Nay Pyi Taw, April 28
A ceremony to hoist the golden umbrella, pennant-shaped vane and diamond orb atop Pyilone Chantha Hsutaungpyae Maha Datu Pagoda in the precinct of Dattaw Monastery in Anisakhan of Pyin Oo Lwin in conjunction with the consecration ceremony this morning, attended by State Ovadacariya Presiding Nayaka of Maha Wizitayon Monastery in Mandalay Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Vicarindabhivamsa and members of the Sangha, Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and wives, Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Swa Lin, senior military officers from Pyin Oo Lwin Station, well-wishers, guests and local ethnic people.
The Senior General and wife offered alms in the emerald alms-bowl, fruits, fl owers, water and oil lights to the Buddha Image in the pagoda. The Senior General and those present took the Nine Precepts from Bhavanathana Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of new Taungsalin Monastery in Pyigyi Myetshin Laykaung Ward of Chanayethazan Township in Mandalay Agga Maha Pandita Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Bhaddanta Tikkha and listened to the Metta Sutta recited by members of the Sangha.
Laymen kept Paritta flowers, water, thread and sand on the platform of the pagoda. The Senior General and wife offered Yadana diamond orb, Buddha image and offertories to the Presiding Nayaka of Maha Wizitayon Monastery of Mandalay. The Commander-in-Chief (Air) and wife also donated the diamond orb on the small circular tray and offertories, Adjutant- General Lt-Gen Hsan Oo, the Yadana pennant-shaped vane and donations, Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Nyo Saw and wife, a branch of fl ower made of diamonds and offertories, Lt-Gen Soe Htut of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and wife, the screw-pine shaped object and donations, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Moe Aung, Buddha Image, Brahminy duck statue and offertories, the commander of Central Command, the eighth and ninth tiers of the umbrella and alms and well-wishers, sacred relics of the Lord Buddha and offertories to members of the Sangha.
Member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha Presiding Nayaka of Dhammathameikdhi Monastery from Masoeyein Taikthit Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Vasetthabhivamsa delivered a sermon, and the congregation shared merits gained. The Sayadaw presented sacred relics of the Lord Buddha as Dhamma gifts to the Senior General and wife.
Members of the Sangha led by the Presiding Nayaka of new Taungsalin Monastery conveyed sacred relics of the Lord Buddha, the Senior General and wife, the Yadana diamond orb and senior military offi cers and well-wishers, pennant-shaped vane and tiers of the umbrella round the pagoda clockwise.
The sacred relics of the Lord Buddha and Buddha images were kept into the Gandakuti Chamber of the pagoda. The Senior General and party conveyed Yadana diamond orb and pennantshaped vane atop the pagoda by the decorated fl oat and performed the rituals of golden and silver showers in commemoration of the successful completion of the ceremony. Members of the Sangha consecreted the pagoda. After the ceremony, the Senior General and wife, and the congregation offered meals to members of the Sangha and nuns.
The Hsutaungpyae Maha Datu Pagoda was built in the precinct of Dattaw Monastery in Anisakhan of Pyin Oo Lwin in 2015 with contributions of families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and well-wishers. The pagoda is 108 feet high together with 24 feet high encircled pagodas. The sacred relics of the Lord Buddha are kept on the throne, and the pagoda was built together with the Gandakuti Chamber, four magnificent Buddha images, four large archways leading to the tunnel, 16 small archways and four stairways leading to the platform of the pagoda decorated with Myanmar architectural works. The sacred relics of Lord Buddha are kept in the relic chamber of the pagoda.
