People celebrate Buddha Day nationwide

People celebrated Buddha Day, which falls on the full moon day of Kason, by pouring water on Bodhi trees at the pagodas nationwide in Myanmar yesterday.

Buddhists observed the Eight Precepts, meditated and performed meritorious deeds on this day of great religious significance. The Kason festival of pouring water on Bodhi trees is among the 12 festivals held in their respective months.

The full moon of Kason is significant, because it was on this day that Gautama Buddha received His prophecy from Lord Buddha Dipankara. He was also born on this day, attained Enlightenment and entered Nirvana.

On this auspicious day, people pour water on the Bodhi tree, the same species of Bodhi tree in Gaya, India, under which He gained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago.

The 35th anniversary of Kason Festival was held at Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon yesterday with the pouring of water on the Bo trees. Members of the Sangha, members of the pagoda board of trustees and religious associations poured water on the Maha Bodhi tree, while reciting religious verses to celebrate Buddha Day.

10th Kason Watering Ceremony held at Uppasanti Pagoda

The 10th Kason Watering Ceremony of Uppasanti Pagoda was celebrated at its compound in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

Present at the ceremony were Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman Dr. Myo Aung and wife, members of the Nay Pyi Taw Council and Nay Pyi Taw Development Committee, Dhamma Satkyar chant groups and officials. During the ceremony, the wife of Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman and officials watered the object stupas of Bo Trees No (1), (2) and (3) at the Uppasanti Pagoda compound. The No (1) Bo Tree was planted on 8th waning of Tazaungmone in the 1368 Myanmar Era (ME), and the No (2) Bo Tree was cultivated on 14th waxing of Kason in the 1372 ME, while the No (3) Bo Tree was planted on 13th waning of Tazaungmone in the 1373 Myanmar Era.

On the full moon day of Kason in the 1380 ME, the Uppasanti Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw was crowded with Buddhist devotees. Yi Yi Myint, MNA

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar