The Buddha Abhiseka (consecration) ceremony and the merit-sharing to mark the successful completion of the 7th offering of entirely gilding the VaradāḷāDhātu Cetiya Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda in Yangon by the Board of Trustees was held in the morning of April 8 at the pagoda, located in Mayangone Township, Yangon Region.

The event was attended by the Ovādācariya Sayadaws, Chief Minister of Yangon Region U Soe Thein, region ministers, departmental officials, members of the Board of Trustees, invited guests, and responsible personnel. First, the Ovādācariya Sayadaws performed the Buddha Abhiseka consecration. Afterwards, the participants took the Eight Precepts from the Ovādācariya Sayadaw, who is also the Chairman Sayadaw of the Yangon Region Sangha Nayaka Committee and the Presiding Sayadaw of the TipiṭakaLaṅkāra Pariyatti Sarthintaik Monastery, Bhaddanta Aggasāmi .

Subsequently, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, member (administration) U TunShwe submitted a summary report on the completion of the 7th offering of entirely gilding the pagoda to the Ovādācariya Sayadaws. Then, responsible officials offered offertories to the Ovādācariya Sayadaws. Afterwards, the Ovādācariya Sayadaw of the Board of Trustees of the VaradāḷāDhātu Cetiya (Yangon), who is also the Rector of the International Theravāda Buddhist Missionary University, Professor Dr. BhaddantaSekinda, delivered the sermon, followed by the pouring of water to share merits, it’s reported.

mitv

The 1388 Myanmar New Year ceremony will be held at the Shwedagon Pagoda on New Year’s Day, 17 April, according to the Pagoda Board of Trustees. The programme will include the offering of alms at the pagoda, the recitation of Paritta by venerable Sayadaws, and fish-releasing ceremonies.
“The 1388 Myanmar New Year ceremony will begin with the offering of great alms to the Buddha at the Shwedagon Pagoda at 5 am, followed by the offering of alms to venerable monks at 5:30 am. At 6:30 am, the New Year celebration will take place at the ancient Buddha images on the southern part of the pagoda, including listening to Paritta recited by venerable Sayadaws, making offerings, and sharing merits. At 7 am, a fish-releasing ceremony will be held at Shin Uppagutta Lake in Singuttara Park, on the pagoda’s lower terrace near the northern archway,” said U Bo Thin, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees.
Additionally, the Shwedagon Pagoda will remain open throughout the Maha Thingyan holiday, allowing pilgrims to observe the Dhamma in accordance with the guidelines. — ASH/MKKS

gnlm

A merit-making ceremony and a spiritual urgency (Samvega) discourse by the Sitagu Sayadaw were held on 28 March to commemorate the first anniversary of the Mandalay earthquake.
Under the auspices of the Sagaing Region Government, the event was organized and the ceremony took place on the morning of 28 March at the Dhamma Hall of the ancient Yadana Zedi Sinmya Shin Pagoda in Sagaing.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Sitagu Sayadaw, who delivered a discourse on spiritual urgency and the nature of impermanence to the audience.
During the ceremony, participants shared the accumulated merit with those who were affected or lost their lives due to the earthquake disaster. Additionally, officials from the Sagaing Region Government offered various religious alms and donations to the monks, led by the Sitagu Sayadaw. — MT/ZN

gnlm

The National Defence and Security Council held an alms-offering ceremony to mark the first anniversary of monks, nuns, and those who died in the Mandalay earthquake at 9:30 am yesterday at Uppatasanti Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory.
The ceremony was attended by Uppatasanti Pagoda Ovadacariya Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maharattha Guru Bhaddanta Rajinda from Pauk Myaing Monastery in Lewe Township, Nay Pyi Taw, along with other Sayadaws, the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee and Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Phone Myat, Union Ministers U Ko Ko Hlaing, Dr Kan Zaw, Dr Wah Wah Maung, Dr Thida Oo, U Tin Oo Lwin, U Hla Moe, Dr Charlie Than, Dr Chaw Chaw Sein, Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, U Myo Thant, and Dr Soe Win, as well as other officials.
Attendees first observed the Five Precepts, administered by Presiding Patron Uppatasanti Pagoda Ovadacariya Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maharattha Guru Dr Bhaddanta Adiccavanssa from Thirimingala Wegyi Monastery in Pobbathiri Township, while listening to the Metta Sutta recited by the Sayadaws.
Union ministers then presented and donated offerings to the Sayadaws, led by the Sayadaw from Pauk Myaing Monastery in Lewe Township.
Afterwards, the attendees listened to a dedication sermon delivered by Presiding Patron Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vicakkhana from Aungsitha Pariyatti Buddhism Learning Centre in Pobbathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, and shared merit in dedication to the monks, nuns, and people who had passed away due to the Mandalay earthquake. — MNA/MKKS

