Silver Jubilee of ITBMU: Sangharajas from home and abroad attended the ceremony

The ceremony of unveiling monument of stone inscription marked the 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University was held at the spot of monument in the university, Mayangone Township, Yangon Region at 7 Am on 9th December.

The ceremony was attended by the members of Sangha led by the Secretary Sayadaw of State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee Thanlyin Min Kyaung presiding Sayadaw Dr. Baddanta Cadimabhivamsa , the founder of ITBMU State and University Ovadacariya Sayadaw Chancellor of the Thitagu World Buddhist Universities Thitagu Sayadaw Dr. Baddanta Nanissara ( Rector of ITBMU Dr. Baddanta Chekinda , Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Zaw hein, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Yangon Mayor U Bo Htay, region ministers and departmental heads. 

First, Yangon Region Chief Minister, Commander of Yangon Command, Region Minister for Security and Border Affairs, YCDC Chairman Yangon Mayor, Minister for Religious Affairs (Retired) Thiripyanchi U Sein Htwar opened the ceremony by cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

At the auspicious time, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin unveiled the monument of stone inscription by pressing auto button. The Sayadawgyis and dignitaries recited the auspicious religious verses and sprinkled the monument with scented water.

At 8 Am, the second part of the ceremony of the 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University was continued in the Mahapasana cave at Kabaaye Hill and the ceremonial conveyance of Sayadawgyis from home and abroad was conducted. Next, Vice Chancellor of the University Secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee Dr. Baddanta Candimabhivamsa , Thitagu Sayadaw Dr. Baddanta Nanisssara , Chancellor of Dhammadipa Buddha University in India Dr. Baddanta Dhammapiya၊, ITBMU Rector Sayadaw Dr. Baddanta Chekinda offered lighting to Buddha Image in the Cave by lighting the candlesticks.  

When the ceremony was begun, ITBMU Rector Sayadaw read the account of journey to the silver jubilee of the University and requested the Sayadawgyis led by the Vice Chancellor Sayadawgyi and Thitagu Sayadawgyi to lead the ceremony. Vice Chancellor of the University Secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee Dr. Baddanta Candimabhivamsa delivered the congratulatory speech commemorating 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee of founding University and struck the bell marking the opening ceremony of the celebration of the Silver Jubilee followed striking 108 bells around the cave by the lay devotees.

Then, the founder of ITBMU Chancellor of Thitagu World Buddhist Universities Dr. Baddanta Nanissara delivered a congratulatory speech accounted the brief history of ITBMU and struck the bell marking the opening ceremony of the celebration of the Silver Jubilee followed striking 108 bells around the cave by the lay devotees. Then, Sayadaw Dr. Baddanta Nodhinana delivered a congratulatory speech on behalf of the Ovadacariya and Second Rector Sayadaw of ITBMU Dr. Baddanta Nandamalabhivamsa .

Next, the head of Faculty of Religious and Missionary Works Dr. Baddanta Janaka read the result statement from the paper reading session marking the silver jubilee of University under the topic of Buddhist Studies in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities.

Next, the Sangharaja of Amarapura sect of Sri Lanka, standing member Sayadaw of Lao Sangharaja committee, member Sayadaw of Viet Nam Sangharaja committee and member Sayadaw of Cambodia Sangharaja committee delivered the congratulatory speech.

Next, the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin supplicated congratulatory words. Then, Sri Lanka ambassador to Myanmar H.E Mr. Janaka Bandara supplicated a congratulatory words on behalf of the ambassadors attended the ceremony. Then, the Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein extended words of thanks to the members of Sangha from home and abroad and dignitaries for their valuable presence in the ceremony.

Afterward, the Union Minister and officials presented gold painting of university marked the silver jubilee on lacquer to the local and international Sayadawgyis, concluded the ceremony and conducted the photo session.

The ceremonies marking the 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee of ITBMU including paper reading session, gathering of alumni and fresher students, paying obeisance to the teachers and unveiling of monument of stone inscription, were held from 7th Decembers and attended by the 7 Sangharaja Sayadawgyis from 5 Theravada countries, rectors and pro-rector Sayadaws from abroad, local and international Examiners and Alumnus, students, Union Minister for Religious Affairs (Retired) and retired officers and staff members of ITBMU.