YANGON witnessed a large gathering of devotees performing meritorious deeds at the sacred Shwedagon Pagoda and other renowned pagodas and temples on the Tazaungmone Full Moon Day (Samañaphala Day) yesterday.
The Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees organized the 1387 Myanmar Era Thadingyut Full Moon Day (Samañaphala Day) ceremony in the morning at designated venues on the pagoda platform. Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, the commander of Yangon Command, regional ministers, members of the board of trustees, officials, members of religious associations, contestants of the 37th Matho Robe-Weaving Contest, and residents attended the event. They carried golden Kathina robes and offerings, and circumambulated the pagoda from the Aung Myay platform before paying homage to the Buddha images.
Later, the Chief Minister, the Commander, and officials offered the golden Kathina robe to the sacred Buddha Image enshrined atop the pagoda, followed by offerings of golden Kathina robes to the Kassapa, Konagamana, Kakusandha, and Gautama Buddha images at the sacred shrines by the Trustees and religious associations.
Subsequently, Trustees, religious groups, and officials offered alms, flowers, water, fruits, oil lamps, and incense at the pagoda’s offering chamber, and presented alms to the Ovadacariya Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.The ceremony continued with the administering of the Five Precepts and water-pouring rituals at the historical Buddha Image compound. Lay devotees received the Five Precepts administered by the Chairman of the Yangon Region Sangha Nayaka Committee, Dr Bhaddanta Aggasami, and made donations to the Ovadacariya Sayadaws.
Afterwards, devotees listened to a sermon delivered by the presiding Sayadaw of Nyaungdon Pariyatti Monastery, Bhaddanta Narada, and shared merits by pouring water.
Similarly, the 41st Kathina Golden Robe Offering Ceremony was held at the Botahtaung Pagoda, where the Chief Minister, the Commander, regional ministers, Trustees, religious associations, and donors offered golden robes to the Buddha images within the pagoda compound.
The Chief Minister and party later visited the Sule Pagoda Kathina robe offering ceremony, received the Five Precepts, offered donations to the Ovadacariya Sayadaws, listened to a sermon, and shared merits by pouring water before offering golden Kathina robes to the Buddha images inside the pagoda precincts.
In the same manner, ceremonies were also held at other famous pagodas, including the Thiri Mingalar Kaba Aye Pagoda, the Maha Wizaya Pagoda, and the Shwe Bone Pwint Pagoda. Devotees offered food, flowers, water, and fruits to the Buddha images, while trustees and associations recited the Samañaphala Sutta and shared prayers of loving-kindness.
Across the country, Buddhists offered golden Kathina robes, held Samañaphala Day ceremonies, listened to Buddhist sermons, and organized communal Kathina ceremonies in wards and streets. Donors also provided meals to pilgrims, while pagodas, public parks, and homes were illuminated with colourful lights, oil lamps, and candles. Nibbana market fairs were held in various streets and wards. — Ko Ko Zaw (MNA)/ KZL
