NAY PYI TAW April 11
A ceremony to hoist bejewelled diamond orb, pennant-shaped vane and umbrella atop Shwephonepwint Pagoda took place in conjunction with the consecration ceremony in Taunggyi, Shan State (South), this morning, attended by members of the Sangha led by State Ovadacariya Presiding Patron of Pahtama Mongthauk Buddhism Learning Centre of Nyaungshwe Township Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Sumangala Bhivamsa.
Also present at the ceremony were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, and family, Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and his wife, council members, Union ministers, the Chief Minister of Shan State and his wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Eastern Command, guests, officers, other ranks, families, religious associations and residents.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing paid homage to the Buddha image in Dhammayon of the pagoda and offered alms into the emerald almsbowl, fruits and flowers and water.
The ceremony was opened with threetime recitation of Namo Tassa. The Senior General and his wife together with congregation took the Nine Precepts from the Sayadaw. Laypersons offered flowers, water, thread and sand to members of the Sangha and listened to Paritta recited by members of the Sangha.
Those laypersons took flowers, water, thread and sand dubbed by Parittas and scattered them in the precinct of the pagoda.
The Senior General, his wife and families offered the bejewelled diamond orb and alms to the Sayadaw.
The Joint Secretary and his wife, council members, the patron and chairman of the pagoda board of trustees, Union ministers and the Chief Minister of Shan State offered pennant-shaped vane, jewellery ornaments, and religious objects as well as offertories to members of the Sangha.
The Senior General and his wife, and families, and congregation listened to a sermon delivered by Chairman of Shan State Sangha Nayaka Committee of Taunggyi Presiding Patron of Thein-taung Buddhism Learning Centre Aggamaha Pandita Aggamaha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Tejavamta and shared merits gained.
The Senior General and his wife and families together with his entourage conveyed the bejewelled diamond orb, pennant-shaped vane, and tiers of the umbrella by a palanquin round the pagoda cloclwise and led to the pavilion of the decorated float. At the auspicious time, the Senior General and his wife, and party, together with attendees and ethnic people hoisted the bejewelled diamond orb, pennant-shaped vane and the umbrella atop the pagoda. The Senior General and party fixed them atop the pagoda and sprinkled scented water on these objects. They performed the rituals of golden and silver showers in commemoration of the successful hoisting of the religious objects atop the pagoda.
A gold plate weighing six ticals donated by the Senior General and wife and family was fixed at the plantain bud of the pagoda and sprinkled scented water.
After paying homage to the pagoda and Buddha images, the Senior General, his wife and entourage offered alms in the emerald almsbowl, flowers, water and oil lights.
Members of the Sangha consecrated the pagoda and the ceremony ended with threetime recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu.
After the ceremony, the Senior General, his wife and congregation offered day meals to members of the Sangha.
