A ceremony to hoist the bejewelled diamond orb and the pennant-shaped vane atop ancient Raja Manicula Kaunghmutaw Pagoda which has been renovated due to damage caused by the Mandalay earthquake took place in Sagaing of Sagaing Region yesterday morning, and State Ovadacariya 16th Shwegyin Sangharaja Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies and Sitagu Hospitals Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotika Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara and members of the Sangha attended the ceremony.
State Security and Peace Commission Member Prime Minister U Nyo Saw paid homage to the Buddha image in Aungmyay Bawdi Dhammayon.
The Commission member Prime Minister and his wife and congregation took the Five Precepts from Sitagu Sayadaw.
The Commission member Prime Minister and his wife offered the bejewelled diamond orb, alms dedicating to the Lord Buddha to Sitagu Sayadaw.
Commission Secretary General Ye Win Oo and his wife offered the pennant-shaped vane and alms to Sitagu Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.
Union Ministers and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief also donated offertories to members of the Sangha. Those attendees donated gem items to be put into the gem casket of the bejewelled pennant-shaped vane.
Sitagu Sayadaw delivered a sermon, and the congregation shared merits gained.
The Commission member Prime Minister and his wife, the Commission Secretary and his wife and party conveyed the bejewelled diamond orb and the pennant-shaped vane to the venue in front of the pavilion. They also sprinkled scented water on these items.
Disciples conveyed bejewelled diamond orb and the pennant-shaped vane atop the pagoda. The Commission member Prime Minister and the Commission Secretary fixed the bejewelled diamond orb and the pennant-shaped vane atop the pagoda.
After the ceremony, the Commission member Prime Minister and his wife and party offered day meals to members of the Sangha led by Sitagu Sayadaw.
Also, present at the ceremony were chief ministers of Sagaing and Mandalay regions, commanders of North-West Command and Central Command, deputy ministers, departmental officials and residents. — MNA/ TTA