Details
Festival Name
The Kasone festival of pouring water at the sacred banyan or the Bo tree
Month
May
Time
At dawn on the full moon day of Kasone
In the month of Kason (in May), Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. During this month, the Bo tree where Lord Budda enlighted were dried due to scorching weather in the summer. In being so, with the aim of keeping the Bo tree alive, Buddhists pour water at Bo tree to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and the death of Buddha. With this purpose, the Board of Trustees at The Shwedagon Pagoda, Volunteer groups and staff members at Shwedagon Pagoda celebrate the festival before sunrise by offering alms, flowers, water, fruit, candles and incense to the pagoda at Visitors’ pavilion. With the lead of the Board of Trustees, volunteers, and individuals dressed as Sakra, Brahma, deities, Naga (mythical serpent), and Garuda (the mythical king of birds), the procession begins. Participants carry flower vases for religious offerings and small Sasana flags. The groups include the conch shell group, the triangular brass gong group, the gong group, the flower bowl group, the Sasana flag holders, and the signboard group. Starting from the Ancient pavilion assembly area, the procession circle round a clockwise direction and gathers at the Southern Gate, where the Kasone festival is celebrated.
At 7 a.m., Ovadacariya Sayadaw was invited to conduct the Buddha Bisaka Mingala Anekaza for the banyan tree. Following this, pilgrims and personnel and the board of Trustee observed the Nine Precepts from Ovadacariya Sayadaw and made donations. They then participated in a water-pouring ceremony for the banyan tree, marking the conclusion of the first session of the ceremony.
In the second session of the ceremony, individuals dressed as Sakra, Brahma, deities, Naga (mythical serpent), and Garuda (the mythical king of birds) positioned themselves on the four sides of the Bo tree. Yogi, public service personnel, and sundry task groups recited Pali mantras and verses. Following this, they poured water on the Banyan tree, celebrating the end of the ceremony. After the formal procession at Tuesday Corner, pilgrims, with the assistance of sundry task groups and public service personnel, poured water on the five Bo trees grown on the platform or flat ground around the pagoda from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..
At 7 a.m., Ovadacariya Sayadaw was invited to conduct the Buddha Bisaka Mingala Anekaza for the banyan tree. Following this, pilgrims and personnel and the board of Trustee observed the Nine Precepts from Ovadacariya Sayadaw and made donations. They then participated in a water-pouring ceremony for the banyan tree, marking the conclusion of the first session of the ceremony.
In the second session of the ceremony, individuals dressed as Sakra, Brahma, deities, Naga (mythical serpent), and Garuda (the mythical king of birds) positioned themselves on the four sides of the Bo tree. Yogi, public service personnel, and sundry task groups recited Pali mantras and verses. Following this, they poured water on the Banyan tree, celebrating the end of the ceremony. After the formal procession at Tuesday Corner, pilgrims, with the assistance of sundry task groups and public service personnel, poured water on the five Bo trees grown on the platform or flat ground around the pagoda from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..