The New Light of Myanmar (Firday, 13 October, 2000)

[Ok Kar <Okkar66126@xxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Firday, 13 October, 2000)
-------------------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman
   and Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe sends
   message of condolence to Sri Lanka
2. Historical Museum of Six Buddhist Councils opens
   at Kaba Aye
3. Secretary-1 inspects progress of carving Lawka Chantha
   Abhaya Labha Muni Image
4. Secretary-2 inspects agricultural and livestock breeding
   projects in Loikaw
5. Abhidhamma Day observed at pagodas, religious centres
   in Yangon
6. - Commander inspects Vegetable Cultivation, Livestock
     Breeding Special Zone
   - Commander attends meeting for hoteliers and travel agencies
7. Cornerstone laid for Traditional Medicine Hospital in Hpa-an
8. UMFCCI rep leaves for Japan
9. 26 members resign from Myinmu Township NLD

-----------------------------------------

( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman and Prime Minister Senior
General Than Shwe sends message of condolence to Sri Lanka

YANGON, 12 Oct -Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a
message of condolence to Her Excellency Mrs Chandrika Bandaranaike
Kumaratunga, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on
the loss of her beloved mother Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike, former Prime
Minister of Sri Lanka.

___________________________

( 2 ) Historical Museum of Six Buddhist Councils opens at Kaba Aye


YANGON, 12 Oct - The ceremony to open the Historical Museum of the Six
Buddhist Councils was held at the museum at Kaba Aye, Mayangon, at 9 am
today. The museum was opened with the aim of uplifting the spirit to love and
cherish the race and religion and the knowledge on the Six Buddhist Councils
and conserving the historical artifacts of the Sixth Buddhist Council.
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
attended the ceremony and unveiled the velvet covering of the Stone
Inscription of the museum.

Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development
Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander
of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, deputy ministers,
ambassadors of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and India, officials of
the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, advisers
at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, staff of the Religious Affairs
Department and Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana and
invited guests.


Director of RAD U Nyunt Maung acted as master of ceremonies. Director-General
of RAD Dr Myo Myint read out a brief record to establish the museum. Dr Myo
Myint said that three months and four days after the Parinibbana of the Lord
Buddha, Ashin Maha Kassapa, Ashin Upali and Ashin Ananda organized the First
Buddhist Synod in the cave congregation hall of Vebhara Hill in Rajagir for
the purpose of perpetuation of the Teachings of Lord Buddha.

A hundred years later, Ashin Mahayasa and the Arahats organized the Second
Buddhist Synod at Valikayon Kyaungdaw in Vesali. The Third Buddhist Synod
took place at Asokayon Kyaungdaw in Pataliputta Palace in 235 Sasana Era as
Ashin Maha Koggalika Puttatissa and other Arahats organized it.

In 450 Sasana Era, the Arahats and members of the Sangha congregated in Aloka
Cave in Matula Town, Ceylon, and held the Fourth Buddhist Synod putting on
record the scriptures. King Mindon of Myanmar placed the Three Pitakat
Treatises on stone inscriptions in 2404 Sasana Era in Mandalay, and organized
the missionary Sayadaws at the Myaynan Pyatthat of the palace where they
recited the sacred treatises for six months. It was the Fifth Buddhist Synod
in 2415 Sasana Era.

In 2498 Sasana Era, Sayadaws and members of the Sangha totalling 2,500 from
five Theravada Buddhist countries gathered at Maha Pasana Cave, Kaba Aye, in
Myanmar and organized the Sixth Buddhist Synod. At the Sixth Buddhist Synod,
Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Nyaungyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Revata and Abhidhaja
Maha Rattha Guru Masoeyein Sayadaw Bhaddanta Suriya presided over the
congregation. Agga Maha Pandita Mahasi Sayadaw Bhaddanta So-bhana acted as
Pucchaka Sayadaw, who asked questions, and Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru
Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandhagarika Mingun
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vicittasara Bhivamsa acted at the Vissajjaka Sayadaw, who
answered the questions.

