Venerable Sayadaws and lay devotees must work together to promote the flourishing and worldwide propagation of Buddhism.

The grand ceremony commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Successful Convocation of the Sixth Buddhist Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was held at the Maha Pasana Cave on the Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Hill in Yangon yesterday morning, and with reverence by President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla in attendance.

The President unveiled the stone archive inscription and sprinkled scented water on it together with his wife.

Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Thanlyin Minkyaung Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivamsa lit an oil lamp to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council.

Members of the Sangha, the President and attendees watched a documentary video clip on the Sixth Buddhist Council.

The Chairman Sayadaw delivered a Saraniya Katha while State Ovadacariya Shwegyin Nikaya Ganadhipati 16th Sangharaja of Shwegyin Nikaya Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Aggamaha Saddhammajotika Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara administered Sammodaniya Katha.

As part of honouring the venerable Sayadaws at the Sixth Buddhist Council, Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandagarika Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vayaminda Bhivamsa and Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandagarika Sayadaw Bhaddanta Paññvamsa Bhivamsa held a question-and-answer session for the Vinaya Pitaka, and members of the Sangha recited it.

President U Min Aung Hlaing spoke about religious affairs, saying that the first Buddhist Council was held over three months after the Parinibbana of the Lond Buddha; 100 years after the Parinibbana of the Lord Buddha, the Second Buddhist Council was held at the Valikārāma monastery in the city of Vesali, India, with 700 Arahats led by the Venerable Mahāyasa Thera. Furthermore, 235 years after the Buddha’s Parinibbana, the Third Buddhist Council was convened in the city of Pataliputta, India, with 1,000 Arahats led by the Venerable Mahāmoggaliputta Tissa Thera. In addition, 450 years after the Parinibbana of the Buddha, the Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Sri Lanka at the Aloka Cave in the Matula-Malaya region, where 500 Arahats led by the Venerable Mahādhammarakkhita Thera compiled the teachings into written form on palm leaves.

In 2415 Religious Era and 1218 Myanmar Era, a total of 2,400 members of the Sangha led by Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jagara Bhivamsa of Dekkhinayama Phayagyi Monastery held the fifth Buddhist Council at the ground royal hall of Mandalay Royal Palace with the assistance of King Mindon. They then put the Pitakat as a stone inscription. Although this Council was conducted approximately 2,000 years later, it is a matter of pride and joy for Myanmar.

The Sixth Buddhist Council was held with the participation of 2,500 members of the Sangha led by Nyaungyan Sayadaw of Mogaung Monastery from Mandalay from the full moon of Kason in 2498 RE and 1316 ME to the full moon of Kason in 2500 RE and 1318 ME. And it turns 70 years old.

Kaba Aye Hill, where the sixth Buddhist Council was convened, was located on 168.157 acres of land in Yeku Ywama Ward of Thamaing Township, Insein District, in the past. Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Pagoda was built on the land in 1950, and Maha Pasana Cave, four halls, a three-storey refectory, the Maha ordination hall, the Pitaka press and the Buddha Sasana Sangha Hospital in 1953. Moreover, the Pitakat Chamber was constructed there in 1954.

After conducting the preparations, the gala opening ceremony of the Sixth Buddhist Council was held three days from 18 to 20 May 1954. Nyaungyan Sayadaw served as the Chairman of the Sangha Maha Nayaka of the Working Committee, and Bagaya Sayadaw as the Secretary. The Sixth Buddhist Council was organized by President Dr U Ba Oo and sponsored by Sir U Thwin, Chair of the State Buddhist Sasana Organization.

The ceremony was attended by President Dr U Ba Oo, Prime Minister U Nu, Attorney-General U Chan Tun, Minister for National Planning and Religious Affairs U Win, Chair Sir U Thwin of the State Buddhist Sasana Organization and Vice-Chair U Theim Maung, who supplicated religious affairs and read the papers of appreciation.

In addition, it is also known with great joy that kings, prime ministers, ministers, and government representatives, as well as individual delegates and Buddhist representatives from foreign countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, India, Nepal, Japan, and the United Kingdom, along with senior monastic leaders from various monastic orders, sent congratulatory messages, attended the ceremony, and participated in the proceedings of the Buddhist Council.

The Buddhist Council editting the Buddhist Tipitaka scriptures lasted for two years, from the first session of coordination, scrutiny, and approval in 1954 to the fifth in 1965.

These Pali texts were edited and approved in the five sessions, and Atthakatha treatises in the four sessions from 1956 to 1959, and Tika treatises from 1960 to 1962, along with the Buddhist Council.

