Buddha Pujaniya festival of Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda under preparations

Photo shows gilt footprint of Lord Buddha at Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda

Pilgrims take a bath at Mann Creek

( Kyaw Swa - Yadanarbon )

Arrangements are being made for holding this year’s Buddha Pujaniya festival of Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda. On the full moon day which falls during the Buddha Pujaniya festival, about 400,000 pilgrims visit and pay homage to the pagoda, according to the Board of Trustees of Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda.

The Buddha Pujaniya of the pagoda is organized from 5th Waxing of Tabodwe, Myanmar Era to the New Year Day annually. This year, the festival will last from 13 February to 17 April.

The pagoda board of trustees started preparations on 3 December 2015 for holding the festival with allotment of shops in front of the Lower Settawya (footprint of the Lord Buddha) and along the bank of Mann Creek. They have plans to complete land preparations, land allotment and construction of shops, proper flow of water in Mann Creek, and construction of bath places on the bank of the creek in January, according to the pagoda board of trustees.

It was reported that floral-designed structures of the lower Settawya was flooded due to heavy rains in last July. Although the floods caused some damage to the structures, officials could repair them in time. Water course of the creek is being maintained with the use of heavy machinery. Moreover, small bridges have been laid on the creeks.

The pagoda board of trustees has spent K1.2 million on use of two backhoes, two bulldozers and one tractor so as to complete preparatory tasks for the festival in time. Officials will allot 420 shops, 415 lodges and 69 sheds for departmental management.

The terrace of Moksoetaung Pagoda, upstream of the Upper Settawya, is being expanded to a 20 square feet area for more convenience of public visits. As such, the terrace will admit larger number of pilgrims this year than the past.

The board of trustees is building an arch at the 3rd-Mile junction leading to the pagoda and Mann Shwesettaw Sasana Beikman by spending K900 million. Therefore, members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee can stay at the Sasana Beikman conveniently during the Buddha Pujaniya.

Pilgrims and devotees across the nation eagerly visit the pagoda and festival yearly. Villagers go to the pagoda by bullock-cart. Vendors from four corners sell domestic products at the festival.

In fact, Mann Shwesettaw festival held in the jungle, a significant one in Myanmar, attracts pilgrims, merchants, picnickers, vendors and local people. According to the historical records, genuine footprints of the Lord Buddha are located at the Mann Settawya Pagoda, Minbu (Sagu) Township, Magway Region.

The Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda, enshrined with the footprints of the Lord Buddha, is a heritage of Myanmar. As the festival of the pagoda is held for many days, it is called Anyar region festival. Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda is 33 miles from Minbu which is 330 miles distance from Yangon and 280 miles from Mandalay. The road from 3rd-Mile junction to the pagoda can be used from January to April. In the remaining period, pilgrims may visit the pagoda along an 8-mile road section from Padaung Village.

The visitors may also pay homage to Kyaungdawya Pagoda (ancient Pyu region), ancient pagodas and stupas in Bagan-Nyaung U, Mount Popa, and Myathalun Pagoda in Magway. In addition, the visitors from Myathalun Pagoda in Magway may continue their trips to Kalaw, Inlay and Taunggyi through Natmauk- Ywamon-Pyawbwe road. Furthermore, they may wonder Pyay, Thandwe (Ngapali) and Pathein (Chaungtha) through Pathein-Monywa highway.

At present, pilgrims make a day trip to Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda. During the festival, visitors may purchase souvenirs and other domestic products for their homes. On Akya Day of Myanmar Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival, pilgrims and local residents offer rice to 108 members of the Sangha at the pagoda on a grand scale.

On the Myanmar New Year Day, the footprints of the Lord Buddha are placed under a glass cover by senior venerable monks and officials of the pagoda board of trustees.

According to the officials, accommodation will be given not only to local pilgrims but to the tourists.

