MoRAC Union Minister arrives back from Makutarama’s centenary celebration in Sri Lanka

The delegation led by Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin returned to Yangon on 23 August from Sri Lanka, where they attended the 100th anniversary celebration of the Makutarama Myanmar Buddhist Monastery.
This monastery was established by Myanmar Buddhist Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vinaya Lankara, and the delegation also participated in other religious ceremonies in Colombo from 20 to 22 August.
On 20 August, the centenary ceremony of the Makutarama Myanmar Monastery was attended by monks and nuns led by the Vice-Chair of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Union Minister U Tin Oo Lwin, the Minister for Transport and Information of Sri Lanka, the Myanmar Ambassador to Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar, and donors. The ceremony was opened by Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara, Chancellor of the Sitagu International Buddhist Academies and 16th Sangharaja of Shwegyin Gana, the Rector of the Shan State Buddhist University Oxford Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Dhammasami, and Union Minister U Tin Oo Lwin.
All attendees initially observed the Five Precepts from the Vice-Chair of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Dr Bhaddanta Candanasara. The gratitude of the monastery’s founder Sayadaw was read and praised, and Sri Lanka’s Minister for Transport and Information Dr Bandula Gunawardana delivered an appreciation speech. Union Minister U Tin Oo Lwin expressed a desire to enhance bilateral cooperation in religious affairs. Following this, donors presented offerings to members of the Sangha, and gifts were exchanged with the monastery trustees.
In the evening, the Union Minister visited the Myanmar Embassy in Colombo, met embassy staff, and encouraged them to serve the country with loyalty while contributing to the Buddha Sasana.
On 21 August, the delegation visited the Buddha Tooth Relic Chamber in Kandy City, made a donation, and also visited the Kandy Myanmar Monastery, meeting Sayadaw Bhaddanta Acinna. They further visited Malayazanapok, Aloka Rock Mountain, and Shin Maha Buddha Gosa Cave, where the Fourth Buddha Synod was convened by 500 Buddhist Arahats led by Ashin Maha Dhamma Rakkhita in the Sasana 450.
On 22 August, the delegation visited the Kelaniya Ordination Hall in Kelaniya City, making offerings to the presiding Sayadaw of Razamahavihara Monastery. On the afternoon of 22 August, they attended the ceremony where the Theravumsa Lankarama Maha Ganacariya Saddhamma Kittisiri Title was presented to Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara at the Kawte Buddhist Federation. — MNA/TMT