Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Patron of Bhamo Monastery in Maha Nwesin Ward of Mahaaungmye Township in Mandalay Region Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Bhaddanta Kumara Bhivamsa, aged 94, vasa 74, passed away at 11:11 pm on 25 May.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing paid homage to the remains of the Bhamo Sayadaw and then paid obeisance to Presiding Patron of Masoeyein Taikthit Monastery in Mandalay Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Vasettha Bhivamsa and supplicated holding the final rites of the Chairman Sayadaw.
The Senior General welcomed members of the Sangha led by the Secretary of SSMNC Presiding Patron of Thanlyin’s Minkyaung Pahtamapyan Buddhist Learning Centre Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivamsa who paid homage to remains of the Chairman Sayadaw.
The Senior General presented supplication to Secretary Sayadaw, saying that the long-lasting Sayadaw has served about 13 years as the Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee since 2010. Sayadaw served for the sake of Buddhism. Arrangements have been made to hold the final rites for Sayadaw at the State level on a grander scale. The Senior General expressed his sadness for the demise of Bhamo Sayadaw as the tremendous loss of the Sasana and the State.
The Senior General presented cash donated by the State Administration Council and Tatmadaw members and families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) for holding the final rites for Bhamo Sayadaw to the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture.
Chairman of Myanmar Economic Corporation Lt-Gen Nyo Saw and Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Soe Min Oo presented cash donated by MEC and Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Co Ltd for the final rites ceremony to the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture.
The Senior General and party paid homage to the remains of Bhamo Sayadaw.
Bhamo Sayadaw was born to parents U Po Thit and Daw Aye Thaik in Yabe Village of Taungtha Township on Monday, the 14th waxing of Tawthalin, 1291 ME. He was initiated into novice hood on Monday, the 8th waxing of Waso, 1304 ME and ordained on Monday, the 10th waxing of Tabodwe, 1310 ME. Sayadaw secured Pariyatti Sasana Hita Dhamma Cariya, Vamtamsaka, BA (Mandalay University), Sasana Dhaja Pavara Dhamma Cariya titles in 1315 ME, Pali Siromani title in 1318 ME, D Litt offered by State Pariyatti Sasana Universities Administration Central Body in 1378 ME, Doctor of Letters (D Litt) by Yangon University in 2003 and PhD by Sehan University of Korea in 2016. Sayadaw served as a member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha from the first to the sixth till March 2010, the Committee Secretary from March to July 2010 and the Committee Chairman from July 2010 to date. The government offered Abhidhaja Maha Saddhamma Jotika title to the Sayadaw in 2009 and the Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru title in 2011.
Arrangements are being made to hold the State-level final rites ceremony for Sayadaw on a grand scale in line with the guidance of the Prime Minister as the demise of the Chairman Sayadaw was an unprecedented loss for the Sasana and the State. — MNA/TTA
