Nay Pyi Taw March 28
A ceremony to confer religious titles for 2021 took place at the Sasana Maha Beikman in the Uppatasanti Pagoda compound, Nay Pyi Taw, on 27 March. And now, officials are visiting the Sayadaws who could not make their presence at the ceremony to confer the titles in their respective regions.
A ceremony to confer the title of Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru on Presiding Nayaka of Naga Hnitkaung Monastery in Tachilek, Shan State (East), State Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Agga Maha Pandita Dr Bhaddanta Dhamasiri took place at the monastery this morning, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Commanderin-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The ceremony was attended by the title recipient Sayadaw, Presiding Nayaka of Thila Dhama Kontha Tawra Monastery in Kengtung (Wasipeik) Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kovida and members of the Sangha.
The Senior General and wife were accompanied by council members Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, U Sai Lone Hsaing, Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and wife, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Myo Min Tun, the chairman of Tachilek District Administration Council and guests.
The ceremony was opened with a three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. The Senior General and wife and the congregation received the Five Precepts from the Sayadaw of Naga Hnitkaung Monastery. Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko supplicated on religious matters.
Next, the Senior General conferred the title of Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru and regalia on the Sayadaw of Naga Hnitkaung Monastery. Then, prerequisites, cash and offertories were presented to the Sayadaw.
The Sayadaw of Naga Hnitkaung Monastery delivered the Sammodaniya Ovada Katha and sermons. The Senior General and wife and the congregation shared the merits gained and the ceremony concluded with a three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu.
The Senior General and wife and party offered a day meal to the Sayadaw of Naga Hnitkaung Monastery, Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.
The Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Naga Hnitkaung Monastery was born to U Haung and Daw Nan Pin in Yankein Village, Kengtung Township, Shan State, on 9th waning of Nadaw in 1290 ME. His childhood name is Sai Shan La. On 15th waxing of Tabaung in 1299 ME, he was novitiated as ‘Shin Shan La’ under the patronage of the Sayadaw of Kyaiyin Monastery. When he became monkhood, he was called Ashin Dhamasiri. At Naga Hnitkaung Monastery, he gives government Pathamapyan and Dhamacariya lectures and Pariyati literature to the monks and novices day and night.
Moreover, he complied Dhamapada (Gon Shan language) and three Pitakas (Gon Shan language). He is 91 years of age and has 71 vasa.
He established 12 monasteries including Ponton Monastery and Naga Hnitkaung Monastery and endeavoured for the propagation of the Sasana. Having received the title of Agga Maha Pandita, being a long-serving revered monk, having religious knowledge, serving the interest of people and having complied religious treatises, he was conferenced the title of Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presents offertories to Sayadaw.
