Paying Homage to Sayadaws: MORAC UM pays homage to Tipitaka Ovadacariya Sayadaws

The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, through the Department of Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, is conducting the 78th Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida Selection Examination (oral recitation and written examinations).

The examination is being held from December 21, 2025, to January 22, 2026, at the Chatthasangayana MahaPāsāṇa Cave, located at ThirimingalaKaba Aye Hill, Mayangone Township, Yangon Region.

The oral recitation examination was conducted for a total of 18 days, from December 21, 2025, to January 13, 2026, following a schedule of three consecutive days of examination followed by one day of rest. Out of 261 registered monks, 155 monks successfully completed the full oral recitation exam. In order to coordinate the announcement of the list of monks who passed the oral recitation examination, a coordination meeting was held on January 14.

At the meeting, nine Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida Ovadācariya Sayadaws were respectfully received by Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, the Director General of the Department of Religious Affairs, and responsible officials, who offered donation items and cash. It was also announced that the written examination for the Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida selection will continue from January 15 to January 19.

In the afternoon, the Union Minister, accompanied by responsible officials, inspected the ongoing upgrading and renovation works (Phase II) of the historic monastic buildings associated with the Sixth Buddhist Council. Officials from the Special Buildings Task Force (2) of Department of Buildings under the Ministry of Construction, provided a briefing to the Union Minister on the progress of the Phase II upgrading and renovation works of the four historic monastic buildings.

Following the briefing, the Union Minister stated that since these four monastic buildings are historic structures constructed at the time of the Sixth Buddhist Council, the upgrading and renovation of the monks’ residential rooms and the monastic buildings must be carried out in accordance with the guidance of the Head of State. He emphasized that only high-quality materials that meet prescribed standards must be used, that the works must be completed within the designated timeframe, that all renovation activities must be systematically documented and that proper maintenance must be carried out to ensure the long-term sustainability and durability of the buildings.