Prime Ministerattends Htidaw hoisting ceremony of Hsandadawpyi Pagoda in Myingyan

Yangon, 18 Feb-Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, accompanied by ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads, yesterday, left Bagan for Myingyan and arrived there at 7.30 am. The Prime Minister and party were welcomed there by Deputy Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Nay Win, members of District and Township Peace and Development Councils and officials. Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt attended a ceremony to hoist Shwehtidaw atop Hsandadawpyi Pagoda built according to the wishes of Mingun Tipitakadhara Sayadawgyi and put religious objects into upper reliquary was held at the pagoda at 8. am. The ceremony was graced by the presence of members of the Sangha led by Secretary of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abidhaja Agga Maha Saddammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara. Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, the deputy commander of Central Command, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, local authorities,

members of the pagoda board of trustees, members of social organizations and religious associations, wellwishers, local people and pilgrims. The ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. The Prime Minister and party and the congregation received the Nine Precepts from Magway Sayadaw. Next, disciples offered paritta flowers, water, sand and thread to members of the Sangha. The Sayadaws recited paritta. Disciples conveyed the paritta flower, water, sand and thread and scented the paritta water and tied paritta threads in the precinct of the pagoda. Next, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt presented Seinbudaw (the diamonorb), Hngetm yatnadaw (the Vane), religious objects and offertories to Magway Sayadaw Bhadanta Kumara. The ministers and deputy ministers also presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Magway Sayadaw Bha- danta Kumara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.

Afterwards, a cerem- ony to put religious objects into upper reliquary of the Pagoda and hoist Shwehtidaw atop the pagoda was held. First, the Prime Minister and party, wellwishers and disciples conveyed the diamond orb, the vane, Shwehtidaw and religious objects clockwise the pagoda. Next, disciples conveyed the religious objects to the reliquary. Afterwards, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party conveyed the diamond orb, the vane and Shwehtidaw to the pandal of the decorated carriage of Teingya Htidaw Hoisting Team. The Prime Minister and party, next, conveyed the diamond orb, the vane and Shwehtidaw to upper part of the pagoda through the decorated carriage. Prime Minister attends Htidaw hoisting ceremony of Hsandadawpyi Pagoda in Myingyan On behalf of the wellwishers, the Prime Minister fastened the jewellery donated by wellwishers tightly on Shwehtidaw, the vane and the diamond orb. Next, disciples hoisted tiers of Shwehitdaw atop the pagoda. At the auspicious time, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party went atop the pagoda and put religious objects and Buddha images into the reliquary. Next, the Prime Minister and party hoisted the vane and diamond orb atop the pagoda. They sprinkled scented water on the Shwehtidaw, Hngetmyatna-daw and the Seinbudaw. Next, Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara Taingya U Than Hla shared merits gained. The wellwisers hoisted the golden Htidaws of 16 encircling pagodas. The Prime Minister then performed rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the success of the ceremony. The Prime Minister and party paid obeisance to Buddha image in the Gandakuti Taik. They planted a sapling of linlun (Buchanania latifolia). Next, Minkyaung Sayadaw, the Prime Minister and party tolled the Hsandadawpyi Bell for nine times and shared merits gained. The Prime Minister and party went to Pan-ai model Village in Mahlaing Township in Meiktila District. They were welcomed by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Brig-Gen Khin Maung Aye of Meiktila Station, Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Tin of Meiktila Air Base and local authorities. The Prime Minister attended the Seinbudaw hoisting ceremony of Shwemokhtaw Pagoda in the village on 17 February. Also present were members of the Sangha led by State Ovadacariya Athawkayon Yele Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Labhavata, the ministers, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, local authorities and wellwishers.

The congregation received the Nine Precepts from Sayadaw Bhaddanta Labhavata. Next, lay persons presented paritta water, flower, thread and sand to the Sayadaw. Members of the Sangha recited parittas. The lay persons conveyed the parittas water, flower, thread and sand. The Prime Minister presented the Seinbudaw and offertories to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Labhavata. The ministers and wellwishers presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Labhavata delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained. The Prime Minister and party conveyed the Seinbudaw to the pandal of Teingya Htidaw hoisting team. Then they conveyed the Seinbudaw to the top of the pagoda through decorated carriage. At the auspicious time, the Prime Minister and party climbed up the pagoda and hoisted the Seinbudaw. Next, they sprinkled scented water on the golden tiers of the Htidaw, Hngetmyatnadaw and the Seinbudaw. Teingya U Than Hla shared merits gained. They performed rituals of golden and silver showers. The Prime Minister and party paid obeisance to Buddha images in Gandakuti Taik.