Objectives

(a) Missionary tasks at home and abroad are to be carried out effectively and widely

(b) Missionary tasks are to be based in hilly regions and extended to other necessary regions

(c) Efforts are to be made energetically for promotion and propagation of the Sasana in all parts of the world

(d) Tasks of translation of Pitakas, international relations, rendering assistance to Buddhist missionary schools, compilation of Buddhist Treatises, giving talks and lectures, are to be carried out systematically in support of missionary work.

Historical Background

According to the new administration scheme (15-3-72), the Ministry of Home and Religious Affairs strived for prevalence of law and order , community peace and tranquillity, admin-stration, security, religious affairs, with the participation of unit departments including the Religious Affairs Department.

In religious sector, for implementation of the three objectives of purfication, prepetuation and propagation of the Sasana, it is necessary to strive for development of promotion and propagation of the Sasana in hilly regions with added momentum. So in order to carry out the tasks of promotion and propagation of the Theravada Bud-dhist Sasana at home and abroad effectively and successfully, the Departmemt for Promotion and Propagation of the Sanana was established on 9 May 1991 with (32) officials and (337) staff, totalling (369).

Organization

The following divisions are organized under the Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana.

Tasks carried out

Tasks carried out of The Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana

The Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana is a Department established in order to promote and propagate the Theravada Buddhist Teachings at home and abroad and the following duties are to be done.

MISSIONARY WORK IN BORDER AND HILLY REGIONS

Buddhist Minissionary Centres opened in border and hilly regions of Myanmar. Following the establishment of the Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana the number of the missionary centres have increased to 457 involving 537 Buddhist monks and 41 Buddhist nuns.

In addition to these hard- working missionary monks and nuns there are 1036 laymen to carry out missionary activities on a broader scale under any conditions in the regions. Training courses in missionary work were conducted wherever necessary with the aim of speeding up missionary work, and up to the present there have been courses turning out successful trainee- monks, nuns and laymen.

The efforts of these missionary workers have borne fruit in the form of 144054 persons becoming Buddhists.

BUDDHIST ABBOTS TRAINING SCHOOLS

Training schools for Abbots are opened in the States and Divisions of Myanmar, where trainees were taught in accordance with the instructions of the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee. Training courses have been conducted in 13 Abbots Training Schools in the country.

The number of successful trainees is 2474 monks.

BUDDHIST MONASTIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS

Buddhist Monastic Education schools Monastic Education schools are opened in various parts of Myanmar with the aim of giving education to needy and orphaned children in the border and hilly regions. There are 1255 Monastic Education schools in the whole country, attended by 10652 novices, 1168 nuns, 88023 boy- students and 75247 girl-students.

For children to become well- mannered citizens with a better knowledge of the Buddha's Teaching and a greater willingness to preserve Buddhist cultural values, courses in Buddhist culture were opened every year during summer vacation under the systematic supervison of Township Buddhist Cultural Courses Committees. Moreover, under the joint- supervision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Basic- level Courses and Advanced- level Courses in the Buddha's Teaching, brief Courses for Instructors and multiplier courses were opened in Townships, attended by a total of 16680404 trainees.

EXCHANGE OF STUDY VISITS

The Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana gives necessary certifi-cation to those foreigners who come to Myanmar to practise Buddhist Insight Meditation in their application for entry visas, stay permit extension and preliminary registration. During the period from 1992 up to September, 2004, the Department have certified 1141 entry visa application cases, 5368 visa extension cases and 1391 preliminary registration cases.
It also rendered necessary help to religious delegations from Korea, Japan, Laos, China, etc. during their study visits in Myanmar.

The Department, after due scrutiny, provided certification and necessary help for those leaving for India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, the US, Korea, etc. for religious purposes. Buddhist pilgrimages from Bangladesh to Myanmar are: 4 times with a total number of 170 people in 1997; 2 times with a total number of 66 people in 1998; 2 times with a total number of 60 people in 1999; 2 times with a total number of 60 people in 2000.2 times with a total number of 56 people in 2001; 2 times with a total number of 60 people in 2002; 2 times with a total number of 57 people in 2003 and 1 time with a total number of 36 person in 2004.They visited various parts of Myanmar and paid homage to Buddha Images and Pagodas there.

Buddhist Religious Titles:

The State Peace and Development Council has prescribed 22 kinds of Buddhist Religious Titles and is awarding (donating) them every year. From 1992 to 2005 the Buddhist Misssionary Title, Kamma-thanacariya Title, and Sasananuggaha Title were awarded (donated) as follows:

(1) Buddhist Missionary Title 1056 Persons

(2) Kammathanacariya Title 271 Persons

(3) Sasananuggaha Title 267 Persons

Sacred Library

Beginning 17 May 1954, the Sixth Buddhist Synod was held for two years inside the Maha Pasana Cave on Kaba- Aye Hill. Then a Sacred Library Building was constructed nearby, with the aim of housing the Pali (Pitaka) books in respective languages of the participating Theravada Buddhist countries as well as Buddhist religious artifacts and official insignia objects. So a Research Library and a Buddhist Art Museum have also appeared since.

