The ceremony to confer the International Award for Promotion of Buddhism title on State Ovadacariya Sangha Raja of Shwekyin Nikaya Buddhist Order Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Baddanta Nyanissara by the Indian government was held at India Centre in Yangon yesterday evening.
The event was attended by Sitagu Sayadaw, Sagaing Region International Buddhism Education Centre Presiding Sayadaw U Sobhita, Rakhine State Alotaw Pyae Meditation Centre and Monastery Presiding Sayadaw U Pannajota and monks, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein and regional government ministers, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Abjay Thaku, Director-General of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Mr Kumar Tuhin, U Nu-Daw Mya Yi Foundation Chairperson Daw Than Than Nu, trainees and former trainees of ICCR and invitees.
The Indian ambassador extended a greeting speech, and students of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) and students of the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon) gave performances.
Director-General Mr Kumar Tuhin of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) and Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn made speeches, respectively.
The Indian ambassador donated robes to Sitagu Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.
Director-General Mr Kumar Tuhin of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) then conferred the International Award for Promotion of Buddhism on Sitagu Sayadaw.
Afterwards, Sitagu Sayadaw delivered a speech of advice and concluded the event.
ICCR has instituted an ‘Award for Promotion of Buddhism’ to recognize the contributions of foreign scholars, individuals and organizations to the promotion of Buddhism globally in 2021.
Dr Duong Thi Thanh Huong (Vietnam) of Otani University (Japan) and Mr Choijamts Demberel (Mongolia) received that award.
Sitagu Sayadaw was conferred the title of the International Award for Promotion of Buddhism to recognize his religious missions that were conducted in 2023.
MNA/KTZH
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