At the invitation of the Korean Wave Culture Industry Forum (KWCIF), a delegation led by State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Chair Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Aggamaha Pandita Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivamsa arrived in the Republic of Korea on 22 May to attend the “50 Years of Gratitude & Friendship, 100 Years of Mercy” ceremony to be held in Seoul on 25 May.
The delegation was welcomed at Incheon International Airport by Chargé d’Affaires ad interim/Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, to the Republic of Korea, U Myo Myint Maung, Military Attaché (Army, Navy and Air) Brig-Gen Wint Thu, and embassy staff.
The Sayadaw met Venerable Damhwa Wonmyeong, chief monk of Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, and also met Ven Jinwoo, the 37th President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, at the Office of the President of the Jogye Order.
Jogyesa Temple is the central temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Established in 1910, it is regarded as an important site for Korean Buddhist history, culture, and religious activities. The temple is also well known among domestic and international visitors for its traditional Korean architecture, the Daeungjeon Hall (Main Buddha Hall), centuries-old trees, and traditional lantern festivals.
The Sayadaw and party also met Dongguk University President Yun Jae-woon and later delivered words of advice to students at the university.
The Sayadaw participated in a live broadcast programme of the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS) and gave teachings in response to religious questions.
BBS is Korea’s first Buddhist television and radio network, broadcasting Buddhist literature, Vipassana teachings, and Korean and international Buddhist news through radio and BBS TV programmes.
The Sayadaw and party met Venerable Jongcheon at Baltuska Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Venerable Hyeon-deok at Tongdosa Temple. — MNA/KTZH

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Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, General Ye Win Oo, accompanied by his wife Daw Nila, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Commander of East Command, and responsible officials, visited and paid homage to the Inle Phaungdaw-U Buddha image at the Yatana San Kyaung Daw in Inle region, Nyaungshwe Township, Monday afternoon.

They also inspected the completed restoration works of religious buildings damaged by the Mandalay earthquake.  First, the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and officials offered flowers, water, and golden robes to the five Phaungdaw-U Buddha Images, paid homage, and donated funds for all-round renovations. 

The donations were received by members of the Board of Trustees, who in return offered dharma gifts. Afterwards, the Commander-in-Chief and officials proceeded to the Sein-hnit-Mya Monastery within the Inle Phaungdaw-U precinct, where they paid homage to the presiding Sayadaw, Bhaddanta Vijaya , and offered alms and donations.

Subsequently, responsible officials briefed the Commander-in-Chief and officials at the briefing hall on the implementation status of the Head of State's directives, the damage and losses caused by the earthquake, and the completion status of restoration works.

The Commander-in-Chief then made necessary coordination with responsible officials regarding the requirements. Following that, the Commander-in-Chief and officials toured and inspected the restored buildings on the pagoda precinct that had collapsed and been damaged by the earthquake, ensuring that the original architectural designs had been preserved. He provided necessary guidance and coordinated with responsible officials on matters requiring attention, it’s reported.

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The merit-sharing ceremony, held as part of the collection of meritorious deeds commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Mingala Byuhar Association (Buddhist Training School), took place on the morning of May 19.

Prior to the ceremony, the executives and members of the Mingala Byuhar Association chanted Paritta Suttas and Patthana Dhamma Discourses, and performed the Buddhapuja, the Dhammapuja, and the Sanghapuja.

During the ceremony, the audience took the Five Precepts from the Venerable Bhaddanta Vayama Sara, Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita, the Preceptor of the Mingala Strategy Association, and offered alms food and donations to the Venerable Sayadaws.

Afterwards, a lunch meal offering was provided to the presiding patrons, executives, association members, and the assembled guests.

The responsibilities and activities of the Mingala Byuhar Association is clarified by a Patron of the Association.

U Kyi Twe (Patron), Mangala Byuhar Association said " Myanmar has been preserving Pariyatti Sasana (Teachings of the Buddha) reverently, consistently and collectively. Accordingly, the venerable Sayadawgyi assigned us to preserve the teachings contained in Mangala Sutta which is important teaching for the lay persons especially for youth among the Tipitaka, tactically following the name of our association (Mangala Byuhar, literally to preserve Mangala teachings tactically). Since then, our association has been working on it perseveringly."

The association was found in 1956 and it’s been 70 years old this year in 2026. The main task of the association is the teaching of teachings of the Buddha and the philanthropic works.

Dr. Ommar Tun, Leader of Dhamma Literation Training said " Mangala Byuhar Association has 13 subcommittees led by the Dhamma Literature Training Board. Our main task is to teach the Abhidhamma, Abhidhamma (Hons) and Visuddhimagga for the exams organized by the Department of Religious Affairs in December yearly. While we are carrying out the propagation of the Dhamma literature, we also pursue the philanthropic activities."

The association members has the duty to sustain the association and hand over the new generations. And the association has to nurture the new Generation of Dhamma teachers and the members of blood donors and philanthropic contributors.

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Union Minister for Religious Affairs U Tin Oo Lwin, in Monday, inspected the damage to ancient Buddha images in the old Mekkaya city area and the Paleik region of Sintgaing Township, Mandalay Region, which were affected by the Mandalay earthquake that struck on March 28, 2025.

