Final rites held for State Ovadacariya Chairman of Shwegyin Nikaya Dhipati Maha Nayaka Dhamma Senapati 15th Shwegyin Sangharaja Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vijjota of Vijjotayon Monastery

The final rites of late State Ovadacariya Chairman of Shwegyin Nikaya Dhipati Maha Nayaka Dhamma Senapati 15th Shwegyin Sangharaja Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Presiding Nayaka Bhaddanta Vijjota of Vijjotayon Monastery in Mayangon Township of Yangon Region took place at Silavisodhani Dhamma Singi Buddhist Ordination Hall of the monastery yesterday.
The event was attended by members of the Sangha led by Shwegyin Nikaya Upa Ukkatha Maha Nayaka Joint Shwegyin Sangharaja Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Sitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nyanissara, State Administration Council Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Lt-Gen Thet Pon from the office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Nyunt Win Swe, Deputy Minister U Aye Tun and officials.
First, the Sayadaw recited Sabbe Sankhara Aniccati Gatha to start the occasion.
Then, the attendees took Five Precepts from Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jotika of Sasana Alinnyaung Monastery of Dawbon Township.
SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe and congregation covered the remains of the Sayadaw by diamond velvet.
They then donated alms to the Sayadaws.
Afterwards, Yangon Region Sangha Nayaka (Shwegyin) Committe Member Presiding Sayadaw Maha Ganthavasaka Pandita Bhaddanta Candasiri of Sasana Wunsaung Monastery read out the biography of Vijjotayon Sayadaw.
Similarly, State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Visuddhasara Bhivamsa of Sasana Zawtayon Monastery read the Maha Theragurupuja Sanvejaniya and Uyojana Gatha of Shwegyin Nikaya Upa Ukkatha Maha Nayaka Joint Shwegyin Sangharaja Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Rector Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nandamala Bhivamsa.
Vice-President of State Sangha Maha Nayaka committee Agga Maha Pandita Presiding Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Candanasara of Ceylon Buddhist Learning Centre in Kyaukme Township of Shan State (North) the message of repentance sent by State Sangha Maha Nayaka committee while Shwegyin Nikaya Secretary Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Odatasiri Bhivamsa of Aweiya Yama Yankin Monastery of Mandalay read the one sent by Shwegyin Nikaya centre.
Then, Nayaka of Tipitaka Maha Gandhayon Monastery Shwe Nantha Tipitakadhara Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vasettha Lankara of Mingaladon Township read the Sanvegagitika Gatha of Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sasanavara (Dhammacariya, M.A) of Sein Yadana Dhammacariya Monastery of Dagon Township.
Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko read out his message of repentance dedicated to the demise of the Sayadaw.
The SAC Secretary and the congregation listened to the sermon on remorse delivered by Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara and the assembly shared merits gained.
The remains of the late Sayadaw were conveyed onto the Karaweik decorated float and then to Thuwunna Bhumi Even Park in Thingangyun Township, where the crematorium was built.
Then, the Sangha and congregation paid homage to the remains of Sayadaw going around the crematorium anticlockwise three times. Next, the remains of the Sayadaw were incinerated. The officials conveyed the ashes of the late Sayadaw to the monastery. — MNA