The 8th 47-member State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee organized the first day of its third plenary meeting at the Wizaya Mingalar Dhammathabin Hall on Kaba Aye Hill in Yangon yesterday.

The first day of meeting was attended by Chairman Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maharattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Bhamo Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa and the members of committee, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Kyi Min and officials.

The meeting was chaired by Bhamo Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa and Joint Executive Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sehtila.

In his opening address at the meeting, the Bhamo Sayadaw delivered Ovada Kahta (Admonishing speech) to the ceremony, saying the organizing of Sangha meeting of different sects after building solidarity among them. The meeting agreed to serve for the affairs of Sangha by adopting principles and procedures to handle cases in Sangha community.

The Sayadaw also explained the objectives of forming Sangha organizations at various levels, with the objectives, including for propagation of Sasana, observing disciplinary rules, prevention of misleading talks and publications against the original version of Pariyatti Sasana, promoting meditation practices in accordance with the traditional texts, exercising either or both of learning and practices, enjoying results from meditation practices, unity among any schools or members of Sangha.

The Sayadaw also advised to hold the religious exams in accordance with the rules and regulations, to adopt laws and rules for the emerging Buddhist universities.

He finally emphasized the importance of unity in Sangha community.

The term of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee has entered 40 years, and the Committee could hold religious exams, establishments of monk universities and schools for presiding monks.

On behalf of the Union Minister, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture supplicated the member of Sangha on the religious affairs, including plans for holding religious exams this year, census-taking process for Sangha with the assistance of Shine Hope Company for software, computers, printers and copiers as the process is useful for enforcing monastic rules, elections of Sangha organizations and holding examinations.

Then, the senior members of committee presented their reports on activities of respective Sangha organizations before concluding the meeting in the afternoon. —MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)