Devotees perform meritorious deeds dedicated to Lord Buddha on Abhidhamma Day

Yangon, 6 Oct — Today is the Fullmoon Day of Thadingyut (Abhidhamma Day) which is one of the significant days of Buddhists.

In the morning, Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees organized a ceremony to donate ‘soon’ to Buddha images at the Pagoda. Next, a ceremony to share merits gained for offering ‘soon’ to Buddha images was held at the prayer hall on the platform of the pagoda. It was attended by members of the Sangha, members of the pagoda board of trustees and devotees.

A Buddha Pujaniya was held at the pagoda to mark the end of Buddhist lent.

Likewise, the pagoda board of trustees offered flowers, water, lights and fruits to Sule Pagoda.

In the afternoon, members of religious associations recited Parittas and religious verses.

In the evening, members of the Sule Pagoda board of trustees and wellwishers lit 5,000 oil lamps dedicated to the Lord Buddha, on the platform of the pagoda.

At Botahtaung Kyaikdae-at Pagoda, the pagoda board of trustees offered flowers, water, lights, ‘soon’ and joss sticks to Maha Muni Buddha Image.

Religious associations offered fruits and lights to the Sule Pagoda.

To mark the Abhidhamma Day, a ceremony to present alms to Ovadaçariya Sayadaws of Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon) was held.

Wut associations recited religious verses.

Similarly, the pagoda board of trustees donated ‘soon’, flowers and water to Maha Wizaya Pagoda this morning. Five religious associations recited religious verses. In the evening, the pagoda was illuminated.

Similar ceremonies were held at Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Buddha Image, Siri Mingala Kaba Aye Pagoda, Shwe Phone Pwint Pagoda, Kyaikwaing Pagoda and Meilamu Pagoda.

On the fullmoon day of Thadingyut, Buddhists in townships of Yangon Division observed the Abhidhamma Day in their respective areas. Likewise, members of the Sangha participated in the Pavarana ceremonies. The ‘soon’ offering ceremony, ceremonies to mark the Abhidhamma Day, Pavarana ceremonies, delivering sermons and offering lights were held at pagodas, stupas and religious buildings in Yangon Division.

In the evening, housing estates, pagodas, monasteries and other religious buildings were illuminated.

National Convention delegates from Kachin, Chin States arrive

Yangon, 6 Oct — Delegates of Kachin State and Chin State to the National Convention arrived here by air today.

They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Chairman of National Convention Convening, Invitation and Accommodation Sub-Committee Col Htein Lin and members. Delegates were transported to Nyaunghnapin Camp in Hmawby Township where the NC will be reconvened.

Myanmar’s internal affairs can be solved within the nation
Using UN as a tool, US-initiated decision designed to impede ongoing National Convention

Nay Pyi Taw, 6 Oct — The Rakhine Peace Organization on 23 September issued the declaration on its stance on the decision to put Myanmar on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council.

The following is the full text of the declaration:


The declaration of Rakhine Peace Organization on its stance on decision to put Myanmar on UNSC agenda


23 September 2006


1. Due to the submission of the permanent US representative, a decision was made on 15 September 2006 to put Myanmar on the agenda of the UNSC.

2. It was a one-sided accusation of the US that Myanmar is posing a threat to regional stability. Myanmar’s internal affairs can be solved within the nation, and it will not harm any foreign country. Indeed, the US is turning a blind eye to development of the nation that Myanmar people enjoy.

3. Using the UN as a tool, the US-initiated decision is designed to

(a) impede the ongoing National Convention with the participation of representatives from all walks of life in line with the seven-step Road Map, and

(b) undermine prevailing peace and stability, prevalence of law and order, national unity, sector-wise developments and democratization process of the State.

4. As such, Rakhine Peace Organization hereby declares that the US interference in Myanmar’s affairs is totally unacceptable, and the organization strongly condemns such acts of the US, using the UN as a tool.

Signed
(Saw Tun Oo)
Chairman
Rakhine Peace Organization
Rakhine State

H&T Minister meets with service personnel in Mandalay

Nay Pyi Taw, 5 Oct — Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Soe Naing together with Director-General U Htay Aung of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism met with service personnel of the department and the enterprise under the ministry at Innwa Hotel in Mandalay on 3 October morning and gave necessary instructions.

