NAY PYI TAW August 3
Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo of the National Defence and Security Council and his wife, the entourage, the Bago Region Chief Minister and officials, paid homage to ancient prominent pagodas in Bago of Bago Region today.
Hsutaungpyae Shwemawdaw Pagoda
The Senior General and his wife, and party paid homage to Hsutaungpyae Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Bago and offered alms in the emerald almsbowl, fruits, flowers, water and oil lights.
The Senior General and party also paid homage to Hsutaungpyae Balu Yannaing Buddha Image on the upper terrace of the pagoda and offered gold foils.
After going round the pagoda clockwise, the Senior General gave guidance to officials, saying that it is necessary to constantly maintain the pagoda and religious buildings in the precinct for long-term existence and keeping them neat and tidy for magnificence. Families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) will donate marble slabs to be placed on the platform of the pagoda for convenience of pilgrims. In so doing, the platform must be placed with systematic drainage facilities. And, officials were urged to supervise the work process to be completed as quickly as possible. The Senior General then cordially greeted pilgrims.
The Senior General viewed ancient Buddha images, ornaments, and utensils displayed at the historical museum of the pagoda and gave guidance on systematic preservation of these ancient objects and other measures.
The Senior General signed the guests book of the pagoda and presented cash donation for the overall renovation of the pagoda to officials who returned Dhamma gifts.
Shwethalyaung reclining Buddha Image
The Senior General, his wife and party proceeded to Shwethalyaung reclining Buddha Image called Shinpinthalyaung and paid homage. They offered flowers, water and oil lights.
The Senior General and party went round the pagoda. The Senior General gave guidance to officials for carrying out necessary maintenance to ensure strengthening of the image, keep the image clean and pleasant for magnificence. The Senior General cordially greeted pilgrims.
The Senior General signed the guests books of the image and donated cash to the fund for overall renovation to officials who returned Dhamma gifts.
The Senior General and party visited religious objects and traditional handi-works shops in the prayer hall.
Hsutaungpyae Swetawshin Mahazedi Pagoda
The Senior General and party visited Hsutaungpyae Swetawshin Mahazedi Pagoda built by Hanthawady Hsinbyumyarshin King Bayintnaung who established the second Myanmar empire in Mazin Ward of Bago, paid homage and offered fruits, flowers, water and oil lights.
After signing the guests book of the pagoda, the Senior General presented cash donations for all-round renovation of the pagoda to officials who gave back Dhamma gifts.
The Senior General gave guidance to officials to constantly carry out necessary maintenance of the pagoda for long-term existence.
As today was a public holiday, prominent pagodas in Bago were packed with pilgrims from four corners of the nation.
