Myanmar President U Thein Sien with a child at Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya on Thursday. Picture by Suman

Gaya, Oct. 13: On his first visit to Bodhgaya, Myanmar President U. Thein Sien today offered special prayers under the sacred Bodhi tree on the premises of world heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara this morning.

Accompanied by his wife, Daw Khin Khin Win, and other members of the 63-member delegation, Sien took part in the special prayers from 5am to 7am today held under the Bodhi tree. Chief priest of the Mahavihara Bhikkhu Chalinda and chief monk of the Burmese Vihar U. Nyaninda led the President to offer prayers.

The President was impressed by the hospitality shown by the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) to his delegation was evident from his remark in the visitors’ register —

“It gives me great pleasure to have this unique opportunity to pay homage to the sacred Bodhi tree under which the Lord Buddha attained the supreme enlightenment. It is also a noble privilege to do meditation under the sacred Bodhi tree. As a faithful follower of the Lord Buddha, I am very pleased to visit Bodhgaya during my historic trip to India.”

BTMC member secretary Nangzey Dorjee presented a replica of the Mahavihara and the BTMC magazine Prajna to the President and a bronze statue of Lord Buddha to his wife. The President then visited the Burmese Vihar (the monastery of Myanmar in Bodhgaya), where he offered civara (robe) for the monks.

Meanwhile, a 17-member delegation, led by Mai Thi Hanh, wife of Vietnam President Truong Tansanh, also visited Bodhgaya today.