Religious Affairs: PM pays homage to late Bhamo Sayadaw

Bhamo Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Kumara Bhivamsa, Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, 94 years old, vasa 74, peacefully passed away at Bhamo Monastery in Mahaaungmye Township in Mandalay at 11:11 pm on 25 May.

The body of the late Sayadaw was kept for worshipping at the Bhamo monastery and Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Joint Secretary of the SAC Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Mandalay region Chief Minister, senior military officers, and officials paid homage to the body of late Bhamo Sayadaw on Friday afternoon.

After paying homage to the late Sayadaw, the Prime Minister and party paid homage to Masoe Yein monastery Presiding Sayadaw Buddhanta Wah Saehta Bhivamsa and supplicated matters to be held for the final rites of the Sayadaw and fulfilled the needs and donated offertories.

Later, the Prime Minister greeted Sayadaws and monks led by Thanlyin Minkyaung Pahtamapyan teaching monastery Presiding Sayadaw, the secretary of the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee Dr. Buddhanta Sandhima Bhivamsa who came from Yangon to pay homage to the late Bhamo Sayadaw. 

Later, the Prime Minister said that the late Bhamo Sayadaw has served for nearly 13 years as the Chairman of the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee and the State Sangha Central Working Committee since 2010. Sayadaw served outstandingly religious affairs when he took responsibilities.

Arrangements have been made to hold the final rites of the Sayadaw in a grand manner at the state level event. The Prime Minister expressed that the passing away of venerable Sayadaw is a great loss for the religion and the nation.

He then added that arrangements will be made systematically for monks, nuns and people to be able to pay homage conveniently to the late Sayadaw and donated offertories.

Then, the Prime Minister presented cash donated by the State Administration Council and the families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) to the Union Minister for Religious Affairs for the final rites of the Sayadaw.

Later, the Chairman of Myanmar Economic Corporation and the Adjutant General presented cash donated by the MEC and Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company Limited to the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture for the event.

The Prime Minister and party then listened religious sermons from Masoe Yein Taik Thit Presiding Sayadaw and shared the merits gained.

The Prime Minister and party then paid homage to the late Bhamo Sayadaw.  Sayadaw was born to parents U Po Thit and Daw Aye Thaik in Yabe Village in Taungtha Township of Myingyan District in Mandalay Region. Sayadaw was offered Agga Maha Pandita, Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita, Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru and Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika  titles as well as D Litt by the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities management central committee, Yangon University and Sehan University of Korea.

Sayadaw served as Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee-SSMNC as well as had served duties of Pro-Rector at the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University.