Merits shared for the chamber of second largest bell of Myanmar

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sprinkles scented water on the bell cast.

The Senior General and party visit the e-library in the archive of the Shwetaungsar Pagoda.

Nay Pyi Taw March 2

Neikbu-tayawtha great bell cast at Shwetaungsar Pagoda in Dawei, Tanintharyi region has the same size and shape of the bell cast by King Thayawady at Shwedagon Pagoda. It is the second largest bell cast after World War II in Myanmar. Ceremony to share merits for erecting the chamber of Mahawizaya Kemathitala Neikbu-tayawtha great bell marking the 250th anniversary of Shwetaungsar Pagoda was held at Dhammayon at the eastern archway of Lawkamarazein in Buddha Image.

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla offered rice in the Emerald Almsbowl, fruits, flowers and water to Buddha Image at Lawkamarazein Buddha Image. After signing in the visitors’ book the Senior General paid homage to the Shwetaungsar Pagoda and Buddha Image in Yahanda ordination hall.

Later, the Senior General, Chief Minister of Tanintharyi region U Myat Ko and Patron of Pagoda Board of Trustees U Ohn Khaing formally opened the chamber, sprinkled scented water on it and rang it.

After sprinkling scented water on the commemorative plaque, the Senior General and wife posted for documentary photo together with members of Pagoda Board of Trustees.

The merit sharing ceremony was held at the Dhammayon. Members of the Sangha led by Sayardaw of Pakokku monastery Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Aggavansa, nuns,the Senior General and wife, the chief minister, senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, region parliament speaker, commander of Coastal Region Command, MPs, region cabinet members, departmental personnel, towns elders, donors, guests and local people attended the ceremony. The congregation received the Nine Precepts from the Sayardaw of Pakokku monastery.

Members of the Sangha recited parittas, the donors led by the Senior General and wife presented offertories to monks and nuns. Patron of Zeyawady monastery Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Suriya delivered a sermon, and merits gained were shared. Members of the Sangha were served with day meal.

As a monument to be kept at the pagoda, the casting of Mahawizaya Kemathitala Neikbu-tayawtha great bell weighing 11,777 viss began at Tampawady in Mandalay on 20 March last year with the cash donations by Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) families. The bell was donated and kept at the southeast corner of the pagoda platform on 4 June. As the construction of a chamber for the bell has completed, pilgrims will have the chance to pay homage to the pagoda as well as the bronze bell.

After the ceremony, the Senior General and party visited the e-library in the archive of the Shwetaungsar Pagoda. Giving an instruction to officials concerned, the Senior General said the historical books are valuable but the writings in those books are more valuable, stressing the need for systematic keeping of the original works and making them copies for public study and programming them in the e-library. Ancient scripts, records, religious books and other books of aesthetic value are available at the e-library.

The Myawady Daily