Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, paid homage to Abhaya Razamuni Buddha Image and Thatta Thattaha Maha Bodhi Pagoda in the precinct of Buddha Park in Kengtung of Shan State (East) yesterday morning.
They viewed round Buddhological statues carved in marble stones in the cave of the pagoda.
The Senior General and his wife enjoyed the scenic beauties of Kengtung from the viewpoint of the Buddha Park and heard reports on the functioning of the Siladhamma free clinic and the construction of Siladhamma Hospital by officials.
At Thatta Thattaha Maha Bodhi Pagoda, they offered flowers, water and joss sticks to the Buddha image. They also donated cash to the fund for the overall renovation of the pagoda to pagoda board of trustees Chairman U Khin Maung Kyi.
The Senior General and party paid homage to the Buddha image on the upper terrace. They also visited four Samvejaniya holy places of the Lord Buddha.
On arrival at the construction site of Lawka Tharaphu Pagoda in the precinct of Buddha Park, the Senior General viewed the approved site for the pagoda, the functions of the quarry and the small scale of the pagoda. The Senior General sought the advice of Kengtung’s Siladhamma Kontha Tawya presiding patron Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Kovida Wasipeik Sayadaw and made some supplications and left necessary instructions to officials.
Abhaya Razamuni Buddha Image was built in the precinct of Buddha Park near Pankwe Village, 15 miles southeast of Kengtung, with the aim of forging peace and stability in Shan State (East), strengthening Theravada Buddhism and contributing to regional development through visits of local and foreign travellers. Led by Wasipeik Sayadaw, Thatta Thattaha Maha Bodhi Pagoda was built with contributions of well-wishers and residents headed by the Senior General for local and foreign travellers and pilgrims to pay homage to a replica of Thatta Thattaha Maha Bodhi Pagoda from Bodh Gaya of India in the region. Currently, efforts are being made to propagate the Sasana in Shan State (East) and the Kengtung region. — MNA/TTA
