Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, wife Daw Mya Mya San attend 9th Buddha Pujaniya Festival, rice offering ceremony of Maha Shwesigyi Pagoda in Kanbalu

NAY PYI TAW, 10 Feb – Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in- Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San attended the ninth Buddha Pujaniya Festival and rice offering ceremony of Maha Shwesigyi Pagoda in Kanbalu, Shwebo District of Sagaing Division yesterday morning and offered rice and alms to the members of the Sangha.
It was also attended by 45 members of the Sangha led by Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Pakhan Kyaungtaikgyi in Shwebo State Ovadacariya Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhama Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa and Chairman of Sagaing Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Bhaddanta Silananda, member of the SPDC Lt-Gen Tin Aye, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in- Chief (Air), senior military officers, Chairman of Sagaing Division PDC Commander Maj-Gen Myint Soe, the ministers, division level departmental officials, departmental officials in Shwebo District and townships, wellwishers, members of the social and religious organizations and local people. Before the ceremony, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in- Chief (Army) wife Daw Mya Mya San arrived at the Pagoda at 4.30 a.m. and offered alms, fruit, water and flowers to Maha Muni Buddha Image at the Pagoda. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye offered alms, fruit, waters and flowers to Mula Shwesi Pagoda. The ceremony to consecrate Maha Shwesigyi Pagoda followed at 5 a.m. at the Pagoda. Altogether 45 members of the Sangha consecrated the Pagoda. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party paid homage to the Pagoda. Then Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party offered ‘soon’ to the members of the Sangha at Sasana Beikmantaw at the platform of the Pagoda.
Afterwards, the rice offering ceremony followed. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party, wellwishers, departmental officials, social and religious organizations members and local people donated rice and offertories to the 45 members of the Sangha. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party cordially greeted local people, members of the organizations and departmental personnel. Next, the ceremony to share the merits gained was held at Sasana Beikmantaw at 10.30 a.m. U Htin Lin of township Cooperative Department who acted as the MC read out the agenda of the ceremony. Then the ceremony was opened with three times of Namo Tassa.
Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and those present received the Five Precepts from Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimalabhi-vamsa. Next, members of the Sangha recited parittas. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife offered alms to the Sayadaw. Next, member of the SPDC Lt-Gen Tin Aye and party, townselders, wellwishers and departmental officials offered provisions to members of the Sangha. Afterwards, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa delivered a sermon and Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and congregations shared the merits gained. The ceremony ended
with three times of Buddha Sasanam Ciran Tittahtu. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife offered day meal to the members of the Sangha. On 7 February, Vice- Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San and party went to Maha Shwesigyi Pariyatti Sartintaik and paid respects to Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Acara. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye supplicated on matters related to the needs of the monastery and oversaw the conditions of the monastery. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party attended the ceremony to pay respects to elder persons who are at the age of above 85 at Maha Shwesigyi Sasana Beikmantaw in Kanbalu and they paid respects to the aged. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party presented gifts to the aged. On 8 February, Vice- Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San and party viewed Htamanhe-making competition to mark the ninth Buddha Pujaniya Festival of Maha Shwesigyi Pagoda. A total of 20 teams of wards, villages and organizations in Kanbalu Township took part in the competition. After Htamanhe-making competition, they cordially greeted contestants and local people.