gnlm

The Board of Trustees of Thihoshin Pagoda will host a grand celebration to commemorate the completion of the gold-foil donation ceremony at the ancient Thihoshin Pagoda in Pakokku Township, Magway Region, from 27 March to 7 April.
“The application of gold foil to the entire structure of the ancient pagoda began in October 2025 and was completed in February 2026. On the opening day, an inaugural ceremony marking the successful completion of the work will be held at the pagoda’s north gate. On 1 April, a consecration ceremony will take place, along with the offering of alms to 108 monks. In addition, a traditional Myanmar Chinlone (cane ball) competition will be held from 28 March to 1 April. The Thihoshin Theatre will also feature performances by the Mandalay Ahman Thit Theatrical Troupe from 30 March to 1 April and the Mandalay Kaungsithein Theatrical Troupe from 5 to 7 April. A market will also be organized as part of the festival to provide a lively and festive atmosphere,” said U Aung Maung, a member of the Thihoshin Pagoda Board of Trustees. — ASH/MKKS

gnlm

A ceremony of hoisting golden umbrella atop the Lawka YanThi SuTaung Pyae Pagoda was held in conjunction with the consecration ceremony in Daw Poe Si Village, Demoso Township, Kayah State on Tuesday with the attendance of Kayah State Chief Minister U Sein Oo and officials. The ceremony opened with three recitations of Namotasa.

The congregation then received the Nine Precepts from the Sayadaw of Yadanar Thiri Monastery. The Chief Minister and state ministers offered a diamond orb, pennant-shaped vane, golden umbrella and other offertories, and donated Ks-5 million kyats for the golden umbrella.

The Chief Minister and congregation listened to Paritta suttas recited by members of the Sangha.The Chief Minister and attendees conveyed the offertories clockwise around the pagoda before hoisting atop the pagoda, where the members of Sangha conducted the consecration ceremony.

Alms were offered to the members of Sangha, and the congregation listened to the sermons and shared the merits gained. Cash prizes were later presented to ethnic cultural groups who performed at the event. In the afternoon, the Chief Minister and officials attended the second work coordination meeting for organizing the 2026 Myanmar Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival at the State Government Office.

At the meeting, the Chief Minister urged committees and sub-committees to coordinate effectively and implement plans for a successful festival. He stressed preserving traditional customs, particularly in organizing a walking Thingyan, to ensure public participation while safeguarding Myanmar’s cultural heritage. The officials then discussed sector-wise plans and the Chief Minister coordinated the needs during the meeting.

mitv

The restoration process commenced for the historic Maha Min Htin Wooden Monastery in Maha Aung Myay Township of Mandalay, which was damaged by the March 28, 2025 earthquake.

Chief Minister U Myo Aung attended the ceremony and made a speech, stressing that restoration will be carried out carefully by experts to preserve its historical and artistic value. The Chairman of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry later explained the restoration project and its objectives.

The monastery’s abbot, Aung Yadana Monastery Sayadaw, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the beginning of the restoration. The devastating earthquake caused significant damage to ancient buildings and pagodas in Mandalay, including Maha Min Htin Monastery, a 170-year-old wooden structure representing Myanmar’s cultural heritage.

The restoration will be closely supervised by the Mandalay regional government and the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Mandalay Branch), with donations from Japan’s AEON Corporation and Japanese citizens, as well as local business associations.

mitv

The computerized manuscripts of the Tri Pitaka Atthakatha treatises were offered to members of Sangha at the Sasana Maha Beikman Taw Gyi at Uppatasanti Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw on Sunday.

