INFORMATION SHEET NO.A -0275(I) (r)

[OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx]

                   INFORMATION SHEET

          NO.A -0275(I)	 7th January 1998

(1)		Myanmar-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival
		A Myanmar-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival took place on the lawns of the
MyaYeik Nyo Royal Hotel on 6 January. The festival programme will be staged at
the National Theatre on 7 and 8 January.
 
(2) 		Israel-Archaeology From the Air
		The photo exhibition "Israel-Archaeology from the Air" to mark the 50th
anniversary celebration of the Independence of the State of Israel opened on 6
January in the National Museum. The exhibits are aerial photos of
archaeological finds, monuments and others by Duby Tal and Moni Haramati,
former Israeli Air Force pilots. The exhibition will be open from 10 am to 4
pm till 20 January.
 
(3)		Gold Medalist International Marathoner Honoured
		Ma Win Win Mar, gold medalist in international marathon, was honoured by the
Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development
Affairs on 6 January. She won the gold in semi-marathon held in Cambodia on 21
December 1997 with one hour 15 minutes and 17 seconds, beating other 400
entries of 17 countries.
 
(4)		Trainees Leave for Singapore
		Under the arrangement of Singapore-Japan Human Resources Development
Programme (2) Assistant Managers of No 2 Joint Venture Corporation Ltd left
Yangon by air to attend Personnel Management Programme in Singapore sponsored
by Singapore Productivity and Standards Board from 7 to 20 January.
 
(5)		Sub-Committee for Collection and Use of Geophysical Data Holds First
	Meeting
		The sub-committee for Collection and Use of Geophysical Data formed to
prevent flooding and tame rivers held its first meeting at the Ministry of
Science and Technology on 6 January. 
 
(6)		18th Dental Conf 22-25 January
		The 18th Dental Conference will be held at the Yuzana Hotel on Shwegondaing
Road Yangon from 22 to 25 January. Papers will be presented, lectures given,
dental medicine and equipment exhibition organized and get-together sports
held at the conference.
 
		 The article by Ba Sein (Religious Affairs) entitled " The International
Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Being Built Now in the Union of
Myanmar" is presented for your information and reading pleasure.
		
		Over 2500 years ago, after the noble demise of the Buddha, many Buddhist
Universities were established throughout the Buddhist world in order to
promote, perpetuate and propagate the teachings of the Buddha. Besides,
altogether six Buddhist Synods which were attended by Maha Theras (Buddhist
chief monks) were held with a view to the purification, perpetuation and
propagation of the Buddha Sasana ( the teachings of the Buddha) in the
Universe. Buddhist all over the world want the everlasting purification,
perpetuation and propagation of the Buddha Sasana for the sake of world peace
and interest of all beings.
		More than 2500 years ago, before the Buddha enlightened, the University
teaching system had existed. There were many universities and also many famous
learned persons such as Ven. Angulimala, Jivaka, the physician, Brahmin
Velama, the young man Susima, the King Pasenadi, the King Livvavi and Maha
Bandoola who received higher education from various universities during the
time of the Buddha.
		After the noble demise of the Buddha in 450 AD, many famous Buddhist
universities such as Nalanda University of Magadha Division,
Vikkamasiladdantapura University, Siridhanakanuka University of Southern India
and Jaggadakyaungtaw of Binglala Region were established. Moreover, other
famous Buddhist Universities such as Vijjodhaya University of Sri Lanka,
Mahatmakut University and Mahatchulalunkun University of Thailand were also
established.
		These all universities were established in order to preserve and teach the
Buddhist scriptures which lead to the purification, perpetuation and
propagation of the Buddha Sasana. At present, there are over 160 nations in
the world, and but there are only five Theravada Buddhist nations. They are
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Myanmar in Asia. But, it is learnt
that there is no separate Theravada Buddhist University in these five
Theravada Buddhist nations. In this regard, the members of the Sangha the
people and the Government of the Union of Myanmar are desirous to 
establish a separate Theravada Buddhist University which will represent the
Five Theravada Buddhist nations in the world. 
		According to the strong wish of the members of the Sangha, the people and
the Government of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of
Myanmar, under the guidance and instructions of the State Sanghamahanayaka
Committee, a decision was made to establish an International Theravada
Buddhist Missionary University in the Union of Myanmar as soon as possible.
The construction of the building of the university was started in 1997 with
the sponsorship of the Government. In reality, an International Theravada
Missionary Buddhist University was intended to be established in Yangon after
the Sixth Buddhist Council in the days of Independence, and but it was not
successful according to the political situation at the that time. It is really
needed that an International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University should
have been established in Myanmar since years ago because Myanmar is a leading 
genuine Theravada Buddhist nation in the world.
		We are very pleased to learn that the construction of the building of the
present International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University will be
completed very soon, and the University will be opened in November 1998. The
necessary arrangements and requirements in order to open the University in
time, are being made by the authorities concerned. And now, the construction
of the main building and others of the University is rapidly being built day
and night in the compound of the Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda on the holy place,
Dhammapala Hillock, Mayangone Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
		It is learnt that the Academic Departments of the International Theravada 
Buddhist University are as follows;-
		1.	Faculty of Pariyatti
			(a)	Vinaya Studies
			(b)	Suttanta studies
			(c)	Abhidhamma studies
			(d)	History and culture of Buddhism
			(e)	Pali Language studies
			(f)	Myanmar Language studies
		2.	Faculty of Patipatti
			(a)	Dhammanuloma studies
			(b)	Samatha studies
			(c)	Vipassana studies
		3.	Faculty of Faith of Religious and Missionary Works
			(a)	Comparative studies
			(b)	Method of Missionary works
			(c)	Method of Research 
			(d)	Foreign Languages and Translation
		Furthermore, it is learnt that the International Theravada Buddhist
Missionary University will confer the following academic degrees:-
		(1)	Diploma in Buddha Dhamma (Dip B Dh)
			(one year course)
		(2)	Bachelor of Arts in Buddha Dhama (B.A, B.Dh) 
			(two years' course)
		(3)	Master of Arts in Buddha Dhamma (M.A, B.Dh)
			(three years' course)
		(4)	Doctor of Philosophy in Buddha Dhamma (Ph.D, B.Dh)
		Those (members of Sangha, nuns and lay people) who wish to join the
International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University at least must have
passed the Matriculation (Tenth Standard) Examination, and also must have to
get through the entrance examination which will be held by the University.
Only the eligible candidates will be admitted to the University. The Status of
this university is equivalent to other International Universities throughout
the world.
		We all Buddhists all over the world are joyous and take honour of the
establishment of this International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
in the Union of Myanmar which represents other Theravada Buddhist nations. And
besides, we are hopeful that this University as well as a higher learning and
studying genuine Theravada Buddhist Centre will surely lead not only to the
everlasting purification, perpetuation and propagation of the Buddha Sasana
but also the contributions of the teachings of the Buddha throughout the
world. We all Buddhists wish that may this International Theravada Buddhist
Missionary University exist forever so long as the Buddha Sasana exists.
 
 
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