ရတနာပံုေန႔စဥ္ ၊ စာ(၁၃)

Channel Weekly Sport ( Vol-3, No-45 )

Channel Weekly Sport ( Vol-3, No-45 )

Download Link = Mediafire

400 hot-air balloons to take part in Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Festival

Yangon November 6

The hot-air balloon festival will be held in Shan State’s capital Taunggyi on November 18-26 and 400 hot-air balloons will take part in the festival, according to the organizing committee.

This year’s festival marks its 64th anniversary and the competition period has extended by one day this year. The festival will be held daily on November 18-26 between 12 pm and 3 am.

Eighty-four Nya Mee Gyi hotair balloons, 37 Sein Naban hot-air balloons, 136 two-legged creature shape hot-air balloons, 92 four-legged creature shape hot-air balloons, and 51 group hot-air balloons, totaling 400 hot-air balloons will participate in the festival.

In Nya Mee Gyi hot-air balloon competition, the first prize will be six million kyat, the second prize, 4.5 million kyat, the third prize, 4 million kyat, the fourth prize, 3.5 million kyat and the fifth prize, 2.5 million kyat and 500,000 kyat each for sixth to tenth prizes.

In Sein Naban hot-air balloon competition, the first prize will be 2.5 million kyat, the second prize, two million kyat, the third prize, 1.8 million kyat, the fourth prize, 1.5 million kyat and the fifth prize 1 million kyat.

The first prize will be 250,000 kyat for the two-legged creature shape hot-air balloon competition, 300,000 kyat for the four-legged creature shape hot-air balloon competition and 500,000 for group competition. Consolation prizes will also be awarded for the competitions, said the organizing committee.

Taunggyi Hot-Air Balloon Festival is the largest hot-air balloon festival in Myanmar, attracting enthusiasts from four corners of the country as well as foreigners with all the hotel rooms usually fully booked before the festival.

The Myawady Daily, Page (19)

#Themyawadydaily

Preparations going on for Pyin Oo Lwin flower festival

Yangon October 29

Kandawgyi, the landmark park in floral town of Pyin Oo Lwin, will host the annual flower festival of the town in December, said the lake conservation team.

Preparations, such as selecting of flower species for display and nurturing of them, are being made for the 10th edition of December festival, said Ko Wai Myo Aung, manager of the lake conservation team.

“We have no plan to hold any special event in Kandawgyi in Tazaungdaing (November) because there will be Pyi Chit Pagoda Festival during that time. There will only be normal events in the park as the visitors are more interested in lighting festival,” said Ko Wai Myo Aung.

The flower festival will be held from the second to the last week of December with music festival scheduled on December 25-26. “Usually, we plan the flower festival not to coincide with Pyi Chit pagoda festival. So, we are just making preparations for the December festival,” said Ko Wai Myo Aung.

The annual festival has been held since 2005 and draws enthusiasts not only from surrounding areas but from four corners of the country.

The Myawady Daily, Page(19)

#Themyawadydaily

Festival Of Lights ( Thadingyut )

Festival Of Lights ( Thadingyut )

<< Khin Myo Chit >>

Thadingyut, the seventh month of the Mayanmar calendar, marks the end of lent. Monsoon is on the way out and the skies are clearing. Sunny days are here to stay.

The austerity, sobriety and restraint of the lenten season together with the damp murky gloom of the monsoon all these have given way to fun and festivities. With the ban on weddings lifted, there is the scent of eugenia leaves and lilies in the air. The soft breeze whispers the music of flutes and harps.

The tree day lights festival, namely the day before the full moon, the full moon day and the day after, will be those of music, dances and fun. Illuminations are there to celebrate the anniversary of the Buddha’s return from the celestial abode where he had spent the lent teaching the gods above His Law.

Among the gods was the one who was the mother of the Buddha reborn there. It was on the full moon day of Thadingyut month that the Buddha descended to the abode of humans. He and His disciples were attended by a heavenly host of celestials who created a pathway of stars. Humans on earth illuminated the homes and streets to welcome the Buddha and His disciples.

