THE 37th Matho Thingan (Robe) Offering Ceremony and Samañaphala Day will be held at designated locations around the Shwedagon Pagoda on the eve of the Tazaungmone full moon and on the full moon day itself, according to U Bo Thin, a member of the pagoda’s board of trustees.
“Devotional activities will begin with worship at the ancient Buddha statues by circumambulating the Pagoda at 6 pm on the evening before the Tazaungmone full moon day (3 November). The opening of the robe-weaving competition will be held at the southwest corner of the Shwedagon Pagoda, followed by the awards ceremony at 11 pm. The robes woven during the competition will then be crafted into the ‘golden lotus robes’. On the morning of 4 November, the full moon day, the golden lotus robe will be ceremoniously presented to the Padamyar Myetshin Buddha image on the upper terrace, along with other Buddha images throughout the pagoda. Further, the Samañaphala Day alms offering to the Shwedagon Pagoda and its senior monks will commence at 5 am in the southern guest hall. Sermons on Samañaphala by the monks and a merit-sharing activity are scheduled for 6 am,” U Bo Thin stated.
The 37th Shwedagon Pagoda Matho Thingan Competition is scheduled for 3 November, with the Matho Thingan Making Competition Award Ceremony to follow on the Tazaungmone full moon day. Nine teams will take part in the competition. The first prize is set at K4 million, the second at K3.5 million, the third at K3 million, the fourth at K2.5 million, and five teams will each receive K1.5 million as consolation prizes.
Arrangements have been made for pilgrims attending the Matho Thingan Offering Ceremony and the Samañaphala Day observances to stay overnight in designated shelters, where they may engage in merit-making activities. — ASH/TH
