THE final rites of late Presiding Nayaka of Maha Withutarama Zaygon Pariyatti Buddhist Learning Centre of Pyinmana in Nay Pyi Taw State Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Dr Bhaddanta Kavisara (Sasanadhaja Siripavara Dhammacariya) took place at the centre in Pyinmana yesterday afternoon.
The final rites ceremony was attended by members of the Sangha led by Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw of Thanlyin Minkyaung Monastery Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivamsa and Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Vice-Chair of Shwegyin Nikaya Joint Shwegyin Sangharaja Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara, Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Vice-Chairman of the SAC Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Council members, the secretary and the joint-secretary of the Council, Union ministers, the chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, disciples and religious associations.
The Senior General and party took the Five Precepts from Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Thanlyin Minkyaung Monastery Sayadaw. The Senior General, the Vice-Senior General, the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and disciples covered the remains of the Sayadaw by diamond velvet.
Joint-Secretary of the SSMNC Nyaungthonbin Sayadaw of Mogok Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Dr Bhaddanta Tejosara Bhivamsa read the message of repentance sent by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Shwe Duwun Sayadaw Ashin Javana of Mogok Yeiktha in Mandalay, the notes of contrition sent by the Nay Pyi Taw Area Sangha Nayaka Committee and Pakokku Maha Withutarama Monastery, and the Union Minister for Religious Affairs on his message of repentance dedicating to the demise of the Sayadaw.
The Chairman of SAC, the Vice-Chairman and the congregation offered alms to members of the Sangha. Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara delivered a sermon on remorse, and the assembly shared merits gained.
The remains of the Sayadaw were conveyed onto the Karaweik decorated float and then to the ground of the Uppatasanti Pagoda, where the crematorium was built.
The Chairman of the SAC, the Vice-Chairman and the congregation paid homage to the remains of the Sayadaw. Next, the remains of the Sayadaw were incinerated.
The late Sayadaw served the duty of State Ovadacariya. He established Maha Withutarama Zaygon Monastery in Pyinmana as Pariyatti Buddhist Learning Centre to give lectures on Pariyatti literature to some 300 student monks till his final days. The Sayadaw established Ubuddho Tawya Yeiktha, where he himself took meditation as well as gave ways of meditations to his disciples. The Sayadaw opened many branches of the monastery. The Sayadaw passed away at the age of 95 and 75 vasa.
A ceremony to set the ashes of the late Sayadaw adrift into the water will take place in Kyitaung Village near Paunglaung River on 15 June. —MNA