Although the anniversary is on the full moon day, the Myanmar way of celebrating such an event is to have a festival on the eve, to welcome the day and the actual day and then the day after to give a grand send-off. So the three festival days instead of one. The more the merrier.

Streets, houses and public buildings are illuminated and festooned with coloured electric bulbs. One feature of the festival in small towns and villages is see-mee lighting; small earthen bowls are filled with sessamum oil and a piece of cotton is soaked in each bowl and Lighted.

These lighted oil bowls are placed on the terraces of pagodas. The lights last longer than candles and the little tongues of flame quivering in the breeze lent and uncanny beauty to the scene steeped in silvery moonlight. Such lights are sometimes seen on the pagodas in Yangon city.

The scene of the Buddha’s descent from the celestial regions is often recreated in the streets or pagoda precincts, all done up in paper mache and poster paintings and of course, lights. The festival is often called the Tawadaintha feast: Tawadaintha, being the name of the celestial abode where the Buddha spent the lenten season.

Thadingyut is not only a season of festivals and rejoicings, but also a time for remembering those to whom we owe respect and gratitude. The Buddha’s visit to the celestial regions was to teach the great Truth he had found through rigorous striving for many many lives, to his own mother. It was a gesture of gratitude, and example for all to follow. The Buddha made the greatest gift of all, namely the gift of Dhamma(the Law) that would deliver her from suffering once and for all.

According to the Buddhist teaching, there are Five Revered Ones, namely the Buddha, His Law, His Order of Monks, Parents and Teachers. During the Thadingyut season Myanmar Buddhists go round paying respects to parents, teachers, elderly relatives and friends.

It is quite usual for the senior citizens in the street or residential quarter to receive gifts and respects from the younger people of the community. Sometimes it is an organized affair, but this does not prevent them from going to older people individually to pay respects. This way, it is more intimate and pleasant.

On the third day of the festival, people go round paying calls. It is ‘‘open house’’for many homes. Older people have light refreshments ready for the young visitors.They give away sweets and small change to children.Young people bring small gifts like candles, fruits and cakes, but it is not compulsory. Paying respects is accomplished by the act of kadaw,genuflection.

The word kadaw is an everyday expression in Mynamar life.When you have to say something indelicate or impolite, you say it with the word kadaw; the same word is used as an apology for any transgression like, bumping into someone or stepping on another’s feet.On such occasions the word is synonymous with ‘‘sorry’’, but with a deeper feeling.

When you have the necessity to touch someone’s hair, like brushing away a wisp of dust, you do not do so without first saying kadaw, even though the person concerned may not be an older person.

The custom of doing the act of kadaw is rooted in the Buddhist acceptance of the samsara, the round of rebirths, being born and reborn; all beings, humans and others go round the cycle, meeting one another in amicable or hostile relationships. Consequently, among people meeting one another in this present existence there would be love and kindness as there would be hate and enmity as well. There might be wrongful actions committed consciously or unwittingly to one another throughout the unending journey of samsara.

When Buddhists do the act of kadaw to anyone, their parents, teachers or elders, they not only pay respects as a gesture of gratitude,but they also ask forgiveness for any wrongful action they might have done in this life and many many lives before.

The elders, even as they accept the kadaw from young people, ask forgiveness in their turn for any wrongful action or hurt they themselves might have been guilty of. This reciprocal action is called the ‘‘erasing of the slate’’, which is the same as ‘‘burying the hatchet’’. After this act of ‘‘erasing the slate’’, friends and kinsmen can start with a ‘‘clean slate’’ with nothing but love and kindness.

Paying respects or kadaw ceremonies are organized and held in schools. Paying respects to teachers, one of the Five Revered Ones, is still practised. Buddhist parables illustrate the good influence of teachers on their students, even though the latter might have become ruling kings.

