Offering of Mathoe-Thingan: Acting President, SSPC Chairman offered Mathoe-Thingan

The grand ceremony for offering the Mathoe-Thingan or non-stale golden lotus robe to the Maravijaya Buddha Image during the 2025 Tazaungdaing Festival was held in the morning on November 4, at an auspicious time.

The Acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended and offered the Mathoe-Thingan. First, the ceremony was opened by reciting "Namo Tassa" three times and paying homage to the Buddha.

This was followed by the harmonious, threefold recitation of the Ariyasāvattiḥ Gāthā , beginning with "Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi". Afterwards, responsible persons from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and from Regions and States carried the 15 Mathoe-Thingan or non-stale golden lotus robes from the water fountain square to the platform of the great Maravijaya Buddha Image, proceeding in a clockwise circumambulation around the sacred Buddha Image towards the offering site.

While the robes were being carried, members of religious associations recited the Nine attributes of the Buddha in Pali.  Subsequently, the 15 non-stale golden lotus robes were folded four times and gathered together before being carried up to the golden lotus pedestal.

Then, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman paid respectful homage to the great Maravijaya Buddha Image, offering the alms-food in the emerald bowl, fruits, flowers, water, and oil lamps. He then presented the 15 non-stale golden lotus robes, which were woven, sewn, and embroidered by 15 weaving groups representing the Nay Pyi Taw Council and various Regions and States.

Following this, lay devotees continued the offering by presenting the non-stale golden lotus robes onto the hand of the great Maravijaya Buddha Image. While the offerings were being made, the donors, led by the Acting President and SSPC Chairman and his wife, recited and chanted the Attributes of the Buddha, the Patthana Paccayuddhesa Pali text, Paritta suttas, and Metta verses.

Afterwards, spreading of loving-kindness to all beings of the thirty-one realms, and the merits were shared and the ceremony was concluded. According to tradition, the weaving and offering of Mathoe-Thingan or non-stale robes is usually carried out during the Tazaungmon period.

The weaving of the sacred robes begins on the evening before the full moon day and is completed before dawn on the full moon day, after which they are dedicated and offered to the Lord Buddha. The offering of non-stale robes is celebrated grandly and fervently in towns and regions across the nation every year. At the Maravijaya Buddha Image, the tallest seated marble Buddha Image in the world, the non-stale gold lotus robe was offered by all walks of life led by the Acting President and SSPC Chairman and his wife, it’s learnt.