In the afternoon, the minister inspected Minn Kyan Sit (3) vessel of Adventure Myanmar Travel Agency at Myanada Jetty and Pantaw (2) vessel of Tawwin Travel Agency and Road to Mandalay vessel of Myanmar Hotels and Cruiser Co Ltd at Shwekyatyet Jetty.

Academic functions at universities and basic education schools inspected

Yangon, 5 Oct — Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein gave instructions on school inspection tasks and raising of pass rate in matriculation examination to the township education officer, assistant TEOs and school heads at Basic Education High School No 1 in Pyawbwe on 29 September morning.

At BEHS No 3 in Meiktila, the minister met with educational personnel and gave necessary instructions. At Meiktila University, the minister heard reports on learning of students and conducting of research work presented by Rector U Hla Thein. The minister also inspected BEHSs in Thedaw of Wundwin Township and Hanmyintmo of Kyaukse Township.

On 30 September, the minister met with the TEO and the headmaster at BEHS No 2 in Chanayethazan Township and gave instructions on school inspection tasks and raising of pass rate in matriculation examination. He inspected BEPS No 78 in Amarapura, and BEHS No 1 and No 15 Post-Primary School in Sagaing.

At Sagaing Institute of Education, the minister gave instructions on management matters to officials and viewed the convocation hall. Later, the minister met with educational staff of Mandalay Division in BEHS No 8 in Aungmyethazan Township.

SWD, RRD hold coordination meeting

Nay Pyi Taw, 6 Oct — Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe attended the coordination meeting of the Social Welfare Department and the Relief and Resettlement Department at the ministry on 4 October.

The minister explained progress of political, economic, health, education and social fields of the State, and instructed them to cooperate with the local people in carrying out their tasks and abide by rules and regulations of service personnel.

State and Division heads of SWD reported on accomplishments of social welfare services and future plans.

Also present at the meeting were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, directors-general of SWD and RRD, the head of office and officials.

Construction Minister inspects road works on Haka-Gangaw Road

Yangon, 6 Oct — Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun on 1 October inspected road works carried out on Haka-Gangaw Road and assisted in upgrading tasks for the road.

Haka-Gangaw Road is 77 miles and 3 furlongs long and connects Chin State (North) and main land, and road works are being carried out by Public Works to widen and upgrade it to a tarred one. On completion, the road is expected to withstand 40 tons of load. So far, 13 miles and 6 furlongs have been tarred and 63 miles and 5 furlongs have been gravelled. Conduit pipes and bridges are also now under construction on the road.

During his inspection tour, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun went to the construction site at the mile post No 39 of Haka-Gangaw Road and assisted in upgrading of the road. At the briefing hall, officials reported to him on condition of Haka-Gangaw Road, upgrading tasks for the road and stockpiling of gravel.

Fifth Buddhist Synod on DVD-ROM in circulation

Yangon, 6 Oct — A ceremony to mark the successful completion of storing stone inscriptions on Fifth Buddhist Synod on DVD-ROM and circulation, jointly organized by Amarapura Maha Gandayon Monastery Sitagu International Buddhist Academy and Alpha Computer Co, was held at Traders Hotel this afternoon. It was attended by Sitagu Sayadaw Maha Dhamma Kathika Bahujana Hitadhara Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Dr Nanissara (D Litt, Ph D) and members of the Sangha, Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, departmental heads, officials and guests.

Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Nanissara explained on holding ceremony and Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung congratulated on completion of the work.

Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Ashin Janapati of Maha Gandayon Monastery presented the DVDs to the minister, Rector Sayadaw of International Tha-ravada Buddhist Missionary University and officials.

The ceremony came to an end with concluding remarks by the Sitagu Sayadaw.

Medical equipment donated to Jivitadana Hospital

Yangon, 5 Oct — Medical equipment donated by Japan was handed over to Jivitadana Sangha Hospital in Bahan Township this morning.

Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chairmen of the Hospital Administrative Board, the secretary, members of Administrative Board of the hospital, specialists and the Minister Consular of the Japanese Embassy.

First, Vice-Chairman-1 of the Administrative Board U Nyunt extended greetings and Japanese Minister Consular Mr Tetsuro Amano explained the purpose of the donation.

Next, the Minister Consular gave documents on the equipment to the vice-chairman-1 of the Administrative Board. Vice-Chairman-2 U Than Aung of the Administrative Board spoke words of thanks.

