THE auspicious gala ceremony to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council continued for the third day in the Maha Pasana Cave on Kaba Aye Hill in Yangon yesterday.
A question and answer session on Abhidhamma Pitaka presided over by State Ovadacariya Yenangyoung Shwetaung Pali Tekkatho Presiding Patron Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Tejaniya was staged to honour the venerable Sayadaws who participated in the Sixth Buddhist Council.
Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandagarika Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silakkhandha Bhivamsa and Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vicittasara joined the Sangayana Q and A session. And, 15 members of the Sangha recited it. State Ovadacariya Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Exam Ovadacariya Body Chair Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Sudhammacara Bhivamsa gave an Ovada Katha.
Rector of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Aggamaha Pandita Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Aggamaha Kammathanacariya Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Dr Bhaddanta Hsekinda presented his reviews of five research papers submitted at the paper-reading session. Union Minister for Religious Affairs U Tin Oo Lwin and officials donated certificates of honour and offerings to venerable Sayadaws and resource person Sayadaws.
The Union Minister expressed gratitude for the successful completion of the commemorative ceremony. Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Aggamaha Pandita Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Bhaddanta Vasettha Bhivamsa delivered a sermon and proclamation marking the 70th anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council celebration.
State Ovadacariya Sitagu Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotika Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara gave Ovada over the celebration. SSMNC Chair Thanlyin Minkyaung Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivamsa declared the successful completion of the ceremony and delivered a sermon to share merits gained.
The Buddhist Council was held for the first time in the 1st Religious Era, the second in 100 RE, the third in 235 RE, the fourth in 450 RE, the fifth in 2415 RE, and the sixth in 2498 RE. The grand auspicious ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council celebration was held for three consecutive days from 30 April to 2 May as an effort to ensure the purity, stability, and propagation of Buddhism.
The celebration was attended by State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, SSMNC member Sayadaws, Pitaka holder Sayadaws, Sangharaja Sayadaws and members of the Sangha from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Korea, Bhutan, Mexico, the United States and Australia.
MNA/TTA
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