The answers were unanimously recited by Sangitikaraka Sangitibhanaka
Sayadaws; the Sixth Buddhist Synod took two years and ended in 2500 Sasana
Era. Director-General Dr Myo Myint said the Secretary-1 of the State Peace
and Development Council gave guidance on building of a historical museum on
the Buddhist Synods to let the future generations know how the Sayadaws and
members of the Sangha of the five Theravada countries unitedly organized it
and feel a sense of gratitude.

The construction funds for the museum were obtained from the surplus funds
for the crematorial rites of Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee Bago Myoma Sayadawgyi and Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee Thanlyin Minkyaung Sayadaw. Foundation was laid to start building
the museum on 10 January last year.

In keeping with the guidance of the Secretary-1, officials collected
historical objects and records from various monasteries all over the country,
historians, and wellwishers of the foreign embassies to display them so as to
revitalize the spirit of love for the race, language and Sasana and to help
researchers gain more knowledge on religious history.

The museum displays 17 paintings, 32 documentary photos, 845 sculptures, 157
books and 92 historical objects. The Secretary-1 after unveiling the Stone
Inscription sprinkled scented water on it. Vocalist Daw Ye Ye Thant read out
the auspicious lyrical ode on the sacred events of the Six Great Buddhist
Councils. Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin and Managing Director of
Myanma Industrial Construction Services, Ministry of Industry-2, U Ye Htun
formally opened the museum.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt performed the ritual gold and silver showers to
mark the successful completion of the auspicious ceremony. The Secretary-1
and party then visited the exhibits at the museum. The first floor of the
museum displays the paintings, sculptures, charts and historical facts on the
First Buddhist Council, the Second Buddhist Council, the Third Buddhist
Council, the Fourth Buddhist Council and the Fifth Buddhist Council.
Religious artifacts from India where the First to the Third Buddhist Councils
were organized and Sri Lanka, where the Fourth Buddhist Council was
organized, were also displayed there.

The exhibits of upper floor mainly display the Sixth Buddhist Council,
including the small-scale model of the Maha Pasana Cave, the venue of the
Council, records of the Council and construction of the Cave, Pitaka
Treatises, books of the Pitaka Treatises, the Ovadacariya Sayadaws and
Sayadaws of the Working Committee of the Sangha who took part in the Council,
personal tools of the Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Nyaungyan Sayadaw, Agga Maha
Pandita Mahasi Sayadaw and Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha
Saddhammajotika Tipitakadara Dhamma Bhandakarika Mingon Sayadaw, leaflets
commemorating the Council, seals of the Council and religious artifacts of
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, which had participated in the Council.

The Historical Museum of the Six Buddhist Councils opens daily from 10 am to
4 pm except on weekends and gazetted holidays. Admission fee is free. After
the ceremony, the Secretary-1 inspected the progress in constructing of the
Convocation Hall of State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho (Yangon) at Kaba Aye.
Deputy Chief Engineer of Public Works U Aung Kyee Myint and Myanmar
Architecture U Ohn Tin and officials briefed the Secretary-1 on points of the
project.

The Secretary-1 gave suggestions. At International Theravada Buddhist
Missionary University near the Buddha's Tooth Relic Pagoda, the Secretary-1
inspected progress in construction of Patharani Ordination Hall and greening
of its compound, the University Administration Office, the library, the
meditating hall, the hostels and the messing halls. Officials explained
points about the respective sectors.

_________________________

( 3 ) Secretary-1 inspects progress of carving Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha
Muni Image


YANGON, 12 Oct-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt arrived at Mindhamma Hill on Mindhamma Road in Insein Township
this afternoon. The Secretary-1 was welcomed by Minister for Religious
Affairs U Aung Khin,Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung
Ko, Adviser at the State Peace and Development Council Office U Arnt Maung
and officials.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt paid homage to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni
Image and inspected Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image sculptured by
sculptor U Taw Taw and group. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave necessary
instructions to officials and left there at 12.40 pm. Devotees including
monks, nuns and people visited Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image on
Mindhamma Hill on Mindhamma Road in Insein Township today.