Once, a short time after the demise of the Buddha, the kings of India assembled to claim their share of the Buddha’s relics. It was a goodly company of crowned heads, each attended by the Four Elements of War, namely, infantry, cavalry, chariots and war elephants. Swords and spears and shields burned in the sunlight as the caparisoned steeds and elephants dug their heels impatiently, as they waited for action.

Then came the dispute over who should get how much of the relics. Tempers rose and angry voices rang through the air and the steel clanged as the warriors made ready their weapons. 

Horses neighed and reared, elephants let forth a fearful trumpeting. A havoc of blood and destruction was imminent .

At that crucial moment , an authoritative voice rang out above the din: “Silence, all of you!” The kings turned their heads towards the voice they knew so well, the voice that had dared to command them. There stood Dona the brahman, who was their teacher, who had taught them the princely arts, in their student days.

There was silence, as the king bowed down to the one who had been their teacher. Without so much as a word of dissent, the kings accepted their share of the relics handed out by Dona the brahman, and went away in peace.

So this is the spirit of Thadingyut season.... paying respects to those to whom respect is due and remembering those to whom we owe gratitude 

The Myawady Daily, Page(18)

#Themyawadydaily

Reminiscences of Thadingyut

Reminiscences of Thadingyut

Soon the black monsoon clouds will clear and the sky will once again be blue. People all over Myanmar will celebrate the end of the Buddhist Lent with many festivities.

Towns and villages all over the country will be gaily decorated with lights: electrical bulbs in the cities but with traditional candles and oil lamps in the outlying villages.

The occasion, according to the Buddhist tradition is to welcome Lord Buddha back to the Abode of Humans after His sojourn in the Abode of the Celestials Beings during the Lent.

According to our beliefs, Lord Buddha descended back to the Abode of the Humans by a golden stairs case, with other Celestials fl anking him on both sides, the silver and ruby staircases.

And humans on earth welcome Him with joy.

There will be street performances at many places during the evening; food stalls selling local delicacies as well as other stalls offering a variety of goods, both locally manufactured or even imported. Whole streets will be lighted up and people jostle to get the best standing place to see their favourite entertainment personalities perform.

During daytime, however, most pagodas and monasteries are crowded with devotees offering food to the monks and listening to the Holy Sermons on this auspicious day.

But for the children it is the most important time. They get to go around to their grandparents or other seniors in their family with trays of presents and pay respect to them. In return they are given back pocket money by the elder, which makes them immensely happy.

However, time flies. The days when we rush to our grandparents to pay our respects and receive pocket money had gone by, never to return. Now we wait to receive and enjoy the respects given to us by our grandchildren. Za Yar (old age) had finally caught up with us.

This year’s Thadingyut falls on 28 October.

ံHpone Thant

The Myawady Daily, Page(18)

#Themyawadydaily

Kyaukse Elephant Dancing Festival: A festival began in King Anawrahta Era

< Aung Myint Myat >

Kyaukse Elephant Dancing Festival, which is annually held in Kyaukse Township, Mandalay Region, is drawing near, activities of the elephant dancing teams can be seen these days. The event features the dancing of elephant figures which are skillfully made of bamboo and papers, and adorably decorated by local craftsmen. It is a marvellous performance of two men in harmony to dance in rhythm. Men take their places inside the figure and dance around the town to the accompaniment of Dobat and Drums.The elephant dancers circle three times at the foot of the hill topay homage to the Shwe-tha-lyaung Pagoda. It is a dance that requires precise rhythm and timing in order for the elephant dancers to maintain harmony inside the elephant figure. Annually, people from far and near come to visit Kyaukse and watch the elephant dance.

It is a lovely tradition in Kyaukse where the elephant dancing teams stroll around the township by performing elephant dances while collecting donations to cover the cost of elephant dancing festival and pagoda sundry matters. Locals generously donate cash as well as foodstuffs to the elephant dancing teams when they arrive in front of their houses. This year, elephant dancing festival will take place on October 27 and, currently, the elephant dancing teams are in their training process. Also, festival holding committee is preparing guidelines, principles and awards for the festival.

