Religious Ceremony: Conveying Buddha Statue and planting Maha Bodhi tree

A ceremony to convey Buddha Statue to Mucalinda Dragon Pagoda Shrine in the compound of Maravijaya Buddha Park in Deckkhina Thiri Township in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday. Chairman of the State Administation Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the ceremony which commenced with the recitation of “Namo Tassa” three times.

It was followed by reciting of religious Gadhas by the congregation. At the auscipious time, the Prime Minister pressed the button to convey the Buddha Statue. After that, the Prime Minister and party offered scented water to Mucalinda Buddha Statue.

It was followed by reciting of victory Gadhas and sharing of merits. After the ceremony, the Prime Minister and party performed good deeds by feeding the fish in the Mucalinda Lake. It is believed that during Buddha’s sixth week of meditation under the Mucalinda Tree, a heavy untimely rain fell for seven days.

Muchalinda Dragon King offered his body to protect the Buddha from falling rain drops. The Dragon King coiled around the Buddha with his body seven times and covered the Buddha’s head with his expanded hood. The establishment of Mucalinda Budha Statue in the compound of Maravijaya Buddha Park has been carried out with the guidance of the Sayadaws and senior members of the Sanghas in line with the religious scriptures.

As a gesture of performing meritorious deed on the Full Moon Day of Kason, a ceremony to plant Maha Bodhi Tree continued. After reciting the religious Gadhas, the Prime Minister deposited the jewellery at the chosen site for planting Maha Bodhi tree.

At the auscipious time, the Prime Minister planted Maha Bodhi tree and poured holy water and scented water. The ceremony concluded after sharing merits gained. After that, the Prime Minister and party toured round the Maha Bodhi tree in a clockwise position, and showered gold and silver rains to mark the successful accomplishment of hte ceremony.

Maravijaya Buddha Image is being built with the aims of showing the firm flourishing of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar, to ensure Myanmar is reverent to Theravada Buddhism, to be a peaceful and prosperous country and to ensure the world is peaceful and prosperous. At present, 95% of carving the Maravijaya Buddha Image has been completed. Moreover, many religious edifices are being constructed in the Buddha Park, and 82.3% of the construction works have been completed so far.