Pouring Water on Bodhi Trees: Rakhine State CM attended the traditional festival

The Rakhine State Government organized the consecration ceremony and the festival of pouring water on the Bodhi tree at the Lawkananda Pagoda in Sittwe.

The ceremony took place on the morning of the Full Moon Day of Kasone (Buddha Day) which falls on April 30th. It was attended by venerable Sayadaws, Rakhine State Chief Minister U Naing Oo and his wife, Speaker of the Rakhine State Hluttaw Dr. San Shwe, the Chief Justice of the State High Court, the Deputy Speaker of the State Hluttaw, members of the State Government and their spouses, Hluttaw representatives, and other officials.

Initially, State Chief Minister U Naing Oo and his wife paid homage to the Buddha images inside the Lawkananda Pagoda’s cave, offering alms-food, flowers, water, and oil lamps.

Following this, the members of Sangha performed the consecration ceremony for the Lawkananda Pagoda.

The Chief Minister, his wife, and officials then offered "soon" (dawn alms-food) to members of Sangha led by Bhaddanta Nandasiri, the State Ovadacariya and Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Nandaryama Pariyatti  Monastery.

The congregation led by the Chief Minister, received the Nine Precepts from the Presiding Sayadaw. They listened to the Paritta suttas recited by the Sangah, offered donation items, and performed the pouring water to share the merits gained.

Afterward, the members of Sangha, Chief Minister, State Ministers, officials, and local residents proceeded to the No. 1 and No. 2 Maha Bodhi trees to perform the traditional pouring water on the Bodhi trees and sprinkle the trees with scented water, it’s reported.