Religion    

Yangon, 17 April - Today is an auspicious Myanmar New Year Day of 1365 Myanmar Era. City dwellers donated provisions to members of the Sangha, manicured parents, older persons and teachers, served monks and people of various regions with nourishment and set birds and animals free at wards and townships of Yangon City from the morning to evening today. In addition, devotees practised meditation and members of the Sangha recited Parittas to be free from dangers.

At Shwedagon Pagoda, wellwishers and devotees offered fruits, flowers, water, lights and incense sticks to Buddha images. Religious organizations and wellwishers served pilgrims and people with foodstuff and refreshments on the platform of the pagoda. Similarly, wut associations recited Lord Buddha's Desana including Mangala Sutta and Metta Sutta.

Likewise, devotees performed meritorious deeds at Botahtaung Pagoda. Myitta Byuha Group held the 16th Metta Sutta recitation ceremony from Akyo Day of Maha Thingyan to New Year Day at the Dhammayon.

The ceremony to conclude Maha Pathana recitation was held at Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Pagoda. Over 20 wut associations participated in the recitation of Mangala Sutta, Metta Sutta and others to mark the Myanmar New Year Day. Organized by the Sule Pagoda Board of Trustees, water, flowers, lights, incense sticks, fruits and scented water were offered to Buddha images. A similar ceremony was held at Mogaung Pagoda in Yankin Township. Sayadaws administered Dhamma Desanas to the congregation in the morning and members of the Sangha recited Maha Pathana Desana in the evening. Religious associations served pilgrims with refreshments. Likewise, members of the Sangha, pilgrims and devotees performed meritorious deeds at Meilamu, Kyaikkasan, Koedatgyi, Chaukhtetgyi, Ngadatgyi, Shwephonepwint and Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Buddha Image and other pagodas.

The Hitesi Group of Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha held the 36th lucky draw programme to mark the New Year Day at Hitesi Pandal this morning. The Mahasi Presiding Ovadaçariya Sayadaw and Nayaka Sayadaws attended the ceremony. Hitesi Group Chairman U Kyaw opened the ceremony. Altogether 55 lucky draws worth K 165,500 were included in the programme.

The 54th ceremony to pay respects to aged persons of Zaygyi, Talaingpaing, Ngakyawpho and Ohbo wards in Kyimyindine Township was held at Maha Ponnyaw Pakara Dhammayon on Kyaunggyi Road in Kyimyindine Township this morning. The people paid respects to 434 aged persons. The congregation then took the Eight Precepts from Kyaunggyi Taik Thandwe Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Suriya of Kyimyindine.

Under the auspices of Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and wife Daw Myint Myint Aye, Deputy Minister U Aung Thein and wife Daw Khin Mya Nwe, the 12th donations ceremony was held at Hninzigon Home for the Aged this morning. Staff families shampooed and manicured the older persons. Thakayta Palikari Kyaungtaik Agga Maha Ganthavaçaka Pandita Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Angisa administered the Nine Precepts. The deputy minister supplicated on the purpose of the donations. Then, the deputy minister and departmental heads donated provisions to the Sayadaws. Then, the deputy minister presented over K 3,190,000 donated by the ministry to the Home for the Aged.

The Buddhist families of Yangon University also performed meritorious deeds at Hninzigon Home for the Aged. In the evening, the older persons released fish into Kandawgyi Lake. At Thiri Yadana Hall of the Home, members of the Sangha recited Parittas for the people to be free from dangers. The 30th ceremony to pay respects to Mon older persons was held at Mon Dhammayon on Shwedagon Pagoda Road this morning.

Those present on the occasion paid respects to 75 older persons. Then, Mon youths sprinkled scented water to the older persons.

Fisheries Department sold fingerlings at reasonable price. Therefore, lakes at Kaba Aye Pagoda, Maha Wizaya Pagoda and Bronze Buddha Image, Kandawgyi, Inya and Hlawga lakes were crowded with those who set fingerlings free. Members of the Sangha went round townships in Yangon City with reciting Parittas by car on New Year Day morning.

In the evening, Sayadaws recited Parittas at the junctions of wards in townships of Yangon City.