The high-level Myanmar delegation led by President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing and Spouse Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, currently in Vientiane, Laos, during a State Visit, paid homage to the That Luang Stupa yesterday morning.
The President, his spouse and delegation members were warmly welcomed by officials with the Lao’s traditional music. The President and his spouse offered oil lights, water, fruits and flowers to the Buddha image at the That Luang Stupa.
They viewed around ancient Buddha images in the stairway of the stupa and the paintings illustrating the maintenance of the stupa in successive eras.
At the Dhamma Hall, the President and his spouse paid homage to the Buddha image with flowers, water and oil lamps.
They also paid their respects to Lao Buddhist Association Chair and Sangharaja of Laos Maha Ahjan Yai Mahaved Menenai and 106-year-old Most Venerable Noi Sangvalo of Laos and donated copies of Tipitaka scriptures and monastic requisites. The Sayadaw gave back Dhamma gifts. Delegation members also donated offerings to members of the Sangha.
The President and his spouse offered a small-scale Maravijaya Buddha Image and the documentary book on the construction of the image to be kept at the Dhamma Hall of the That Luang Stupa to the Sayadaw.
The That Luang Stupa in Laos was originally constructed in the early 13th Century under the leadership of King Jayavamon VI. Five monks who had studied in Rajagriha, India, brought back a relic of the Buddha’s lower collarbone to be enshrined as the sacred relic within the stupa. The original structure was built in the form of a cave-like stupa. Later, in 1560 AD, King Setthathirath relocated the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane and rebuilt the stupa, enveloping the original structure within a larger stupa. In the Lao Language, it is called That Luang Stupa, which means “Great Stupa”. It is a historically significant monument that has been revered by successive Lao kings. The image of That Luang Stupa is also featured on the national emblem of Laos. The annual That Luang Festival is held on the full moon of the Lao lunar month Fakxay (corresponding to Myanmar’s Tazaungmon Full Moon Day). The festival attracts large numbers of pilgrims from across the country, making it a major national religious celebration. — MNA/TTA
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