Nay Pyi Taw May 18
A ceremony to lay cornerstone of the convocation hall of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University (ITBMU), Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, in Mayagon Township, Yangon Region was held this morning.
Present to pay respects to Sayadaws led by Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vasehtabhivamsa, Secretary of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee University Deputy Chancellor Maha Nayaka of Masoe Yein Taik Thit Monastery in Maha Aungmyay Township Mandalay Region Padhana Nayaka of Dhammathamiddha Monastery, State Oavadacariya ITBMU Oavadacariya Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Agga Maha Pandita Maha Dhammkakhtika Bahujana Hitadhara Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara, and Rector of ITBMU Agga Maha Pandita Maha Dhammakaktika Bahujana Hitadhara Dr Bhaddanta Chekinda were the main donor, Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla and family, Joint SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and wife, SAC members and wives, union ministers and wives, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Zaw Hein, the Yangon mayor, Yangon Region cabinet members, departmental officials and donors.
The first part of the ceremony was held by reciting namotassa three times and the congregation led by the Senior General and wife received the Five Precepts from the SSMNC Secretary Sayadaw.
Devotees presented the Yadana foundation stones, and necessary auspicious equipment including pans and mason’s trowels to the monks who recited Paritta.
The congregation including the Senior General and wife, SAC members and wives, union ministers and wives presented offertories to Sayadaws. Sitagu Sayadaw delivered a sermon and the congregation shared the merits gained.
In the second part, the master of ceremonies read out the agenda and at the auscipious time, the main donor Senior General Min Aung Hlaing laid the ruby cornerstone at the place which will be the centre of the convocation hall. At that moment, Sitagu Sayadaw recited religious verses. The SAC Joint Secretary, union ministers and donors laid cornerstones at the respective places. The main donor fixed the ruby cornerstone in its place and sprinkled scented water on it. Sayadaws, the congregation led by the main donor first recited religious verses and then Buddha sasanmaciyam tihtatu three times to conclude the ceremony.
The Senior General and wife threw confetti to mark the success of the ceremony.
The Senior General and wife and attendees offered day meal to Sayadaws.
Under the leadership of the ITBMU rector Sayadaw, plans were adopted to build an international level convocation hall for the university. The main donor, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, wife, and family, and other wellwishers contributed donations for the project. The four-storey reinforced concrete convocation hall will be 204 feet long, 154 feet wide and 93 feet six inches high. It will have lifts, parking lots, multipurpose hall, library, lecture hall, office, and hostels for visitor monks. International level graduation ceremonies can be held for up to 700 monks at the convocation hall.