Wut associations of Yangon City Development Committee, Mingaladon Township,
Thingangyun Township, North Okkalapa Township, No 305 Light Infantry
Regiment, Irrigation Department and Department of Religious Affairs recited
religious verses on the hill from 7 am to 10 pm today. Devotees today donated
K 2,070,000 at the donation centre.

__________________________

( 4 ) Secretary-2 inspects agricultural and livestock breeding projects in
Loikaw

YANGON, 12 Oct - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected agricultural and livestock breeding projects in
Loikaw Township, Kayah State, yesterday. Accompanied by ministers, the Deputy
Minister for Education and heads of departments, the Secretary-2 left here
for Loikaw in the afternoon.

On arrival at Loikaw Airport, the Secretary-2 and party were welcomed by
member of the   Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Brig-Gen Thura Sein Thaung of Phekon
Station, Chairman of Kayah State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Nyunt
Hlaing and officials.

At Htayhgnalya Model Village in Loikaw Township, they inspected the chicken
farm of a farmer. They also inspected the vegetable patches. The Ministry of
Livestock and Fisheries is rendering assistance to the village to set up
manageable farms.

The Secretary-2 and party inspected thriving monsoon paddy fields in the
surrounding areas of the village. During inspection of Maingna 11
Pumped-Water Station at Hsawsidaw village, the Secretary-2 heard a report on
points of the project and the station's irrigation capacity.

The station is being operated by the Water Resources Utilization Department.
Water will be lifted from Balu Creek to irrigate up to 3,000 acres. The
station will supply water to 1,722 acres of summer paddy this season. The
project launched on 12 November 1999 started supplying water on 2 March 2000.
In Loikaw, the Secretary-2 and party attended the ceremony to donate rice to
Catholic churches in the township.

Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo presented cash donations to the archbishop of the
Loikaw Catholic churches. At Shwedaung Pariyatti Sarthintaik, the Secretary-2
and party also attended the cere-mony to donate rice to 10 pariyatti
sarthintaiks in Shwedaung Township.


Patron of Shwedaung Pariyatti Sarthintaik member of the State Working
Committee of the Sangha Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Paasami
administered the Five Precepts. Sayadaws recited parittas.

Later, the Secretary-2 and party donated rice to the ten sarthintaiks. The
congregation shared the merits gained. Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein
inspected Loikaw Township People's Hospital in Loikaw in the evening. He also
met with doctors and staff of the hospital. Deputy Minister for Education
Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung presented books on teaching aid to Basic Education
Middle School No 2 in Loikaw Township.

__________________________

( 5 ) Abhidhamma Day observed at pagodas, religious centres in Yangon


YANGON, 12 Oct-Today, the Fullmoon Day of Thadinkyut also known as Abhidhamma
Day, famous pagodas in Yangon such as Shwedagon, Sule, Botahtaung,
Kyaikkasan, Thirimingala Kaba Aye and Maha Wizaya were crowded with devotees
who were offering "soon", flowers, lights, fruits and insence sticks, taking
precepts and making donations from dawn till dusk. Shwedagon The Pagoda Board
of Trustees organized the precept taking ceremony on Abhidhamma Day at
Ancient Image Tazaung this morning. State Ovadacariya Sayadaw of Shwedagon
Pagoda Board of Trustees Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa invested
the congregation with the Nine Precepts. Officials and well-wishers presented
offertories to members of the Sangha, followed by sharing of merits gained.

Maha Wizaya A ceremony to recite parittas, sponsored by the Pagoda Board of
Trustees, was held in conjunction with the fruit-offering ceremony at the
pagoda at 6 am today.

At 10 am, Bonpyantawya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Visuddha delivered a sermon. Sule
With the sponsorship of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, lights, water, flowers
and fruit-offering ceremony was held at the pagoda this morning, and Wut
associations of Sule Pagoda staff were reciting Abhidhamma. Botahtaung In
addition to religious ceremonies, Presiding Sayadaw Tipitakadhara Dhamma
Bhandagarika Yaw Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sirindabhivamsa of Maha Withokdayontaik in
Bahan Township and Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta
Ovadabhivamsa of Ponnamaramazay Kyaungtaik in Nyaungdon, Ayeyawady Division
Agga delivered sermons at noon and at 3 pm at the pagoda respectively.
Similar religious ceremonies were held at pagodas in Yangon as well as in
state/divisions.


