Secretary-1 attends ceremony to seek Ovada from Chairman Sayadaw Successful candidates of Nikaya examinations honoured
( Sunday 22 July, 2001 )

A ceremony to seek Ovada from Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Myingyan Koehsaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita and to honour members of the Sangha from Nikaya Sarthintaik who passed religious examinations was held at Pyilone Chantha Maha Theindawgyi of Nikaya Tri-Pitaka Sarthintaik in South Dagon Myothit this morning, attended by the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Gana Maha Nayaka Sayadaws Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Myingyan Koehsaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita, Secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara, Sayadaws, members of the Sangha, ministers, deputy ministers, Adviser to the State Peace and Development Council U Arnt Maung, Director-General of the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, Pro-Rector (Administration) of the International Buddhist Missionary University Dr Hla Pe and officials, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, township authorities, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and religious associations, well-wishers and guests.

The Secretary-1 and the congregation took the Five Precepts from Secretary Magway Sayadaw Bhad-danta Kumara. Secretary Magway Saya-daw Bhaddanta Kumara read out the Ovadakatha of Chairman Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita. In the Ovadakatha, the Sayadaw said that at Nikaya Sarthintaik established in 1358 ME, five Nikaya TriPitaka Pali Athakatha treatises have been taught. At the request of the Sayadaw, the government and the Ministry of Religious Affairs have already held the ninth five Nikaya Pali Examination.

A rule has been laid down that all student members of the Sangha from Nikaya Sarthintaik are required to take five Nikaya Pali Examination. Therefore, now, a ceremony to honour members of the Sangha who have passed that examination can be held. The purpose of holding such a kind of ceremony on a grand scale is to encourage the student members of the Sangha to earnestly pursue their studies in five Nikaya Pali Athakatha treatises. Then, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited Parittas.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 supplicated on religious affairs. He said that at Nikaya Sarthintaik established by the Chairman Sayadaw, five Nikaya and Tri-Pitaka Pali treatises have been taught. Therefore, it is a significant Sarthintaik. According to the Ovadakatha of the Sayadaw, if members of the Sangha and disciples join hand in hand, the Buddhist Sasana will flourish not only in Myanmar but also all over the world. Next, the Secretary-1 and party and wellwishers offered alms to the Sayadaws.

The Secretary-1 presented awards to Vina-yavidu title, Dighanikaya Vidura title and Maha Vidu title recipient Bhaddanta Khamavudha, Vinaya Vidu title and Dighanikaya Vidu title recipient Bhaddanta Sunnada and Bhaddanta Kosalla and Vinaya Vidu title recipient Bhaddanta Nagabala and Bhaddanta Dhammika. The ministers also presented awards to members of the Sangha who passed the examinations. Secretary Magway Saya-daw Bhaddanta Kumara delivered a sermon, and the Secretary-1 and party shared merits. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 offered soon to the Chairman Sayadaw, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

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