The merit-sharing ceremony was held to mark the successful completion of the renovation of the eastern prayer hall of Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Bago.
President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla attended the ceremony to share merits in commemoration of the successful completion of offering gold foils to Sutaungpyae Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Bago yesterday morning,
The President and his wife offered meals in the alms-bowl, fruits, flowers, water and oil lamps to the Buddha image in the northern prayer hall of the pagoda and paid homage.
The congregation, led by the President and his wife, took the Eight Precepts from Presiding Patron of Bago Sasana Mandaing Monastery Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Sirinda while members of the Sangha recited Paritta.
The President and his wife donated the picture and alms to mark the successful completion of offering gold foils to State Ovadacariya, Ovadacariya of Shwemawdaw Pagoda Board of Trustees Bago Myoma Monastery Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Gandama and the picture and offerings to mark the successful completion of renovation for the eastern prayer hall to Kyakhatwaing Monastery Presiding Patron Sayadaw Aggamaha Pandita Bhaddanta Ñeyadhamma Bhivamsa.
Union Ministers and officials also donated offertories to members of the Sangha.
After listening to the sermon delivered by Kyakhatwaing Monastery Sayadaw, the President, his wife and congregation shared merits gained.
The President and his wife offered day meals to members of the Sangha, and served lunch to attendees.
The President viewed round the gilt Shwemawdaw Pagoda and inspected preparations to offer rice to members of the Sangha. At the ceremony, the President, his wife and congregation donated rice and offertories to 900 members of the Sangha and 100 nuns.
Also present at the ceremony were Union Ministers U Khin Maung Yi, General Ko Ko Oo, Dr Soe Win and U Tin Oo Lwin, Bago Region Chief Minister U Myo Swe Win, commanders of Yangon and Southern commands, and officials.
According to historical accounts, the Lord Buddha bestowed two strands of His sacred hair upon two merchant brothers, Mahasala and Culasala, who were natives of Zaungtu. The two brothers enshrined the sacred hair relics on Mount Sudassana and built the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, with an original height of 75 feet, for veneration. In Myanmar Era 187 and 202, King Samala and King Vimala respectively enlarged the pagoda, raising its height to 81 feet and 88 feet.
In Myanmar Era 344, King Anurama enshrined an additional sacred tooth relic of the Buddha in the pagoda, and in Myanmar Era 854, Banya Yan donated and consecrated a new umbrella for the pagoda.
Earthquakes that struck the areas around Bago in 1274, 1279 and 1292ME caused extensive damage to the pagoda, destroying it down to the first lower terrace at its base. The pinnacle that collapsed in the earthquake of 1279ME can still be seen today at the northeast corner of the pagoda. Then, government and people hoisted the umbrella in 1315ME.
During his visit to pay homage to the Shwemawdaw Pagoda in August 2025, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing took the initiative and led efforts to donate and arrange for the entire pagoda platform to be paved with heat-resistant marble slabs, enabling monks, nuns and the general public visiting the pagoda to pay homage comfortably and peacefully.
Under the leadership of the President and his wife and through the collective donations of monks, nuns, the public and donors, from all walks of life, the successful offering of gold foils to the Shwemawdaw Pagoda and the renovation and reconstruction of the eastern prayer hall on the pagoda platform have been completed. Therefore, the grand ceremony to formally dedicate the meritorious deeds and share the merits was successfully held yesterday.
MNA/
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