Nay Pyi Taw, November 7
Families of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army, Navy and Air) held their 10th communal Kathina donation ceremony this morning in Anawrahta Hall of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), attended by Commander in- Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, who presented Kathina robes and offertories.
Present were 27 members of the Sangha led by State Ovadacariya Sayadaw Zakon Monastery Presiding Nayaka Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Kavisara. Also present together with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla were Deputy Commander in- Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut and wife, Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Sein Win and wife, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung and wife, Chief of the General Staff (Army,Navy and Air) General Mya Tun Oo and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, and senior military officers from the Office of the Commander in- Chief and their wives.
First, the Senior General and wife and the congregation observed the display of Kathina robes, offertories and padethabins (tree-shaped stands where various kinds of offerings are hung).
Next, the Senior General and wife offered oil lights, water and fruits and meals in the emerald alms-bowl to the Buddha Image in the hall.
The ceremony was then opened by reciting Namo Tassa three times, and the congregation received the Nine Precepts from Chairman of Zeyathiri Township Sangha Nayaka Committee (Shwegyin) Presiding Nayaka of Yezin KanU monastery Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Vilasa. Afterwards, Sayadaws recited Parittas.
Next, the Senior General and wife offered Kathina robes and alms to the Zaygon Monastery Sayadaw.
Then, the Vice-Senior General and wife offered Kathina robes and alms to Presiding Nayaka of Mingala Zayyon Pali Tekkatho Monastery in Pyinmana Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Sadhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vimalabuddhi. The Union Minister for Home Affairs and wife, the Union Minister for Defence and wife, the Union Minister for Border Affairs and wife, the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air)and wife, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and wife, the Commander in- Chief (Air) and wife, and senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives offered Kathina robes and alms to the members of the Sangha respectively. Ganvasaka Preaching Sayadaws from Yezin KanU Monastery Ashin Vayama and Ashin Javana carried out a question and answer session on Kathina.
The Pali Tekkatho Monastery Sayadaw delivered a sermon and the congregation shared the merits gained. Then, day’s meal was offered to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.
At the 10th communal Kathina offering ceremony of families of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army, Navy and Air) today, the donations included 83 Padethabins worth over Ks-129 million from offices / departments. The donations were transported to respective monasteries with the use of cars from those offices and departments.
