A ceremony to hold final rites of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Chairman Presiding Patron of Bhamo Monastery in Mahanwesin Ward of Maha Aungmyay Township Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Dr Bhaddanta Kumara Bhivamsa, aged 94, vasa 74, who passed away at 11:11 pm on 25 May was held at the monastery yesterday afternoon.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and congregation took the Five Precepts from Secretary of the SSMNC Presiding Patron of Thanlyin Minkyaung Pahtamapyan Buddhist Learning Centre Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivamsa.
The Senior General, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung and Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ko Ko Oo covered the diamond velvet over the remains of Sayadaw.
The Secretary Sayadaw read the message of Samvega sent by the SSMNC. The Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture read the message of condolences of the ministry. An official from the region government read the messages of condolences sent by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and the Chairman of Sri Lankan Amarapura Sangha Council. Yangon Catholic Archbishop Cardinal Charles Bo read the message of condolences sent by Pope Francis. U Wunna Shwe read the message of condolences sent by the Islamic Religious Affairs Council, and an official of the region government read the message of condolences by the Buddhist Association of China.
The Senior General and wife offered alms to the Thanlyin Minkyaung Sayadaw.
Presiding Patron of Mandalay Masoeyein Taikthit Agga Maha Pandita Maha Dhammakathika Bahujana Hitadhara Bhaddanta Vasettha Bhivamsa delivered a Samvega Katha whereas the Thanlyin Minkyaung Sayadaw shared merits gained.
The master of ceremonies read the biography of the Bhamo Sayadaw.
Then, eight disciples of the Sayadaw, eight leaders led by the Senior General, eight members of the leading committee and eight relatives conveyed the remains of Sayadaw to the decorated float and then to the incineration chamber in Chanmyathazi Township.
The Senior General and congregation paid homage to the remains of Sayadaw. Then, members of the Sangha pressed the button to cremate the remains.
The Bhamo Sayadaw has served as Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee for some 13 years. He was born to U Bo Thit and Daw Aye Thaik in Yabe Village of Taungtha Township on 14th Waxing of Tawthalin 1291 ME. The Sayadaw was ordained on 10 waxing of Tabodwe 1310 ME. The Sayadaw received many religious titles offered at home and abroad. The Sayadaw served as member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha from first to sixth times till March 2010, as Secretary of the SSMNC from March to July 2010 and Chairman from July 2010 to date. The Sayadaw also served as Chancellor of the State Pariyatti Sangha Universities.
The government offered the Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika title to the Bhamo Sayadaw in 2009 and the Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru title in 2011.
The ashes of the Sayadaw will set adrift into the water of the Ayeyawady River at Mayanchan Port in Mandalay on the morning of 7 June. —MNA/TTA