Civil Service Department marks founding anniversary

Nay Pyi Taw, 6 Oct — Civil Service Department of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board celebrated its 51th founding anniversary on 4 October here.

Chairman of the board Dr Than Nyun delivered an address at the celebration held at the Civil Service Department here. Also present on the occasion were Member of CSSTB U Nyi Tun, U Kyaw Aung, Director-General of Civil Service Department U Kyaw Zan Hla, deputy directors-general, directors and employees of the department.

Dr Than Nyun and officials presented awards to outstanding employees of the department and viewed the booths displayed at the department to mark the anniversary.

100th Ovada giving ceremony of Ledi Vipassana Branch held

Yangon, 6 Oct — Under the aegis of Joint-Secretary-1 of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Dwipitaka Dwipikatakovida Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa, a ceremony to mark the 100th Ovada giving ceremony of Ledi Vipassana Branch was held at the Ledi Vipassana Monastery on Pyay Road in Sangyoung Township this morning.

Devotees and wellwishers took the Nine Precepts from Chairman of Sangyoung Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Nay Nat Tha Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavaçaka Bhaddanta Janaka. They donated alms to members of the Sangha.

Vice-Chairman of SSMNC Dawei Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Sayadaw Bhaddanta Arçinnabhivamsa, Joint-Secretary-1 Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jagara-bhivamsa, Sangyoung Hanthawady Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Kammathanaçariya Bhaddanta Javana and Htaukkyant ChaungU Sayadaw Ashin Dham-marakkhita (ChaungU Maung Sanda) gave Ovadakatha.

Chairman of Ledi Vipassana Propagation Organization (Yangon) U Nan Nwe supplicated on tasks of the organization.

A total of 68 meditation branches under the Ledi Vipassana Propagation Organization are located in Monywa, Pyinmana and Yangon. The branches opened 341 times of meditation courses, and so far, 51,451 people have practised the meditation in courses.

Tat U Monastery Sayadaw back from US

Yangon, 6 Oct — Presiding Nayaka of Mogok Vipasana Branch-77 Missionary Sayadaw Maha Kammathanacariya Bhaddanta Saddhamma Kittisasra of Aung San Tawya Tat U Monastery in Insein Township accompanied by layperson U Soe Aung arrived back here by air on 3 October after delivering sermons on vipassana at Queen, New York City, the United Nations Headquarters, ABBA in Brooklyn, the Myanmar Embassy in New York, California, Friesno, Los Angelese, Buddha Pujayniya ceremony at the UN, Ohio, New Jersey, Chicago and Rock Away from 7 July to 30 September.

Yangon Div WAO donates medicines, cash to centenarians

Yangon, 6 Oct — Yangon Division Women’s Affairs Organization donated medicines and provided cash assistance to centenarians here today.

At the donation ceremony held at the office of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Patron of Yangon Division Women’s Affairs Organization Daw Mar Mar Wai and members of Yangon Division WAO paid respects to the aged and presented medicine worth K 794,500, cash and gifts to them.

After the ceremony, they observed the providing of health care services to centenarians.

Mayor inspects sanitation tasks in Yangon City

Yangon, 5 Oct—Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin together with the officials inspected the tasks of upgrading Yangon City.

The mayor looked into dredging of drains along Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, repaving of Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yankin Road and Mindhamma Road near Kyaikwaing Pagoda Road in Mayangon Township and upgrading of Waizayanta Road in South Okkalapa Township.

Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin also inspected laying of concrete floor undertaken by YCDC in the compound of Myanmar Convention Centre.

Cash donated to funds of Traffic Rules Exhibition and Competitions

Yangon, 6 Oct — Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hla Htay Win attended the ceremony to donate cash to the funds of the Traffic Rules Exhibition and Competitions held in conjunction with the 118th meeting of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport at the hall of Road Transport Administration Depart-ment in South Okkalapa Township yesterday afternoon.

The commander accepted K 17,845,000 from wellwishers. Chairman of the Supervisory Committee Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Kyaw Kyaw Tun spoke words of thanks.

At the meeting of the supervisory commit-tee, the commander delivered an address. The deputy commander and officials of subcom-mittees reported on traffic rules enforcement tasks.

Later, the com-mander gave necessary instructions to officials.