The ceremony was attended by 19 Sayadaws led by the Presiding Patron of Thiri Mingalar Wel Gyi Pariyatti Monastery, Uppatasanti Pagoda Ovada Cariya Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Adiccavamsa, together with Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, deputy ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman and members, officials and donors.

The ceremony opened with the recitation of “Namotasa” three times. The congregation then received the five precepts from the Presiding Patron Sayadaw and listened to the sermons delivered by the members of the Sangha. The Union Minister then supplicated the religious matter, explaining that the previous typed-printing Sixth Buddhist Synod Atthakatha treatises had been damaged over time and by natural disasters.

Therefore, under the guidance of the Head of State, the computerized reprinting of the Atthakatha treatises began on 29 January 2024, while preserving the original Sixth Buddhist Synod page format with clearer and sharper text. A total of 51,000 copies were printed.

The work took one year and eight months to complete, carried out day and night by 40 Tatmadaw personnel and staff from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture. The project was implemented with the support of Sayadaws from the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities (Yangon and Mandalay), the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Sitagu International Buddhist Academy and the monasteries from Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory.

In accordance with the guidance of the Head of State, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture has been donating 51 computerized Sixth Synod Atthakatha treatises to the State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, senior monks, State Sangha Maha Nayaka Sayadaws and the monasteries with more than 150 Sayadaws in Nay Pyi Taw.

The Union Minister and attendees later presented offertories and the Atthakatha treatises to the Sangha. After listening to a sermon delivered by the Presiding Patron of Aung Si Thar Pariyatti Monastery, the congregation shared merits and concluded the ceremony by reciting “Buddha Sāsanaṃ Ciraṃ Tiṭṭhatu” three times.

mitv

Old and new students can submit application for MA, BA and diploma courses for 2026-2027 academic year, said the administration of the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy, Yangon.

As of 10 March, submission of application is accepted at the school library, it said.

Requirements are : new MA students must be under 35 years of age and have passed a BA degree with 55 per cent mark from a Sitagu International Buddhist Academy, or have achieved Grade B + and above from English language-speaking local or foreign university with humanities and social science with an average mark 55 per cent.

New BA students must be under 32 years of age, must be graduate in Sasana Daza Dhamma Sariya, Thakya Thiha Dhamma Sariya, Zaydi Yingana Dhamma Sariya degree or BA or BSc degree from a university, and new diploma students must be under 30 years of age and have passed the government’s Pathamagyi examination or matriculation exam.

For submission, application form, copy of respective certification, copy of religious membership card, approval of a guardian and two 2-2 inches recent photos in colour are required and deadline is 24 March. Entrance exam is scheduled on 26 March for diploma course and 27 March for BA and MA courses and English language proficiency and general questions on Pitakat will be tested.

MT/ZS

gnlm

Dhamma School Foundation (Central) held the 14th anniversary of its founding at Zabuthiri Beikman in Mayangone Township, Yangon, on Saturday morning to encourage the sustainable development of Dhamma schools and its education.

The ceremony was attended by State Ovadacariya, Sangha Raja of Shwe Kyin Sect, Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academy Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru, Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika, Agga Maha Pandita, Sitagu Sayadaw Baddhanta Nanissara, Sayadaws and members of Sangha, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, region ministers and Dhamma school teachers.

The Chief Minister paid homage to the Sitagu Sayadaw and offered offertories and cash donations to the Dhamma School Foundation. The ceremony opened with the three-time recitation of Namotasa. The congregation then listened to Ovada Gatha delivered by the Sitagu Sayadaw and Sayadaws from the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon) and Yangon Region Sangha Nayaka Committee, as well as the Dhamma School Foundation (Central). This was followed by the supplication of Dhamma school activities and religious matters.

The congregation later donated offertories to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha and received certificates of honour in return. They also listened to a sermon delivered by the Chairman Sayadaw of the Dhamma School Foundation (Central) and offered day meal to the members of Sangha.

The Dhamma School Foundation aims to establish Dhamma Schools across Myanmar using a prescribed curriculum and modern teaching methods, enabling young people to learn Buddha’s teachings from the basics, apply them in daily life while carrying out missionary activities. 

mitv