Religious Event: Hoisting Diamond Bud atop the Kaunghmudaw Pagoda

A ceremony to hoist Diamond Bud and Vane atop the Ancient Historic Raja Manisula Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing was held on Sunday.

The pagoda was damaged by the Mandalay earthquake, and the ceremony took place after all-round renovation process.

The ceremony was graced by State Ovada Cariya, Sangha Raja of Shwe Kyin Sect, Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academy and Sitagu Hospitals Abhidhaja Maharahta Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika, Doctor Baddanta Ñāṇissara and members of the Sangha.

Prior to the ceremony, Member of the State Security and Peace Commission, Prime Minister U Nyo Saw paid homage to the Buddha Image at Aung Myay Bodhi Prayers' Hall, offering fruits, flowers, light and water. The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Namotasa three times.

The congregation led by the Prime Minister received the Five Precepts from the Sitagu Sayadaw, followed by offering of holy flower, water, thread and sand to the Sayadaws by the laypersons. Then, the congregation listened to the parittas, delivered by the members of the Sangha.

After performing the religious rituals, the Prime Minister and wife donated the diamond bud, offertories and cash to the Sitagu Sayadaw. 

Then, the Commission Secretary General Ye Win Oo and wife donated the vane and offertories to the Sitagu Sayadaw and members of the Sangha, and followed by the donation of offertories to the members of the Sangha by the Union Ministers and senior military officers from the Commander-in-Chief Office.

Afterwards, the gold and silver jewels were enshrined to the golden casket of the vane by the dignitaries and attendees. The Sitagu Sayadaw later delivered the sermon, and the congregation shared the merits gained.

Then, the Prime Minister and wife and party conveyed the diamond bud and vane around the pagoda in a clockwise procession. The laypersons later conveyed the religious items atop the pagoda.

The Prime Minister, the Commission Secretary and party hoisted the diamond bud and vane atop the pagoda and sprinkled with holy frangrant water. After the ceremony, the Prime Minister and wife and party offered day meal to the Sitagu Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.