Inspection of renovations: MoRAC UM inspected renovation works in Bagan

The Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture, U Tin Oo Lwin, conducted an inspection on the morning of January 12, to review the condition of ancient religious buildings and old reservoirs in the Bagan Cultural Heritage Zone.

The inspection focused on the preservation and maintenance efforts, cleanliness, beautification activities, and the implementation of the guidance of the Head of State.The Union Minister and party visited the sites managed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, including the ancient buildings numbered (752) that were being preserved, the Buddhist monasteries, temples, pagodas, and reservoirs, and the preservation work carried out at the Hsinphyu Shin Complex, which was once a Buddhist university from the Bagan era.

The relevant authorities provided explanations about the history of the Hsinphyu Shin Complex and its significance as a Theravada Buddhist university, and the Union Minister gave further instructions regarding the necessary actions.Later, the Chairman of the Nyaung-U District Administration Body explained that the Hsinphyu Shin Complex has been designated as a smoke-free area since 2015.

The process began with five locations and has expanded to 102 smoke-free areas. As a result, the complex participated in the ASEAN SMOKE FREE AWARD 2023 and was awarded the third prize in August 2024. The Union Minister instructed that such actions should continue.

Additionally, the inspection revealed that there are a total of 3,837 ancient buildings within the Bagan World Heritage Area, and cleaning and beautification work is being carried out across 11 designated zones. The Union Minister emphasized the need to maintain ongoing cleanliness and ensure that the cleaning work in each designated area is completed within a specific timeframe.

The Union Minister also conducted inspections of the Amana Reservoir and Shwehti Reservoir, as well as the Shwe Moke-Htaw, Phaung Taw Oo, and Ratana Minzu pagodas. The Union Minister has directed that repairs and preservation work should be carried out promptly without damaging the original structures.

The consecration ceremony of the Uppatasanti Pagoda and merits sharing ceremony was at the pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday and attended by the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, Nay Pyi Taw Chairman U Than Tun Oo, Deputy Minister Daw Nu Mra Zan, Nay Pyi Taw Council members, Senior officials and well-wishers.First, the members of Sangha consecrated the pagoda followed by the observation of nine preceptes of the congregation from the Presiding Sayadaw of Pauk-Myaing monastery, taking Paritta Suttas recited by the members of Sangha and offering the donations to the Sangha.

Next, the Union Minister U Tin Oo Lwin and Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman U Than Tun Oo supplicated the religious matters. Then, the congregation took the sermon delivered by the Presiding Sayadaw of Thiri-Mingalar We-Gyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik and shared the martis gained, it’s learnt.