NAY PYI TAW May 11
The water-pouring ceremony at banyan trees is one of 12 seasonal festivals of Myanmar Buddhist people. On the full moon of Kason 1387 Myanmar Era, a festival of pouring water on banyan trees dedicated to sacred Bo trees in commemoration of the Buddha Day which falls on the full moon of Kason 1387 Myanmar Era was held at the Maha Bodhi banyan tree in the precinct of Maravijaya Buddha Park in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory this afternoon. Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla watered the Maha Bodhi banyan tree.
Also present at the ceremony were SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, the Council Secretary and his wife, the Joint Secretary and his wife, council members and their wives, Union-level dignitaries, Union ministers and their wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, officials and religious associations.
The Senior General and his wife offered flowers, water and oil lamps to the Maravijaya Buddha Image.
The auspicious ceremony of pouring water on banyan trees on the full moon of Kason was opened with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. The master of ceremonies recited Maha Bodhi Rukkha Sincanapuja Gatha and the congregation called Sadhu three times.
The Senior General and his wife, the Vice-Senior General and his wife, the Council Secretary and his wife, the Joint Secretary and his wife, council members and their wives, and Union-level dignitaries and their wives sprayed scented water and poured water on the Maha Bodhi banyan tree. They all then went round the banyan tree clockwise.
Yogies from religious association members also sprayed scented water and poured water on the Maha Bodhi banyan tree. The master of ceremonies read the paper on sharing of merits gained. The congregation shared merits gained and recited Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu three times to close the ceremony.
Under the patronage of the Senior General and his wife, Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Kyaw Swa Lin and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and his wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army, Navy and Air) and their wives, officers, warrant officers, corporals and other ranks and their families poured water on Maha Bodhi banyan trees at Lawkachantha Hsutaungpyae Pagoda military in Zeyathiri Township.
The full moon of Kason is the most significant one in Buddhism. It shows religiously prominent occurrences, stating that hermit Sumeda, the embryo Buddha, accepted a great prediction of Dipankara Buddha to become the Gotama Buddha in the Badda world. Moreover, Prince Siddhatta was born on the full moon day of Kason. The Gotama Buddha-to-be attained the Supreme Enlightenment at dawn of Kason full moon day. The Gotama Buddha attained Parinibbana on the full moon day of Kason. As such, these occurrences were recorded as the great prediction, birthing, enlightenment and Parinibbana. As such, Buddhists set the full moon day of Kason as a sacred day as the full moon day of Kason becomes the greatest occurrences not only for Lord Gotama Buddha but for all Lord Buddhas. The water-pouring festival at banyan trees on full moon of Kason is not only a joyous and spiritually uplifting religious event worthy of merit, but also a celebration held as part of Myanmar’s cultural heritage. According to reports, the day before the full moon of Kason, it is customary to spray fragrant scented water on the banyan trees that will be watered during the festival, and to prepare the sacred Bodhi tree platform to appear serene and dignified—activities regarded as meritorious deeds.