As such, the Maha Pasana Cave and ordination hall where the Sixth Buddhist Council was held on a grand scale, four great halls such as Uttarakuru, the Maha ordination hall, the three-storey refectory, the Pitakat press, the Pitakat chamber, the Paha Nayaka Hall, and the Wizayamingala Dhamma Thinbin Hall were renovated in their original state with expanded construction before holding the ceremony to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council.

The Sixth Buddhist Council texts were compiled under the guidance of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Sayadaws. The group led by the Most Venerable Shwethuwun Sayadaw Bhaddanta Saddhiya prepared the computer-based edition of the Tipiṭaka in Pali, while another group led by the Rector of the International Theravāda Buddhist Missionary University in Yangon, the Most Venerable Dr Bhaddanta Silanandā Bhivaṃsa, prepared the Tipiṭaka in Pali and Roman script versions. These texts were then inscribed and carved on stone and dedicated within the precinct of the Maravijaya Buddha Park in Nay Pyi Taw. During this process, the Vinaya Piṭaka, Suttanta Piṭaka, and Abhidhamma Piṭaka were enshrined in the form of 720 stone stupas, using Myanmar script, Pali, and Roman script. Each stupa contains inscriptions on both sides – one side in Myanmar script Pali and the other in Roman script Pali – resulting in a total of 1,440 engraved stone inscription panels.

In addition, the efforts made to publish the stone inscriptions in internationally standardized book form, as well as to digitize and preserve them in mobile tablets, represent an additional historic record of the successful convening of Myanmar’s Fifth and Sixth Buddhist Councils.

If members of the Sangha and lay devotees work together in harmony, it is certain that the noble Theravāda Buddhist Sāsana will remain pure, stable, and widely propagated for as long as the world exists, and will undoubtedly flourish and spread across all countries of the world.

Sayadaws read out the messages sent by Masoeyein Taikthit of Mahaaungmyay Township in Mandalay, Maha Gandayon Monastery of Amarapura Township and Anu Nayaka Bhaddanta Kotapitiye Rahul Maha Thera of Sri Lanka.

The President and his wife donated offerings to the Chairman Thanlyin Minkyaung Sayadaw.

Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Khin Yi and his wife donated alms to Masoeyein Taikthit Sayadaw, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo and his wife, to the Sayadaw of MyoU Monastery in Tatkon, Union ministers and their wives, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, and to members of the Sangha.

Secretary of SSMNC Masoeyein Taikthit Sayadaw Aggamaha Pandita Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Bhaddanta Vasettha Bhivamsa delivered a sermon, and the congregation shared the merits gained.

The President unveiled the exhibition to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council.

The Union Minister for Religious Affairs presented a commemorative gift to the President.

The President, his wife and attendees visited the exhibition, where the President asked about something he wanted to know.

Also, present at the ceremony were Sangharaja Sayadaws from foreign countries and venerable Sayadaws, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker U Aung Lin Dwe and his wife, the Yangon Region Chief minister and his wife, ambassadors from international embassies to Myanmar, military attaches and officials, and deputy ministers. — MNA/TTA

Key highlights from the President’s supplication at the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council

1. Efforts were made to publish the stone inscriptions in internationally standardized book form, as well as to digitize and preserve them in mobile tablets, which represent an additional historic record of the successful convening of Myanmar’s Fifth and Sixth Buddhist Councils.
2. The texts of the Tri Pitakat treatises were then inscribed and carved on stone and dedicated within the precinct of the Maravijaya Buddha Park in Nay Pyi Taw.

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar

Japanese government and people donated medical supplies and equipment to Myanmar yesterday in the fight against COVID-19 disease.

The donation ceremony took place at the National Health Laboratory in Yangon yesterday.

Mr Takimi Kazuyuki, Counsellor (Head of Economic and Development Assistance) of Embassy of Japan, handed over medical equipment for COVID-19 response, procured by Japan in collaboration with UNOPS to the Ministry of Health and Sports.

The items of the second donation under this project were received by Deputy Director-General of the National Health Laboratory Prof. Dr Htay Htay Tin, and will be used at the Public Health laboratories and public hospitals.

The first donation was made October last year, and included PCR testing kits, reagents such as RNA extraction kits and molecular biological grade ethanol as well as power supply units and generators for ICU facilities to the the National Health Laboratory.

The Government of Japan will continue to procure and hand over medical equipment to the Government of Myanmar under this grant project, including ambulances, additional PCR testing kits, mobile X ray machines, medical monitors, and pulse oximeters, according to the report of Japanese embassy in Yangon.