During the inspection tour, officials including the Director and responsible personnel from the Mandalay branch of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum explained the ongoing restoration work being carried out by the department. In response to the presentations, the Union Minister instructed that the restoration work should ensure resistance up to level-8 earthquake impact, be carried out in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and prioritize the preservation and protection of ancient cultural heritage without causing damage, it’s reported.

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Union Minister for Religious Affairs U Tin Oo Lwin visited the quake-affected Matkayar Say  Pagoda and Shwe Yaung Taw Pagoda at Matkayar Ancient city in Mandalay Region on 17th May. 

They paid homage to the Sayadaw of Maha GandaYonMonestary and donated offertories. They then viewed the mural arts of the pagoda and inside the cave. After paying homage to Shin Pin Gu Hla pagoda donated by King Alaung Sithu, the Union Minister donated offertories to Sayadaws led by Yadana Myine Monestary.

They also inspected the Shin Pin Gu Hla pagoda and instructed the necessaries. The Mandalay earthquake damaged various pagodas and temples in Matkayar and Paleik areas. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is carrying out the renovation works with the supports of well-wishers. At present, two infrastructures already completed, and 16 under restoration in Matkayar area and 24 completed and 40 underway in Paleik.

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The earthquake-damaged Sel Taw Nan Shwe Moke Htaw Pagoda in Kyaukse Township, Mandalay Region, is currently undergoing restoration work, with the repairs reported to be about 70 percent complete.

The pagoda suffered major damage during the powerful 2025 Mandalay earthquake, causing the upper section of the pagoda to collapse. Restoration work is being carried out by the Ministry of Religious Affairs with collective donations from the Union Minister, ministry staff families and the devotees.

During an inspection visit on Saturday, Union Minister U Tin Oo Lwin and officials reviewed ongoing renovation activities, including rehabilitation of Bagan-era statues, and gold robe offering works to the pagoda.

The Union Minister instructed officials to systematically preserve the ancient heritage structures during the restoration process while strengthening them to withstand future major earthquakes. According to historical records, Sel Taw Nan Shwe Moke Htaw Pagoda is believed to be one of the 84,000 pagodas built by King Thiri Dhamma Thawka in 218 ME.

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Ensuring that Buddha images, pagodas, monasteries and religious buildings within Mandalay Region are kept clean, tidy, and worth of reverence, Union Minister for Religious Affairs U Tin Oo Lwin met with the Pagoda Board of Trustees at State Pariyatti Sasana University (Mandalay) on Friday.

In his remarks, the Union Minister elaborated on the instructions of the Head of State concerning the preservation and maintenance of pagodas and religious edifices across the country, renowned as the Golden Land for its thousands of glittering, gold-covered pagodas and stupas.

Emphasizing the importance of cleanliness, pleasant surroundings, and the beauty of religious sites in ensuring the convenience and spiritual satisfaction of pilgrims from both home and abroad, the Union Minister urged all concerned to work together to uphold the nation’s prestige as a flourishing hub of the Theravada Buddha Sasana.

The Union Minister also highlighted the current tasks undertaking by the pagoda board of trustees under respective state and regional governments and provided necessary instructions.

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Union Minister for Religious Affairs U Tin Oo Lwin visited Ayeik Ma Htwet Pagoda and Phaya Ni Pagoda in Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay.

The Union Minister, accompanied by officials, offered donations to the Sayadaws, overseeing the pagodas and reviewed ongoing restoration and maintenance works. Officials reported on progress of works and additional needs for the projects. The visits aimed to support preservation of religious heritage and ensure proper upkeep of the earthquake-affected sites.

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A ceremony to donate digitized Tipitaka texts to senior monks, monastic schools, and universities was held at the State Pariyatti Sasana University in Mandalay on Friday.

Union Minister for Religious Affairs U Tin Oo Lwin attended ceremony and explained the purpose of the donation. The donation involves 51 volumes of Tipitaka texts, which were reprinted using computer technology to preserve them after older printed copies from 1958 had deteriorated. The digitization project started in January 2024 and completed in September 2025, supported by monastic schools, Buddhist universities, and donors.

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The Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees has announced that bells across the pagoda platform will be rung simultaneously as a symbol of peace during the Full Moon Day of Nayon (Maha Samaya Day) ceremony on 30 May.
As part of the Shwedagon Pagoda’s traditional 12-month seasonal festivals, the Board of Trustees will lead these celebrations on the pagoda platform. The schedule is as follows: 5 am for alms offered to the pagoda, 6 am for alms meals and offerings to Ovadacariya Sayadaws and resident monks, and 6:30 am for a Dhamma discourse at the Ancient Buddha Images Prayer Hall, followed by a water-pouring ceremony to share merit.
At 7:30 am, to commemorate the origins of Maha Samaya Day, Buddhist volunteer associations and staff will divide into two groups, representing the Kapilavutthu and Koliya clans, and they will process clockwise around the pagoda. This will be followed by a recitation of the Maha Samaya Sutta at the Chanthagyi Prayer Hall at the northwest corner, and bells across the platform will be rung.
The board of trustees cordially invites the monks and the public to participate and gain merit during the Maha Samaya Day ceremony. — MT/ZN

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