Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon: Matho Thingan offering ceremony at Mahamuni pagoda

On the Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon, Mahamuni pagoda, Aung Taw Mu pagoda, Maha Lawka Marazein Kuthodaw pagoda, Kyauk Taw Gyi pagoda and Shwe Kyee Myin pagoda in Mandalay was crowded with pilgrims and well-wishers to do merit.

The Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon marks the end of the rainy season and the start of the cold season in Myanmar. It also marks the end of Kathina season, a time of giving. People bring donations such as robes, basic utensils, foods and many other offertories to pagodas and monasteries to express gratitude to the Lord Buddha and members of the Sangha. The 33rd traditional Matho Thingan (non-perishable robe) offering ceremony was held at Mahamuni pagoda and boomed with the Buddhist devotees.

Pilgrim

I came from Katha. I’d never experienced seeing the Matho Thingan (non-perishable robe) offering to the Lord Buddha. I’m very pleased to have experienced something like this noble. I am satisfied beyond my words.

Pilgrim

I have already seen washing the face of the Buddha Image and I came here to see the offering of Matho Thingan to the Lord Buddha. I’m very pleased because I had no experience with this kind of event.

Pilgrim

I feel delighted to pay homage to the pagoda in the early morning of the full moon day of Tazaungmon. I’m very pleased to see many young people come to the pagoda. Under the shelter of the Pagoda, bad things are washed away and inner peace is achieved, I believe.

In Tazaungmon, Buddhists celebrate the Matho Thingan donation ceremonies. They are called non-perishable robes because they are not allowed to go stale, they are woven within the space of the night. It seems to imitate the Kathina robe. According to the sermons of Buddha regarding the features of the Kathina offering, the Matho Thingan is also donated as soon as they are finished at dawn.