MNA

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

DEPUTY Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor U Min Lwin addressed a virtual event held yesterday to mark the conclusion of the First Aid for All Training Project (Phase II), targeting youths and women from townships in Rakhine State.

In his remarks, the Deputy Minister said that the art of first aid is indeed noble, and by serving first aid to those who are suffering from injuries, loss of lives could be prevented. He noted that these trainings are being held for the benefit of youths and women from Rakhine State, and that although all was set to commence the project since August of last year, due to the situation of COVID-19, the project’s Phase I trainings could be virtually held only in December. He said that Phase II trainings commenced on January 6 of this year and that regardless of being an online course, due to qualified instructors and the interest shown by trainees, the trainings were a great success.

He expressed his trust that those who have completed this training will be of a benefit to their wards, villages, communities, and their state through the first aid education that they have gained urging them to share with their communities whatever they have learnt. He said he believed that social harmony would be enhanced by promoting understanding and trust among youths. He pointed out that goodwill, loving-kindness, sympathy, and consideration for others, which are the fundamental principles of the Red Cross, are vital in the development of social harmony.

He revealed that plans are already underway to hold Phase III of the project to cover all remaining townships in Rakhine State, emphasizing that human injuries, caused by natural disasters, armed conflicts, and mines planted in Rakhine State and needing emergency care, can now be assisted through first aid courses learnt here.

He highlighted the fact that with the leadership of the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor, and in collaboration with Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and Center for Diversity and National Harmony (CDNH), plans are underway to implement Mine Risk Reduction Project, beginning in February of this year. He detailed that there will be four Mine Risk Education virtual trainings for youths and women from potential mine-risk townships in Rakhine State and that those who have completed these trainings would persist in knowledge dissemination for mine reduction awareness in their wards and villages, utilizing mine-risk educative handouts and posters.

He also thanked everyone who turned these trainings into a success.

Ms Christine Burgener, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, spoke words of honour at the event. Dr Maung Maung Myint, Chairperson of MRCS, and Dr Kyaw Yin Hlaing, Executive Director of CDNH, also added their commendations at the course completion.

Dr Aung Thurein, Director from the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor and First Aid for All Training Project In-charge, explained the objectives of the trainings and tasks being carried out in Rakhine State for the emergence of social harmony.

The closing ceremony was attended by Colonel Htein Lin (Retd), Advisor to the Office of the President, dignitaries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor, central executive committee members of the MRCS, resident representatives from International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), heads of UN agencies, instructors, and trainees, numbering over a hundred and fifty.

First Aid for All Training Project (Phase I) was implemented from December 6 to 23, 2020, and it was attended by 170 trainees from diverse social communities across Sittway, Pauktaw, Maungtaw, Buthidaung, Kyaukpyu, and Thandwe townships in Rakhine State. Phase II of the training project for 247 youths and women from various social communities across Manaung, Yanbye, An, Toungup, and Gwa townships was held from January 6 to 23.

The three-day virtual training for each township, coached by veteran instructors from MRCS, was attended by an average of 50 trainees.

The Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor, the MRCS, and the CDNH collaborated in organizing the First Aid for All Training Project.

MNA

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

THE 7th MNA relief flight organized by the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore landed at Yangon International Airport yesterday bringing back a total of 123 Myanmar nationals who were stranded in Singapore due to the suspension of commercial flights.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 14-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

To bring back the Myanmar seamen and citizens in accordance with the instructions from National-Level Central Committee on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working together with the relevant ministries, Myanmar embassies from respective countries, shipping companies and the relevant organizations.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

TAW Win Chan Thar Co., Ltd. has rented a three-storey vessel named Pyigyidagun No 3 from the Inland Water Transport for a long term and has been refurbishing the vessel to establish it as a floating centre at Botahtaung Jetty Bridge No 5 in Yangon within six months.

“Since we rented the Pyigyidagun No 3 three-storey vessel in November, we have been decorating it at a shipyard. Jetties are also being renovated,” said Inland Water Transport (Delta Area) Manager U Kyaw Htoo Aung. “The floating restaurant is a long-term lease from the department in order for the middle class to visit there. Construction is underway with the permission of the Port Authority at the Botahtaung Bridge No 5.”

Managing Director of Taw Win Chan Thar said, “We will implement this three-storey vessel to provide public recreation at a reasonable price. As an ethnic business person, we are preparing the vessel. Families will be able to stay there. The vessel is repaired by the department. Our company has been renovating the interior decoration for about two months. We are working hard to complete it early. The current plan is that we are allowed to open it as a bar and restaurant. If COVID-19 measures are lifted, we will be able to launch it within six months.”

