November 12, 2019
Yesterday was Fullmoon of Tazaungmone also known as Samannaphala Sutta Day and according to tradition townships in pagodas and congregation halls in townships of Mandalay Region were thronged with people lighting up pagodas and Buddha images with oil lamps and electric lights while Matho Robe Weaving Contests and offering of Matho Robes were conducted in some pagodas. People grouped together as shop sellers, school teachers and students, personnel of public and private offices were also sending off their Kathina Robe offerings to respective monasteries with cars, trucks and tricycles. Free food offerings to the general public were also conducted in some wards and streets of Mandalay.
Yesterday morning at 4 am a face washing ritual team led by Yaydaw Sayadaw Bhaddanta Okkahta performed the ritual daily face washing of the Mahamuni Buddha image followed by offering of golden robe, meal, water and flower. Devotees also offered meals, water, flowers and oil lamps to the Buddha image while religious groups conducted reciting of parittas.
At 5 am, Mahamuni Pagoda Trustee Board conducted 30th Matho Robe Weaving and Offering event that was attended by Mandalay Region Hluttaw Speaker U Aung Kyaw Oo, Region ministers, pagoda trustee board chairman U Soe Lin and wife, officials and devotees.
After the Matho Robe was weaved, Yaydaw Sayadaw Bhaddanta Okkahta led Region officials to place the robe onto the Mahamuni Buddha image.
Next, Region Hluttaw Speaker, Region ministers and pagoda trustee board chairman presented the robe weaving groups with cash awards and documents of honors.
In the same way, Matho Robe weaving and offering event and lotus flower throwing event were held in Mar Le Pagoda in the Mahamuni Pagoda compound. As the day dawns, invited monks were offered meals and offertories while a donor family that make donation every year on this day offered foods and drinks to their friends and relatives as well as devotees paying homage to the pagoda.
In the afternoon, Mandalay Region government’s 4th Katina Robe donation and merit sharing ceremony was held at Maha Atula Waiyan Atumashi Kyaungdawgyi.
On the evening of Fullmoon of Tazaungmon, pagodas in Mandalay region were flocked with devotees offering golden robes, flower, water, fruits while religious groups conducted recitation of Pa Htan (Patthana). Locals and visitors from afar paying homage to the pagodas were also offered with meals, soft drinks and snacks by donors at the pagodas itself as well as in the wards and streets. — Tin Maung (Mann sub printing house)
(Translated by Zaw Min)
