Nay Pyi Taw October 23
The Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremony and consecration ceremony of the Thabyenyinaung Aung Zeya Muni Pagoda near Ngokkhalay Village in Nawnghkio Township, Shan State (North) took place this morning, attended by State Ovadacariya Nawnghkio Bantbway Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Sadhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Ottara 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, Lt-Gen Than Tun Oo and senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Aung Zaw Aye, Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Swa Lin, department officials, invited guests and local ethnic people.
First, the Senior General offered Myathabeik Soon, flowers, water and lights to the Buddha image in the Dhammayon Hall. The Senior General and the congregation received the Five Precepts and heard Parittas and a sermon from member of State Working Committee of the Sangha Lashio A.T Tat-U Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Ottama.
Next, Parittas flowers, water, thread and sand were spread around the pagoda. Then, the Senior General and wife offered the Yadana Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw and alms to the Bantbway Monastery Sayadaw, and presented Ks-5 million donated by families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) for the renovation of the Thabyenyinaung Aung Zeya Muni Pagoda to Ngokkhalay Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sandima. The Commander-in-Chief (Air) and wife, senior military officers and the commanders offered tiers of the Shwehtidaw and alms to members of the Sangha.
The Bantbway Monastery Sayadaw delivered a sermon and the congregation shared the merits gained. The Senior General and wife and party conveyed the Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw and the different tiers of the Shwehtidaw round the pagoda clock-wise for three times. At the auspicious time, the Senior General and party placed the different tiers of the Shwehtidaw on a decorated carriage and hoisted them on top of the pagoda. The ritual of gold and silver showers was performed to mark the success of the ceremony. The Senior General and wife sprinkled scented water on the plaque making the renovation of the pagoda and offered meal in Emerald Bowl, flowers and water to the Buddha Image in the chamber.
Then members of the Sangha consecrated the pagoda. After the ceremony, the congre-gation led by the Senior General and wife offered day meal to the members of the Sangha. The pagoda is at Ngokkhalay Village which is seven miles from Nawnghkio. King Alaung Mintaya after successfully warded off the Chinese invasion built the pagoda in memory of the fallen soldiers. Religious buildings of the pagoda were destroyed by a fire during World War II. Sayadaw U Pannava of Sitsegon Village in Nawnghkio Township and a monk, a novice and a nun lived near the pagoda in the 1960s. The pagoda was temporarily forgotten when Sayadaw U Pannava passed away.
The religious edifice was renovated by local people and the donations of the leaders of the Tatmadaw in 2012. The pagoda was renovated by the collective donations of families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and local people in October 2017. The umbrella hoisting ceremony was successfully held today.
