NAY PYI TAW November 13
In the Union Territory of Nay Pyi Taw, Dakkhinathiri Township, at the Maravijaya Buddha Image, the annual Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony for the year 2024 was held this morning at Maravijaya Monastery within the Maravijaya Buddha Park.
The event was attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, who offered Kathina robes and other items for donation.
The ceremony was graced by the Presiding Nayaka of Paukmyaing Monastery in Lewe Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Zaneinda, and Sayadaws residing at Maravijaya Monastery. In attendance together with the Senior General and wife were Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, the SAC Secretary and wife, the SAC Joint Secretary and wife, council members and their spouses, union ministers and their spouses, the Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command and officials.
The ceremony began with the Senior General offering alms, fruits, and flowers, along with cool drinking water, to the sacred Buddha Image in the monastery.
Following this, the Senior General, along with other attendees, viewed the arrangement of Kathina robes and offerings prepared for donation.
The ceremony officially opened with a threefold recitation of “Namo Tassa” to pay respects.
The Senior General and the congregation took the Five Precepts from Presiding Nayaka Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Neminda of Maravijaya Monastery, and listened to the recitation of the Metta Sutta and other sacred teachings by the venerable monks.
Subsequently, the Senior General and his wife offered Kathina robes and offertories to the Paukmyaing Sayadaw and the Presiding Nayaka Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Neminda of Maravijaya Monastery.
Afterward, the Vice-Senior General and wife offered Kathina robes and donations to the Abhidaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Bhaddanta Pandita Sayadaw of the Eastern Inntha Monastery in Lewe Town.
The SAC Secretary and wife, the SAC Joint Secretary and wife and SAC members and union ministers also offered Kathina robes and alms to the venerable monks individually.
The Senior General and congregation then received a sermon from Presiding Nayaka Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vimalabuddhi of the Mingala Zeyon Pariyatti Sarthintaik at Pali University in Pyinmana.
Afterwards, they shared merits gained from the donations.
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of “Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu” three times, followed by rituals of gold and silver showers led by the Prime Minister and his wife to mark the success of the event. After the ceremony, the Senior General, his wife, and the congregation offered meals to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha presided over by the Paukmyaing Sayadaw.
