Final rites held for State Ovadacariya Shwethuwun Sayadaw

The final rites of Venerable Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agg Maha Saddhamma Jotika Dr Bhaddanta Saddhiya State Ovadacariya Sayadaw Presiding Nayaka of Ponnya Neinmitayama Shwethuwun Monastery took place at the monastery yesterday.
The ceremony was attended by Sayadaws led by State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Vice-Chairman Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Bhaddanta Sitranyana, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Nyunt Win Swe and relevant officials.
First, they recited Theva Theinkhaya Annissati Gatha to start the occasion. They observed the Five Precepts from State Ovadacariya Sayadaw of the Yelal Monastery Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Bhaddanta Larvavata. Then, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ketumala, officials and disciples covered the remains of the Sayadaw with the diamond velvet.
State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Joint Secretary Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganda Vasaka Pandita Bhaddanta Sandha Vamsa Linkaya Vivamsa of the Pali Kayi Monastery of Shwebo Township read out the message of repentance sent by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, while Union Minister U Ko Ko read another one sent by the ministry and Agga Maha Siri Sudama Mani Zotadhara U Sein Hla Win read the message sent by the Buddhist Literature Association. Then, Union Minister U Ko Ko and the party made donations to Sayadaws and listened to the sermons delivered by State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Vice-Chair Presiding Sayadaw of the Thiho Pariyatti Monastery of Kyaukme Township of Shan State Dr Bhaddanta Sandha Nasaya and shared the merits.
Then, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sandha Thiri of the Zina Wahdi Monastery in Thingangyun Township read the biography of the Shwethuwun Sayadaw.
After the set procedures, the remains of the late Sayadaw were conveyed by the Karaweik decorated float to the Thuwunna Bhumi in Thingangyun Township, where the crematorium was built.
When the remains of the late Sayadaw were conveyed to the crematorium, his three disciples Sayadaws pressed the button to burn the remains. — MNA