit, saying that the hermit would be the Lord Buddha in Bhadda World, when Buddhatobe Prince Siddhattha was born, when Prince Siddhattha attained the Enlightenment and the Lord Buddha and Buddha attained the Parinibbana fall on the fullmoon day of Kason. Myanmar people recorded the day on which the Buddha-to-be was prophesied as a future Buddha, born, and attained enlightenment, the Buddha attained Parinibbana. So, Myanmar Buddhists identified the fullmoon day of Kason as Buddha’s Day because the day was coincided with the date of birth of 28 Lord Buddhas, the attainment day of the Enlightenment and the attainment day of the Parinibbana of not only Lord Gotama but also all remaining 27 Lord Buddhas.
The water pouring of banyan trees in the month of Kason is a religious festival as performance of doing meritorious deeds and pleasure for Buddhists. Moreover, it is a Myanmar’s intangible cultural heritage. Hence, the devotees sprinkle scented water on the banyan trees one day ahead of the fullmoon day of Kason and make preparations at Maha Bawdi Throne.
