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Vice-Senior General Maung Aye attends ceremony to enshrine relicts, erect the pivot at Maha Tejadhipati Pagoda on Yadana Hill in Mongpan Township, Loilem District

Yangon, 17 Nov - The relics enshrining and pivot erecting ceremony of Maha Tejadhipati Pagoda built on Yadana Hill in Mongpan Township, Loilem District, Shan State, was held at the pagoda on 16 November, attended by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye.

At 7.30 am, the ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. Vocalist U Tun Shwe sang the song titled Htu-Ma-Charna with the accompaniment of harpist U Soe Win of the State School of Drama (Mandalay). Then, silver conch shells were blown and gongs were beaten. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party took the Nine Precepts from State Ovada�ariya Shwegu Pariyatti Monastery Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vilasabhivamsa. Members of the Sangha recited Parittas. Afterwards, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye offered the Buddha image which sojourned on the Aparajita throne for the pagoda and eight requisites to the Shwegu Pariyatti Monastery Sayadaw. Similarly, the members of the State Peace and Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and the Commander-in-Chief (Air), the commanders, the ministers, the deputy ministers and senior military officers donated religious objects, the pivot and eight requisites to the Sayadaws. Later, the Shwegu Pariyatti Monastery Sayadaw delivered a sermon, then the congregation shared merits gained.

Then, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye conveyed the Buddha image which sojourned on the Aparajita throne to go round the pagoda clock-wise. Likewise, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and Lt-Gen Tin Aye conveyed sacred relics and religious objects to be placed in the reliquary. Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Brig-Gen Myat Hein, Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Commander Brig-Gen Khin Zaw, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, wellwishers, members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials conveyed religious objects, silver caskets and the pivot. The vocalists sang the religious songs. They then carried the religious objects to the Sattathana Mula Reliquary. The architects opened the reliquary and ignited the lights. At the auspicious time, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye placed a religious object into the Sattathana Mula Reliquary. The lay persons recited religious verses. Next, the Vice-Senior General kept the remaining religious objects into the reliquary.

Next, the members of the State Peace and Development Council and Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint placed the other religious objects into the reliquary. After closing the reliquary, members of the Sangha recited Jayanto Bodhi Yamule Gatha. Then, the Vice-Senior General sprinkled scented water on the reliquary. Afterwards, the Vice-Senior General placed the silver Bo tree with five branches and other religious objects into the middle reliquary at the auspicious time. After closing the middle reliquary, the Vice-Senior General sprinkled scented water on the middle reliquary.

The ceremony to erect the pivot of the pagoda was held at the circular decorative band of the pagoda. At the auspicious time, the Vice-Senior General, together with Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, erected the pivot and sprinkled scented water on it. Members of the Sangha recited Jayanto Bodhi Yamule Gatha three times and Staff Officer U Thura of Religious Affairs Department shared merits gained. After recitation of Buddha Sasanam ‚iram Titthatu three times, the silver conch shells were blown and the gongs were beaten.

Later, the Vice-Senior General and party performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the successful completion of the ceremony. After the ceremony, the Vice-Senior General and party offered "soon" to the Sayadaws.