NEWS: The first ceremony for confer

[mg_myanmar@xxxxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS: The first ceremony for conferring the Diploma in Buddha (Dip.B.Dh) by International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University

SOURCE : The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, November 13, 1999)

The first ceremony for conferring the Diploma in Buddha 
Dhamma (Dip.B.Dh) by International Theravada Buddhist 
Missionary University

YANGON, 12 Nov-The first ceremony for conferring the Diploma in Buddha Dhamma 
(Dip.B.Dh) by International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University of the 
Ministry of Religious Affairs was held. in Maha Pasana Cave, Kaba Aye, this 
morning. Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin 
Nyunt attended the ceremony and supplicated on religious affairs.

Sayadaws and members of the Sangha led by Chancellor of the ITBMU Chairman of 
the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Ratthaguru Abhidhaja 
Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Myingyan Koesaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita, 
ITBMU Ovadacariya Sayadaws and faculty member Sayadaws led by the Rector 
Sayadaw graced the ceremony.Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhama Jotika Magway 
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara read the Ovadakatha of the Chancellor of the ITBMU 
Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.

In the Ovadakatha, the Sayadaw said:

On the very onset, may I wish that all the State leaders, and members of the 
State Peace and Development Council, Ministers, Faculty Members from the 
International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, successful Diploma 
Students, Devotees, distinguished guests, present on this auspicious occasion 
be in good health and happiness.


The Buddha?fs teachings comprising the Tipitaka or eighty-four thousand 
Dhammakkhandas remain as teachers of the bhikkhus on behalf of the Buddha. 
So, members of the Sangha today are not deprived of teachers and the noble 
teachings of the Buddha remain as their teachers.

The teaching of the Buddha is so deep and profound that it can be summarized 
in terms of Tipitaka, five Nikayas, nine Constituents, and eighty-four 
thousand dhammakkhandas.


Therefore, the Buddha?fs teaching can be metaphorically compared to the width 
and depth of the ocean. Just as the ocean is rich with abundant worldly gems, 
so also the teachings of the Buddha contains supramundane treasures of Dhamma.

The practice of Buddha Dhamma seems to be shallow at the beginning, but it 
goes deeper as one goes further.


Concerning Sila (Morality), a bhikkhu must abide by more than ninety billion 
Vinaya Rules of Conduct. Also with reference to Samadhi (Concentration), one 
can apply forty objects of meditation to attain Jhanic-trance, through which 
supernormal power (Abhinnana) can also be attained at its highest stage.


It will take almost a decade to be well-versed in traditional Pitaka 
scriptures of Myanmar. The traditional teaching method for Theravada Buddhist 
Monks, is to learn and study the scriptures daily from dawn to mid-night, 
under close supervision and instructions of learned Theras.


And now, these diploma students are only on the shores of the vast Pitaka 
ocean. They are urged to pursue further, higher degrees of BA, MA, and PhD in 
Buddha Dhamma, both in theory and practice at the International Theravada 
Buddhist Missionary University.In conclusion, I wish all diploma holders may 
follow and practice Buddha?fs teachings and propagate them throughout the 
world. 

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 delivered an address.He said:


Your Most Venerable Chancellor and Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka 
Committee, Ovadacariya Sayadaws and the Rector Sayadaw of the Intentional 
Theravada Buddhist Missionary University and Faculty member Sayadaws.



First, may I express my deep piety and great reverence for getting this 
opportunity of paying respect to the Sayadaws who are in full attendance on 
this auspicious occasion of conferring ceremony of Diploma in Buddha Dhamma 
for academic year 1998-1999 by the Intentional Theravada Buddhist Missionary 
University.


Owing to the volition of His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, Ovadakatha 
(admonition) of the eminent leading Sayadaws, all-round responsible action of 
the Government, great efforts of the learned Sayadaws, scholars and 
administrators, the first conferring ceremony of Diploma in Buddha Dhamma has 
been successfully held by the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary 
University which was inaugurated on 9 December, 1998.


It is clear that, continuously guided by eminent leading Sayadaws, the State 
Peace and Development Council has been supporting Buddha Sasana in order to 
purify, promote and perpetuate it.

As you are aware, Buddhist teaching is based on causal law of nature, which 
was revealed by Buddha?fs enlightenment. These laws always have continuous 
effect on mankind who live in a natural world. We believe that as the centre 
of Theravada Buddhism it is the duty of the Union of Myanmar to disseminate 
Buddhism to the peoples of the world who have not got the access to 
understand and experience the teaching of the Buddha which are in harmony 
with nature.


Based on this belief, the State Peace and Development Council successfully 
opened the Intentional Theravada Buddhist Missionary University which has 
never existed in Myanmar history before. It enables the people of many 
nations to understand and practice genuine teachings of the Buddha.
    
Then, Chairman of ITBMU Council Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin 
delivered an address. He said:

The most Venerable Sayadaws, headed by the Chancellor of ITBMU and Chairman 
of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, the Most Venerable Sayadaws of the 
Ovadacariya Committee of ITBMU, the Most Honourable guests. His Excellency 
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development experience, 
which has arisen out of the arduous efforts of eminent scholar Sayadaws, 
Buddhist lay-scholars and well experienced administrators during a short 
period.


At the commencement of this University, forty-three students from foreign 
countries and fifty-two students in Myanmar-altogether ninety-five students 
attended the classes of Buddha Dhamma Diploma course, but after the first 
semester seven foreign students and one local student, due to their social, 
economical and medical difficulties, were not able to continue their second 
semester. Therefore, altogether eighty seven students could cover the Diploma 
Course. 

In conclusion, I would like to mention that the Ministry of Religious Affairs 
will follow the instructions and policies given by the Patron Sayadaws, the 
State Leader Senior General Than Shwe and the government of the Union of 
Myanmar, and make an arduous attempt to achieve the following aims and 
objectives of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University:-


1. To share the genuine Theravada Buddhism with the people of the world;

2. To study and comprehend the canonical texts of Theravada Pitaka as 
successively approved by the. Buddhist Councils; 

3. To abstain from evil deeds and practice meritorious deeds;

4. To promote the four modes of sublime living (Brahmavihara), which will 
lead to the establishment of peaceful and prosperous world; and

5. To train more missionaries endowed with virtuous morality who are 
well-versed in Pitaka literature and meditations practices.

Then, the ceremony came to a close with reciting of Buddhasasanam Ciram 
Titthatu three times.
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Mg Myanmar
A Myanmar citizen who loves Myanmar

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