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Friday,  13 October  2000
 ONLINE  EDITION
  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
  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 ceremony 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 incense 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

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

Forecast 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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