Besides the books contained in the Research library there are many bundles of palm- leaf manuscripts and parabaiks stored in cabinets, available upon request for the use by native as well as foreign researchers and scholars, monks studying at Pariyatti Universities, students and general public.

TRANSLATING THE TIPITAKA

With the aim of spreading the Buddha's Teaching worldwide, the Pitaka Text Translation Committee have translated into English a number of Pali Texts such as Dighanikaya, Majjhimanikaya, Samyutta, Anguttaranikaya and Khuddakanikaya. So far there have been 20 translated books and an English - language Guide to Tipitaka.

A Guide to Mangala Sutta, and the Basic Teachings of the Buddha, the Teachings of the Buddha for Beginners and the Teachings of the Buddha (Basic Level) have benn trasnslated into Chinese. The Five Precepts, A Brief Life- story of the Buddha and the Mangala Sutta (illustrated) have been translated into Kachin language. The Teachings of the Buddha (Basic Level) has been translated into Kayin, Chin, Kayah, Wa and Shan languages, and they have been printed and published.

PUTTING THE PITAKAS IN MULTIMEDIA CD-ROM

The Life of The Buddha (Multimedia CD-ROM) Discover the brief biography of the Buddha, the Enlightened One, through simple text with narration, while enjoying the animated characters of Myanmar traditional art, with the accompaniment of melodic background music. For dissemination and perpetuation of the three Pitakas of the Buddha, Arahats and Venerable Elders (Theras) held the Buddhist Councils by reciting and verifying the Buddha's Teachings which were later inscribed on stone slabs.

After the Sixth Buddhist Council the Scriptures were put into print. Now the three Pitakas, i.e. Pali Texts, and Atthakatha and Tika were transcribed into Multimedia CD-ROM.

Similarly, with the aim of perpetuation and flourishing of Buddhist Sasana in all parts of the world, Pitaka Treatises in Myanmar translation were transcribed into CD-ROM. Myanmar Inforithm Ltd produced the Multimedia CD- ROM based on the Life History of Buddha book written by Ven. Ashin Zanakabhivamsa of Maha Gandayon Kyaung Taik, Amarapura and illustrated by the eminent artist U Ba Kyi and it came out for the benefit of the Buddhist devotees.

Aiming at an increase in number of samghas who are fully endowed with the following qualifications adopted by the First Congregation of the Samgha of All Orders, the State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon) was opened on 1 st Waning of Nayon, 1348 M.E (26-6-96), Monday, and the State Pariyatti Sasana University (Mandalay) was opened on the 1st Waning of Wagaung, 1348 M.E (21-8-96), Thursday, respectively.
Objectives of the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities;

(1) To be of high morality and uprightness.

(2) To be well versed in Pitaka

(3) To be well learned and skilful in Pali.

(4) to be good at Myanmar Language and Literature.

(5) Emergence of Samghas who will be able to do missionary work at home and abroad, and of trainee-bhikkhus and Samghas who will hold up the spirit and practice of doing missionary work, residng in any place which may be prosperous or poor including the rural areas.

The Central Administrative Body of the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities has been formed and tasks on teaching, administration, offering alms-food, etc. are being carried out.

The Sasana Takkasila Dhammacariya, B.A. (Buddhism) degree, Sasana Takkasila Maha Dhammacariya, M.A. (Buddhism) are corferred on trainee-bhikkhus who have completed the course concerned at the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities (Yangon / Mandalay).

The following are the bhikkhus who have obtained the respective degrees from the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities from 1994 to 2004.

TOOTH RELICE PAGODAS (YANGON / MANDALAY)

TOOTH RELICE PAGODAS The Buddha Tooth Relic was conveyed to the Union of Myanmar on 20 April 1994, under the bilateral friendly relations programme existing between the People's Republic of China and Myanmar. Myanmar Buddhist monks and public paid homage to the Tooth Relic, which sojourned first inside the Maha Pasana Cave, Kab-Aye, Yangon, and then at the Maha Convocation Hall of State Pariyatti Sasana University (Mandalay), around the clock for 45 days altogether.

The general public worshipped the Tooth Relic with offertories and contemplation in Dhamma, aiming at the three blessings of rebirth in the human abode or deva realm, or realizing Nibbana. A lot of cash and enshrinement items were also received.

A replica tooth relic of ivory was then made and placed beside the real one to receive public veneration, also in the belief that the replica was receiving the life-breath of the Buddha through the real Tooth Relic. As such the State gave the guideline that two Tooth Relic Pagodas be built, one in Yangon and another in Mandalay, enshrining oneTooth Relic and other religious items of donation.

By and by the preliminary work of ground consecration was performed at the Dham-mapala Hillock, near Naga Lainggu Pagoda, Mayangon, Yangon on 26-12-1994. Construction of Varadathadhatucetiya Tooth Relic Pagoda followed, with hoisting of the Htidaw (umbrella) celebrated on 14- 11 -1996.

Each of the two Tooth Relic is 108 cubits high.