___________________________

( 6 )  Commander inspects Vegetable Cultivation, Livestock Breeding Special
Zone


Yangon, 12 Oct- Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of
Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than met national entrepreneurs and members of Supervisory
Committee for Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation and Livestock Breeding
Special Zone at Nyaung-hnapinkwin, Hmawby Township, this afternoon.

Speaking on the occasion, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than said it is the
duty of the Supervisory Committee members to help the national entrepreneurs
if they have difficulties in agriculture and livestock breeding special zone
No 1, and the entrepreneurs have to finish cultivation of the vegetables by
October.


Division Commissioner U Thein Swe reported to the commander on soil
preparation and cultivation of vegetable plants and Director of Irrigation
Department U Tin Maung Win on digging of canals and national entrepreneurs on
their requirements. The Commander attended to their needs.

Then, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspected 10 acres of vegetable
plantation cultivated by U Aung Than Oo, 50 acres of vegetable plantation
cultivated by Marlamyaing Agriculture Group, 10 acres of vegetable plantation
by Myanmar Rice Dealers Association and 15 acres of vegetable plantation by
Steel Stone Agriculture Group.

The Commander looked into the requirements. Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than
later inspected the agriculture and livestock breeding special zone and left
instructions. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has cultivated
vegetables on 159 acres of land, Ministry of Home Affairs on 73 acres of
land, Ministry of Energy on 60 acres of land, Ministry of Electric Power on
53 acres of land, Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs on 90 acres of land and national entrepreneurs on 153
acres of land in the special zone.

Commander attends meeting for hoteliers and travel agencies

YANGON, 12 Oct-Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint delivered an opening speech at
the meeting of hoteliers and travel agencies in Mandalay, which was sponsored
by Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, held at Innwa Hotel in Chanayethazan
Township, Mandalay Division on 10 October morning.

Tactical Operations Commander Col Tun Kyi, Secretary of the Division Lt-Col
Tin Ohn and members, Chairman of Mandalay District Lt-Col Tin Tun and
departmental heads, Deputy Director of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U
Tin Tun and officials, chairman of Mandalay Hotels and Tourism Committee and
members and invited guests attended the meeting.

___________________________

( 7 ) Cornerstone laid for Traditional Medicine Hospital in Hpa-an

YANGON, 12 Oct-The cornerstone laying ceremony for construction of Hpa-an
Traditional Medicine Hospital (16-Bed) of Traditional Medicine Department of
Ministry of Health was held at the hospital at 8 am on 11 October.

It was attended by Col Saw Khin Soe and Secretary and members,  chairman and
members of district and township councils,   departmental heads, members of
social welfare organizations and distinguished guests. Head of the Kayin
State Indigenous Medicine Department U Tin Ohn explained the work related to
the construction of the hospital with the help of charts. The Chairman gave
necessary instructions to the officials and the officials laid corner stones
at the auspicious time. Myo Myanmar Construction Group will construct the
hospital at the cost of K 7.12 millions including K 4 millions from the State.

___________________________

( 8 ) UMFCCI rep leaves for Japan

YANGON, 12 Oct-U Ye Thura (Computer technician) of the Union of Myanmar
Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry left for Japan to attend the
Ministry Youth Exchange Programme to be held from 13 to 23 October. Officials
from UMFCCI saw him off at the airport this evening.
___________________________

( 9 )  26 members resign from Myinmu Township NLD

YANGON, 12 Oct-Twenty-six members resigned from the National League for
Democracy of Myinmu Township, Sagaing Division. Twenty-six members of Myinmu
Township NLD, Sagaing Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending
letters of resignation to Myinmu Township Multiparty Democracy General
Election Commission and the party concerned on 11 February 2000 as they no
longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

___________________________


WEATHER REPORT

TODAY

Forcast for Yangon and neighbouring area for13th October  2000: Intermittent
rain which may be heavy at time. Degree of certainty is 50%

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