Religious Occasion: Consecration ceremony of Buddha Images in Sittwe

The consecration ceremony of the Maravijaya and Abaya Raja Muni Buddha Images was held at the Lawka Nanda Pagoda’s precinct in Sittwe on Sunday. The ceremony led by the Rakhine State Government, was graced by the State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, members of the Sangha, Rakhine State Chief Minister U Htein Lin, and other concerned officials.

First, the members of the Sangha, led by the Presiding Patron of Nanda Rama Pariyatti Monastery State Ovadacariya Sayadaw consecrated the Buddha images. The Chief Minister and concerned officials then sprinkled the Buddha images with scented water.

Then, the second part of the ceremony continued with the three-time recitation of 'Namotassa' by the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha and the congregation led by the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister and the congregation took the five precepts from the Presiding Patron of Nanda Rama Pariyatti Monastery, listened to the paritta sutta preached by the members of the Sangha, and donated offertories and rice to the members of the Sangha.

This was followed by the sermon, delivered by the State Ovadacariya Sayadaw of Sittwe Pyinnya LinkaRa Monastery, and sharing of merits gained by the congregation. The Maravijaya and Abaya Raja Muni Buddha Images have been enshrined within the precinct of the Lawka Nanda Pagoda in Sittwe for the public reverence.