Nay Pyi Taw May 11
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, accompanied by Presiding Patron of Thila Dhamma Kontha Tawya Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Kovida Wasipeik Sayadaw, the SAC Joint Secretary and wife, SAC members and their wives, union ministers and their wives, the Shan State Chief Minister and wife, the commander of Triangle Region Command and officials, this morning, paid homage to Abhaya Razamuni Buddha Image and Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda in the precinct of Buddha Park in Kengtung, Shan State (East).
First, the Senior General and wife paid homage to Abhaya Razamuni Buddha Image and offered flowers, water and joss sticks. The Senior General and wife went round the pagoda clockwise and viewed round the Buddhological statues carved in marble stones in the cave of the pagoda.
The Prime Minister, wife and party enjoyed scenic beauties of Kengtung region from the view point of the Buddha Park, viewed functioning of Thila Dhamma Free Clinic and construction of Thila Dhamma Hospital and gave necessary guidance over the reports of officials.
At Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda in the precinct of Buddha Park, the Senior General, wife and party paid homage to the Buddha image and donated flowers, water and joss sticks.
Then, the Prime Minister and wife donated cash to the fund for overall renovation of Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda, and Chairman of the pagoda board of trustees U Khin Maung Kyi accepted cash donations.
The Senior General and party paid obeisance to the Buddha image on the upper terrace of Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda and then went round the pagoda clockwise.
Afterwards, the Prime Minister and party toured four Samvejaniya holy venues of the Lord Buddha.
The Senior General, wife and party arrived at the construction site of Lawka Tharaphu Pagoda to be built in the precinct of Buddha Park. The Senior General viewed the approved site for construction of the pagoda, production of gravels from the quarry, and making of the scale model of Lawka Tharaphu Pagoda. The Senior General supplicated necessary measures over the advice of Wasipeik Sayadaw and gave necessary guidance over the report on progress of construction tasks by officials.
Abhaya Razamuni Buddha Image was built in the precinct of Buddha Park near Pankwe Village, 15 miles southeast from Kengtung, with the aim of forging peace and stability in Shan State (East), strengthening of Theravada Buddhism, and contributing to regional development through visits of local and foreign travellers. Led by Wasipeik Sayadaw, Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda was built with contributions of well-wishers and residents headed by the Senior General for local and foreign travellers and pilgrims to pay homage a replica of Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda from Bodh Gaya of India in the region.
Currently, efforts are being made for propagation of the Sasana in Shan State (East) and Kengtung region.
