70th Anniversary of 6th Buddhist Council: President attended and supplicated religious affairs

The 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council (Chattha Sangayana) Victory Celebration was held at the Maha Pasana Cave Ordination Hall, on Kabar Aye Hill, Mayangone Township, Yangon, at 7:00 AM on the full moon day of Kason, 1388 ME (April 30, 2026).

As per the program, first, the Three Pitakas were carried on a sacred white elephant named "Yati Mala" and paraded clockwise around the Maha Pasana Cave Ordination Hall amidst celestial and royal pageantry.

Afterwards, the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, opened the commemorative stone plaque for the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Synod by pressing a button and sprinkled scented water on it.

Then, the sacred white elephant carrying the Three Pitakas was welcomed by the President and the High ranking officials. The Union Minister for Religious Affairs, U Tin Oo Lwin, received the Pitaka scriptures from the back of the sacred white elephant and placed them as an offering in front of the Buddha image inside the Maha Pasana Cave Ordination Hall.

After the President and officials had taken their places inside the Great Cave, eight distinguished Sayadaws were ceremonially invited, led by the Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru, Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhamma Jotika, Dr. Bhaddanta Candimabhivamsa and the Sangharaja of the Shwegyin Nikaya, Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru, Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhamma Jotika, Mahadhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara, Sitagu Sayadaw Dr. Bhaddanta Ñanissara.

Following this, the eight Sayadaws lit oil lamps as an offering.

Then, the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Sixth Buddhist Synod was opened by reciting "Namo Tassa" three times, followed by a musical tribute of three verses of the song "Htu Ma Char Nar", accompanied by a traditional harp.

After that, eight large bells surrounding the Ordination Hall were struck simultaneously nine times.

Subsequently, a documentary film about the Sixth Buddhist Synod was screened.

Next, the audience led by the President received the Nine Precepts from the Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Dr. Bhaddanta Candimabhivamsa.

Then, the audience led by the President respectfully listened to the recitation of the Metta Sutta Paritta by the local and international sangha who had arrived for the ceremony.

Afterwards, the audience led by the President respectfully listened to the (Saraniya Ovada Katha) delivered by the Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Dr. Bhaddanta Candimabhivamsa.

Next, the audience respectfully listened to the (Saraniya Ovada Katha) delivered by the Sangharaja of the Shwegyin  Nikaya, Sitagu Sayadaw Dr. Bhaddanta Ñanissara.

Then, the Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandagarika Bhaddanta Vayamindabhivamsaand the Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandagarika Bhaddanta Pannyavamsabhivamsa were invited to the dais.

Afterwards, with the permission of the Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, who presided as the chair of the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council (Chattha Sangayana) Victory Celebration, the two Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandagarika Sayadaws performed the question-and-answer recitation of the Vinaya Pitaka according to the Sangayana tradition.

Then, the 15 members of Sangha recited the Vinaya Pitaka in unison.

Afterward, the President U Min Aung Hlaing supplicated the religious affairs regarding the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council (Chattha Sangayana) Victory Celebration.

Following the initial proceedings, congratulatory messages were read by the Sayadaw of Ma Soe Yein Taikthit Monastery, in Sein Pan Ward, Maha Aung Myay Township, Mandalay Region, the Sayadaw of Maha Gandhayon Monastery in Sin Swai Put Ward, Amarapura Township and the Anunayaka Sayadaw of the Siam Nikaya Kotte Chapter from Sri Lanka.

Subsequently, the President and his wife, the Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw and his wife, the Speaker of the Amyotha Hluttaw and his wife, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services and his wife, and Union Ministers offered the offertories to the venerable Sayadaws.

The congregation then listened to a sermon delivered by the Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Dhaja Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Bhaddanta Vasethabhivamsa Maha Thera. After the sermon, the participants performed the pouring water to share the merits gained from the donations, successfully concluding the 70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council (Chattha Sangayana) Victory Celebration.

Following the main ceremony, an opening event for a Special Exhibition and Photo Gallery commemorating the 70th Anniversary was held. The event commenced with the three-fold recitation of "Namo Tassa" to pay homage to the Buddha.

Next, President U Min Aung Hlaing formally opened the 70th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition by pressing a ceremonial button. The Union Minister for Religious Affairs then presented a commemorative gift to the President in honor of the 70th Anniversary.

Then, the President and invited guests toured the commemorative exhibition hall and viewed the historical displays, it’s learnt.