THE delegation led by Head of the Republic of Kalmykia Mr Batu Sergeyevich Khassikov of the Russian Federation, together with Yangon Region Chief Min­ister U Soe Thein and officials, paid homage to Shwedagon Pa­goda yesterday morning.

The delegation visited reli­gious edifices, the Buddhologi­cal Museum and Photo Gallery, viewed the historical data and pilgrimage guide at the pago­da and offered flowers, water, oil lights and joss sticks to the Buddha Image at the prayer hall.

They also visited the Na­tional Museum to view round the Thihathana throne, Ya­danabon era exhibit, and royal accessories. They also toured significant venues in Yangon City such as the City Hall, the Ministers’ Office, Kandawgyi Lake and Karaweik Hall as well as the jewellery shops of the Myanmar Gems Museum. In the afternoon, the Head of the Republic of Kalmykia and the party paid homage to members of the State Sangha Maha Nay­aka Committee led by Chairman Sayadaw Aggamaha Pandita Ag­gamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivam­sa at the hall on Kaba Aye Hill.

At the ceremony, the Chair­man Sayadaw said that he had known the flourishing of cul­ture, literature and fine arts of the Russian Federation. He is pleased with the cultural and social relations of Russia with Myanmar. He expressed his delightedness for better diplo­matic relations between the two countries in the time of the State Administration Council. And, the Sayadaw said he was also pleased with the bilateral rela­tions between the two countries to allow the building of Buddha Images and pagodas of Thera­vada Buddhism in Russia.

The Head of the Republic of Kalmykia supplicated that the Republic of Kalmykia is striv­ing for the propagation of Bud­dhism. He invited the Chairman Sayadaw to attend the Buddhism Forum to be held in 2025. He ex­pressed his belief that his repub­lic will propagate Buddhism like Myanmar and he expects the cooperation of the SSMNC in propagation of the Buddhism.

The guests offered Dhamma gifts and alms to the Chairman Sayadaw who returned a picture of the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone as a Dhamma gift.

Also present at the ceremo­ny were Russian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Islander Azizov and officials from the Depart­ment of Religious Affairs.

In the evening, Yangon Re­gion Chief Minister U Soe Thein hosted a dinner in honour of the Head of the Republic of Kalmy­kia and the delegation. — MNA/ TTA