MAJJHIMA DESA PILGRIMAGES

MAJJHIMA DESA PILGRIMAGES Buddhist devotees are willing to visit the Four Samvejaniya Places, comprising Lumbini Park the Buddha-to-be Prince Siddhattha was born, Bodh Gaya where the Buddha attained Enlightenment, Migadaya Deer Park where the Buddha expounded the first Sermon and Kusinara were the Buddha entered Parinibbana. In order to fulfil the wishes of the Buddhist devotees, the Ministry of Religious Affairs undertook the Majjhima Desa Pilgrimage programme to enable them to visit the four Samvejaniya Places and other places where the Buddhist edifices exist, at reasonable price, since 1998.

In 1999-2004, 5926 pilgrims were sent to Majjhima Desa on 185 pilgrimage journeys. Arrangements are being made to send pilgrims in pilgrimage journeys in 2000-2001.

EMERGENCE OF THE LAWKA CHANTHA ABHAYA LABHA MUNI BUDDHA IMAGE IN SPLENDOUR AND MAGNIFICENCE FOR PUBLIC OBEISANCE
	THE LAWKA CHANTHA ABHAYA LABHA MUNI BUDDHA IMAGE The pleasant and beautiful Sakyin (marble) Hill lies in Sakyin village in Madaya Township about 21 miles to the north of Mandalay. Most of the marble rocks obtained from this Hill were used for carving Buddha images and thus the region is to be known as Religious Land. In 1998 the immense and significant white marble rock measuring 37 feet and 7 inches long, 24 feet wide and over 11 feet thick was found by stone sculptor U Taw Taw and he dug the marble out the whole year in 1999 in order to know its full size and dimensions. U Taw Taw and family reported to the Head of State that the immense marble rock which is flawless and of high quality, emerging unprecedentedly and significantly was deserving to donate to the government by curving it into a Buddha Image.

Under the guidance of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, arrangements were made to convey the marble Image to Yangon for public obeisance.

The government assigned the task to the Minister for Rail Transportation and the Minister for Transport for conveying the marble image to Yangon and to the Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council and Commander of Central Command for providing close supervision.

Eminent Artist U Thaung Han and Eminent Sculptor U Aung Thwin painted and carved respective replicas. U Taw Taw started carving the rough image out of the marble and finished 60 per cent. After that arrangements were made for conveyance of the Buddha Image onto the Sacred Mindhamma Hillock, Insein Township, Yangon Division after seeking instructions of Venerable Mahatheras. Arrangements were also made to convey the marble image along the Ayeyawady River when the water level reached its highest.

Programmes for conveying of the Buddha Image from the foot of the Sakyin Hill to Yangon was started on 10 July 2000.

The barge left Madaya Sakyin jetty on 24-7-2000 and it stopped at the following 12 towns along the river for public obeisance.

24-7-2000	- Gawwain (Mandalay)
25-7-2000	- Myinmu
26-7-2000	- Pakokku
27-7-2000	- Bagan-Nyaung Oo
28-7-2000	- Magway
29-7-2000	- Aung Lan
30-7-2000	- Pyay
31-7-2000	- Myanaung
1-8-2000	- Hinthada
2-8-2000	- Danubyu
3-8-2000	- Ma-U Bin
4-8-2000	- No-4 mile post of Twantay Canal
5-8-2000	- Gyogon

In conveying the marble image along the Ayeyawady river Pyigyi Tagun control vessel was the leading boat of the flotilla and Hsinhaing (1) (2) and Hisnpyaung (1) (2) followed it by pulling the Thonlutaukpa Yadana Shwephaungdaw (barge) on which Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labhamuni Image was conveyed and Thalawady administrative vessel followed last.

Devotees thronged on the left and right banks of the river all along the way and made generous cash donations.

The golden barge carrying the image was moored at the Gyogon jetty on 5 August 2000, and the ceremony for welcoming and conveying the image was grandly held. The image was conveyed on a specially-made decorated Mingala-wagon from the jetty to the foot of Mindhamma Hillock on 9 August and it arrived there successfully on 10 August, then the image was conveyed from the foot of the hill to the top and was placed successfully on the Yandana Throne on 28 August. Later, works were also carried out to place the image on the throne properly. Foundation laying ceremony for construction of Gandha-kuti Kyaungdaw where the Buddha Image will be kept was held on 7-9-2000.

For emergence of the Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Buddha Image in splendour and magnificence for public obeisance, other works such as construction of Gandhakuti Kyaungdaw and greening and all-round construction of Min-dhamma Hillock about 27 acres wide in area, have been carried out with the suggestions of the Ovadacariya Sayadaws. The formation of the Nayaka Committee, the Construction Committee and various work committees was also carried out successfully in accord with the instructions of Ovadacariya Sayadaws.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is taking part in all-round efforts such as conveying the marble Buddha Image from the foot of the Sakyin Hill to Sakyin jetty, conveying it along the river route, hence to the Mindhamma Hillock, and on the Yadana Throne and all-round construction and development of the Mindhamma Hillock.