Although traditional elephant dancing teams only competed in the Kyaukse Elephant Dancing Festival a long time ago, child elephant dancing teams can also be seen in the festival nowadays. Similarly, sequin decorated elephant competitions also attract fans in the tournament. Festival holding committee used to give the highest amount of money as award to the sequin decorated elephant teams among the elephant teams because sequin decoration demands a large amount of money.

However, the festival holding committee planned to give the highest amount as award to the traditional elephant dancing teams instead of presenting it to sequin decorated elephant teams as a means of preserving the traditional customs of the festival. For this year’s festival, the committee will give awards to the elephant teams as follows.

The first prize for the child competition is 600,000 kyat, the second 400,000 kyat and the third 200,000 kyat and the first prize for the traditional elephant dancing is one million kyat, the second 800,000 kyat and the third 600,000 kyat. The first prize for sequin decorated elephant competition is 800,000 kyat, the second 600,000 kyat and the third 400,000 kyat. The organizing committee for the festival will give 500,000 kyat for traditional elephant dancing special prize winner and the Kanbawza Bank, also 500,000 kyat, totaling one million kyat.

The festival is also steeped in history. King Anawrahta (1015- 1078) is one of Myanmar’s most famous rulers and is considered the father of the Myanmar nation. He is also the founder of Kyaukse. King Anawrahta obtained several Buddhist relics on a trip to China; upon his return to Myanmar, he decided to build a pagoda to house the precious relics. He strapped the relics to the back of his elephant and told the elephant to choose a suitable spot for the new pagoda. The elephant walked straight to the hill east of Kyaukse and knelt.At this spot, the King built Shwe-tha-lyaung Pagoda, which is still standing there today. Elephant donating ceremony is held annually till now on the full moon day of Thadingyut (Lighting Festival) in Kyaukse in expressing the gratitude to King Anawrahta and his elephant. Together with elephant donating ceremony, elephants dancing competitions are held annually. Another interesting part of the festival is a local belief in Kyaukse that elephants dancing competitions can bring about good luck accompanied by a temperate climate and a bumper harvest for regional joy and prosperity.

The Myawady Daily, Page(18)

#Themyawadydaily

Twenty teams to take part in Kyaukse’s famous elephant dancing festival

Yangon 20-10-2015

A total of 20 teams will take part in Kyaukse’s most famous festival, the annual elephant dancing competition held to mark the Thadingyut or Lighting Festival.

The event, unique to Kyaukse in Mandalay Region, features the dancing of elephants which are skilfully made of bamboo and papers and adorably decorated by local craftsmen.

This year’s competition will take place on October 27 which is 14 Waxing of Thadingyut on Myanmar calendar. The annual festival is held in the month of Thadingyut on Myanmar calendar, in which Myanmar people pay respects to their parents, seniors, and elderly persons as a token of their gratitude toward them.

This year, four child elephant dancing teams and 11 men’s traditional elephant dancing teams and five men’s decorated elephant dancing teams will join the event.

The first prize for the child competition is 600,000 kyat, the second 400,000 kyat and the third 200,000 kyat and the first prize for traditional elephant dancing is 1 million kyat, the second 800,000 kyat and the third 600,000 kyat. The first prize for the decorated elephant dancing is 800,000 kyat, the second 600,000 kyat and the third 400,000 kyat.

The organizing committee for the festival will give 500,000 kyat for traditional elephant dancing special prize winner and the Kanbawza Bank, also 500,000 kyat, totalling one million kyat.

The festival dates back to the time of King Anawrahta, the founder of first Myanmar Empire and has celebrated more than 980 anniversaries now. There is a traditional belief that the elephant dancing can bring about temperate climate and bumper harvest for local people. (447)

The Myawady Daily, Page(19)

#Themyawadydaily