Religion    

Secretary-1 hoists diamond orb atop Zabunyein Hsutaungpyay Pagoda in Panwa, Kachin State 

Yangon, 27 April— Border Areas and National Races Development Affairs Work Committee Chairman State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and party, arrived at Panwa in Chipwe Township, Kachin Special Region-1 this morning.

National Race Leader U Zakhon Ting Ring and national race leaders, Lisu, Rawan, Lacheik, Lawwaw and Jinphaw nationals welcomed them.

The diamond orb and robe offering of Jabunyein Hsutaungpyay Pagoda was held at the pandal on the hill of the pagoda, attended by Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt.

Staff Officer U Thura of the Religious Affairs Department acted as master of ceremonies.

The Secretary-1 and the congregation received the Nine Precepts from Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Silavamsa. Then, members of the Sangha recited parittas.

General Khin Nyunt handed over the diamond orb and offertories in dedication to the pagoda to the Sayadaw.

National race leader U Zakhon Ting Ring  also presented robe and offertories, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and Commander Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe, the Hngetmyatnadaw and offertories to the Sayadaw. The Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.

Then the diamond orb offering was held. The Secretary-1 and party, U Zakhon Ting Ring and wellwishers conveyed the diamond orb and the Hngetmyatnadaw to the decorated carriage.

The diamond orb and the Hngetmyatnadaw were conveyed to the top of the pagoda in the Teingya Mingala Carriage.

At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, the commander and U Zakhon Ting Ring offered the diamond orb and the Hngetmyatnadaw to the pagoda.

The Secretary-1 put the jewelleries and relics donated by wellwishers into the diamond orb.

The Secretary-1 and U Zakhon Ting Ring sprinkled scented water on the diamond orb and Hngetmyatnadaw.

Meanwhile, wellwishers offered golden umbrellas to the encircling pagodas. Teingya U Than Hla recited a religious verse.

Afterwards, the General and U Zakhon Ting Ring offered robe to the pagoda.

To mark the success of the ceremony, the General and party performed rituals of golden and silver showers.

The General and U Zakhon Ting Ring planted a Bo tree in the precinct of the pagoda.

The Secretary-1 and party together with U Zakhon Ting Ring sprinkled scented water on Dagun post, the stone inscriptions and the royal bell. 

Teingya U Than Hla shared the merits gained for good deeds.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party visited Panwa Theravada Buddhist Missionary monastery and paid obeisance to Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Wuntho monstery in Myitkyina Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Silavamsa and  Panwa Theravada Buddhist Missionary monastery Sayadaw Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Ceinnita.

Next, the Secretary-1 met U Zakhon Ting Ring of Special Region-1 in Kachin State and national race leaders and national people at the City Hall in Panwa.  U Zakhon Ting Ring made a welcoming address. He thanked the Secretary-1 who gave guidance on constructing the pagoda, the commander and those who constructed the pagoda.

The Secretary-1 said it was an auspicious and a significant day for Panwa region of special region-1 in Kachin State. In this region, various national races with various faiths performed meritorious deeds together although they had difference in religion and culture. This showed national solidarity spirit in other words consolidation of the Union Spirit.

He said it is historical tradition that all the national races have lived in the Union through thick and thin since time immemorial. The Union of Myanmar came into existence due to the unity among the national races and as a result of unity and solidarity among national brethern, the Union has perpetuated.

He said he and high-ranking officials, local authorities and the ministers attended the ceremony to build Zabunyein Pagoda in Panwa region and performed meritorious deeds together with the national races. Now the national races met in the region where they could not make contact with each other over 12 years ago. They could perform meritorious deeds because peace and stability was restored in the region, he said. As high-ranking officials of the State can visit Panwa region any time, national race leaders and local people from the region can go to various parts of the country, he said. With the development in relationship, the national races understand another’s traditional culture and customs and traditions and there will be mutual respect among them. They also have opportunity to meet each other in peace and amity. The religious ceremony and traditional cultural festival showed this fact that the taste and essence of peace was significant and valuable, he said.

He spoke of the need for all national races to live forever in the Union as long as the world exists after realizing the essence of peace.

He said all religions lead to peace and they value loving kindness. People believe that performing meritorious deeds will gain prosperity. Thus, all the national brethren will have to continue to preserve and promote the fine tradition of living in unity and amity in the Union for years countable by the thousand based on loving-kindness and faith. No religion and national race will accept the acts of destroying the friendship and unity of the national races.

With this end in view, all the national brethren are to avoid the acts to disintegrate the Union which does not bear fruits to anyone and live in unity in the Union based on nationalism and Union spirit that do good to everyone as long as the world exists. The Government has been making arrangements to bring  harmonious and equitable development to all the national races residing in the Union. Accordingly, the Government has been providing necessary assistance for regional development to ensure better transport across the nation with a view to creating more economic opportunities and imparting the knowledge to the national brethren. At the same time, efforts are being made for ensuring higher living standard of the local people and for enhancing education and health sectors so that the local national race youths can serve the interests of the State and the people.

The Government regardless of races and religions has been taking systematic measures for bringing about equitable development in all parts of the nation in order to strengthen the unity and friendship among the national brethren. Now, the Government in cooperation with the people has made arrangements to build Zabunyein Pagoda in Panwa region with a view to ensuring regional development and bringing peace and tranquillity to the region. It is incumbent upon all the national races to live in unity and amity to ensure successful implementation of the national objectives laid down by the State.

The Secretary-1 wished all the national brethren to live in the Union with peace of mind, enjoying the fruits of peace and friendship in line with the successful building of Zabunyein Pagoda in Panwa region.

Next, the Secretary-1 presented gifts to national race leader of special region-1 U Zakhun Ting Ring.

He also presented gifts to the Secretary-1, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and Commander Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe. U Lawa Zhaung Khaung and Daw S Khaung Nang of Myitkyina presented K 35 million for Panwa WCWA in special region-1 to Patron Daw Khaw Nang. Patron of Kachin State WCWA wife of the commander Daw Tin Tin Nwe presented K 1 million and 100 blankets to Panwa WCWA.

The Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the evening.