Religious Event : Final Rites for the Late Pali University Sayadaw

A Final Rites for the Venerable Sayadaw Saddanta Vimala Buddhi  was held on Sunday at Mingala Zeyon Monastery of Pali University in Pyinmana.

The Sayadaw, who was the Leading Patron of the Monastery and Ovadaceriya of Uppatasandhi Pagoda, passed away at the age of 79 with 59 years in monkhood on April 9, at 1:19 p.m. Vice Chairman of the State Sandha Maha Nayaka Committee, Sasana Waiponla Monastery Sayadaw of Meiktila led the ceremony, and the congregation headed by Vice President U Nyo Saw received Five Precepts from the Sayadaw.

This was followed by reading out of a biography of the late Sayadaw, and message of condolences by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Nay Pyi Taw Sangha Nayaka Committee and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

After administering the religious Gadha and rituals,  the congregation donated offertories to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha, and shared the merits gained. Afterwards, a final apology message was delivered and the Vice President and congregation paid their last respects to the late Sayadaw.

Then, the remains of the late Sayadaw was conveyed to the Tabaung Ground of Uppatasandhi Pagoda where the cremation site is located, by the Karawaik barge. The final rites continued with a ceremonial program.

Twelve disciple monks first carried the remains from the Karawaik barge to the cremation platform, followed by relatives and members of the funeral committee who placed them on a ceremonial floral carriage. Then, the State Central Welfare Committee Patron Sayadaw of Mandalay Masoeyein Sayadaw delivered a final apology message on behalf of the Vice President and attendees.

Afterward, members of the Sangha led the recitation of religious verses, followed by three chants of “Sadhu.” The funeral concluded with the cremation of the Sayadaw’s remains according to Buddhist rites. The Sayadaw was born in Ywa Shay Village of Wuntwin Township in Mandalay Region and entered the monkhood in 1318 Myanmar Era.

He studied Buddhist scriptures under several renowned teachers and received the titlem Sasanadhaja Dhammacariya . He later served in many important religious positions, including township, central Sangha, and national-level  responsibilities.

He also served as the Ovadaceriya Sayadaw for Uppatasanti Pagoda and other pagodas in Nay Pyi Taw and Pyinmana. In recognition of his service to Buddhism, he was awarded the titles “Aggamaha Pandita” in 2014 and “Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja” in 2018. The Sayadaw passed away on April 9, 2026, at the age of 79. His ash immersion ceremony will be held at the Paunglaung River Jetty on April 13 at 6:30 a.m.