Nay Pyi Taw November 14
The prize-giving ceremony of the Diamond Jubilee examination on the 38 Blessings of Mingala Sutta and Life of Buddha of the Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) (Central) took place at Zeyathiri Villa at Konmyinttha, Yangon, this morning. Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission Life-Long Honorary Patron of YMBA Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the ceremony and gave away prizes.
First, the Senior General and party looked around the documentary photo showroom of YMBA.
Also present at the ceremony were Sayadaws and members of the Sangha, SSPC Secretary Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, union ministers, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, deputy ministers, the chair and members of YMBA, officials of various organizations, prize winners, distinguished guests and students.
The ceremony was opened by reciting namotassa three times and paying respects to the State Flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Ma Thu Thu Thantha Aung from Mawlamyine, Mon State, silver medalist of the old song contest of the 26th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions, entertained the attendees with the song Thonyaungchel.
In his address, the Senior General said since its establishment, the YMBA has been holding
the examination on the 38 Blessings of Mingala Sutta and Life of Buddha for 75 years in a row, with the original aim of propagating and promoting the race, language, religion and education, acknowledging and honouring the continuous efforts of the officials in implementing the goal without any breaks.
The history of YMBA goes in parallel with that of Myanmar’s independence struggle. The YMBA can be mentioned as the earliest national organization to lead the independence struggle and national politics in the country’s fight for independence. Established in 1906, the organization is now 119 years old.
History firmly proves that Myanmar people have strong nationalistic fervour and patriotism. Although the country lost independence, YMBA emerged in 1906 due to the united strength of the entire people. According to historical records, YMBA was reorganized as the GCBA in 1920, and could further accelerate its political movement. Later, Doh Bamar Asiayon emerged and thanks to its member thakin youths, the Thirty Comrades was founded, and it served as the foundation of Burma Independence Army (BIA), and in the end, independence was restored. In fact, the firm foundation of the independence struggle was laid by the YMBA. We can say that the history of Tatmadaw begins with BIA.
Likewise, YMBA can be said to be the cornerstone of patriotism. The word ‘Race’ is defined as the national prosperity and progress and the national cause.
All along the course of history, global countries are continuously struggling for development and sustainability. Nowadays, countries of the world including the developed ones are in a race for prioritizing the national cause.
It is essential that every citizen must have genuine patriotism for successfully serving the multiple interests of the nation. And taking into account the said essentiality, the founders of YMBA thought about the race.
Myanmar literature and language came into existence long ago, and continued to stand firmly throughout history. A person will understand the value of a language more when he is in a foreign country, and only then will he be able to fathom his own literature and language. All persons born and brought up in Myanmar must pay serious attention to their own literature and language. There are examples that the loss of culture, literature and language leads to the disappearance of a country.
As the YMBA is continuing its task of preserving language and literature, the government, on its part, is striving in all sectors for further progress of Myanmar literature and language.
It is not only in the present day that all global people live in an era of learning; since the beginning of the world, human society has been built on the foundation of knowledge. It is through knowledge that human civilization has changed and advanced. Observing developed countries shows that their prosperity and abundance of skilled people result from long-standing support for education. As the saying goes, “Material wealth is fleeting, but knowledge is a precious treasure.” Possessing broad knowledge and skills benefits not only each individual’s life, but also enables a nation rich in educated people to stand proudly on the world stage. Therefore, the State has designated KG+9 as the minimum compulsory education goal at present, and efforts are under-way to produce capable and knowledgeable human resources.
Myanmar’s education system is designed to provide a complete progression from school education to practical skills and applied knowledge. Only strong human resources equipped with such skills and knowledge can support the nation’s development and ensure long-term stability and sustainability.
The objectives set by the YMBA, which emerged more than 100 years ago as a forerunner in the country’s struggle for independence, continue to be carried forward by new generations today.
Based on the people’s enduring patriotic spirit and the challenges they have faced, the nation has had to navigate various difficult stages. Therefore, by drawing lessons from past historical events, it is important for everyone to firmly understand that this year’s National Victory Day motto “Let’s march towards a new golden nation in unity” reflects the country’s genuine need for a strong and healthy sense of national spirit at the present time.
The teachings of the Lord Buddha serve not only as guidance but also as moral principles that each individual should uphold. For Buddhists, the Thirty-Eight Blessings (Mangala Sutta) form the fundamental basis for keeping the Buddha’s guidance firmly rooted in their hearts. To ensure that these teachings remain established in the hearts of the people, the YMBA has led the organization of examinations on the Thirty-Eight Blessings and Buddhist literature since 1949. This year marks the 75th anniversary of these examinations, now known as the “Diamond Jubilee” occasion.
The ability to hold these examinations is an achievement worthy of pride for both the nation and the entire people. A distinctive feature of this year’s 75th Thirty-Eight Blessings and Buddhist Literature Examinations, unlike previous years, is that candidates were able to sit for the exams not only in Myanmar language but also in ethnic languages such as Mon and Pa-O, which is considered a welcome and commendable development. It is further encouraged that, in the coming years, candidates should also be able to take the examinations in additional ethnic languages beyond those currently included.
The YMBA, which emerged during Myanmar’s struggle for independence, has now reached its 119th year. The association’s founding objective “Support the Nationality, Language, Religion, and Education” remains alive today and continues to be carried forward by new generations as a historical responsibility. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the State is making efforts with full commitment. Likewise, all ethnic nationalities living across the country are urged to take part in nation-building tasks with a sense of personal responsibility and with the spirit of loving the nation, respecting language, safeguarding the religion, and promoting education.
YMBA Chairman U Ye Tun handed over a historically architectural mason trowel used in laying down the cornerstone of the YBMA building in Pazundaung Township of Yangon Region on 4 April 1952, Friday, 10th Waxing of Tagu, 1313 ME donated to the Defence Services Museum to Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Director of the Public Relations and Psychological Warfare of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army).
Pa-O and Mon traditional cultural dance troupes performed traditional dances.
The Senior General presented first prizes to winners in the Myanmar language (senior), Pa-O language (senior)and Mon language (junior) of the 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) 38 Blessings and Buddhism Examination organized by YMBA.
Commission Secretary Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi, and Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein gave prizes to winners in the 38 Blessings and Buddhism Examination.
Students recited the 38 Blessings and sang the Zartiman song. The Senior General and attendees enjoyed their singing activities.
After the ceremony, the Senior General cordially greeted the attendees and had a lunch together with prize winners and attendees.