In addition, since early January, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and the Union of Myanmar Travel Association have rented two cruise ships from the Inland Water Transport and have been operating the two ships as a pilot project in order that the general public can go on vacation on holidays.

Thant Zin Win

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

A total of 110 Myanmar citizens who were stranded in foreign countries– 64 from the United States, 10 from Panama and 36 from the Republic of Korea – because of the suspension of commercial flights returned home by relief flight yesterday.

The relief flight of Myanmar Airways International organized by Myanmar Embassy in Washington and Myanmar Embassy in Seoul repatriating the Myanmar nationals from Incheon International Airport in South Korea landed at the Yangon International Airport in the evening.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government provided them with proper medical tests and arranged 14-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Myanmar embassies in foreign countries and local ministries concerned to bring back citizens and seamen stranded abroad due to the suspension of international commercial flights, in accordance with the guidance of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

Until now a total of 11 relief flights were organized from the Incheon International Airport to repatriate the Myanmar citizens stranded in the United States.

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

#The _Global _New _Light _of _Myanmar

THE 35th relief flight of Myanmar National Airlines organized by the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore landed at Yangon International Airport, bringing back a total of 143 Myanmar seamen after they were stranded in Singapore due to the suspension of international flights, yesterday evening.

Another MNA relief flight organized by the Myanmar Embassy in Seoul and Myanmar Seamen’s Federation also brought back a total of 142 Myanmar seamen who were stranded abroad, yesterday evening. Among them, 87 people were from the Republic of Korea, 2 from the United States, 1 from Kenya, 5 from Indonesia, 8 from Spain, 1 from Bangladesh, 9 from Japan, 6 from Ecuador, 5 from Singapore, 9 from Egypt, 6 from France 1 from the Netherlands and 1 from Tanzania.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 14-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

To bring back the Myanmar citizens and Myanmar seamen who are stranded in foreign countries by relief flights and chartered flights in accordance with the instructions from National-Level Central Committee on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperated with the relevant ministries and Myanmar embassies from respective countries and shipping companies.

MNA 

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

THE newly renovated National Theatre (Yangon) could be inaugurated at the end of this year, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture’s virtual meeting yesterday.

The project commenced on 10 August 2019, and it has reached 52 per cent until 31 December 2020. Speaking at the meeting, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko said that the national theatre being upgraded with assistance from the People’s Republic of China covered its main building and audio, lighting, LED, 4K movie, air-conditioning, fire extinguishing and security systems.

He said that the theatre after upgraded would become an international standard one and extended gratitude to the People’s Republic of China on behalf of Myanmar government and people.

The National Theatre (Yangon) was constructed with assistance from the People’s Republic of China and completed in December 1990.

Deputy Minister U Kyi Min said that every country has the buildings that represent the nation, and the National Theatre (Yangon) was included in the buildings that define our nation Myanmar.

The Memorandum of Understanding on the renovation of the theatre was signed on 19 November 2017, he added.

The ministry’s permanent secretary who is incharge of the project Director-General U Tun Ohn and officials from the Beijing Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd presented the major renovation of the national theatre with the use of PowerPoint. The Union Minister said that the ministry would provide the assistance needed by the Beijing Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd on the project, saying the company to meet at the opening ceremony of the theatre in end2021 and wishing the company good health and happiness in the New Year.

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

A total of 413 Myanmar citizens who were stranded abroad – 142 from Malaysia, 146 from Singapore and 125 from the Republic of the Korea—because of the suspension of commercial flights returned home by relief flights yesterday.

The Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur organized the relief flight of Myanmar Airways International to repatriate 142 citizens from Malaysia, and the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore organized the relief flight of Myanmar National Airways to bring back 146 citizens home from Singapore.

The Myanmar Embassy in Seoul and the Crew Change Supporting Committee jointly organized the relief flight of Myanmar Airways International to repatriate 125 Myanmar seamen from ROK. The three flights landed at the Yangon International Airport yesterday.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government provided them with proper medical tests and arranged 7-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Myanmar embassies in foreign countries and local ministries concerned to bring back citizens stranded abroad due to the suspension of international commercial flights, in accordance with the guidance of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

THE 17th relief flight of All Nippon Airways (ANA) organized by the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo landed at Yangon International Airport bringing back a total of 155 Myanmar Nationals after they were stranded in Japan due to the suspension of international flights yesterday evening.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 7-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

To bring back the Myanmar citizens and Myanmar seamen who are stranded in foreign countries by relief flights and chartered flights in accordance with the instructions from National-Level Central Committee on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperated with the relevant ministries and Myanmar embassies from respective countries and shipping companies.

MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar