Emergence of different levels of Sangha Organization
The first congregation of the Sangha of All Orders was held at Siri Mangala Kaba Hillock, Yangon on 27 May 1980 (14 Waxing of Nayaon, 1342 M.E) and the Congregation was attended by 1218 Sanghasammuti representatives from different parts of ; the country. The different levels of Sangha Organizations have been formed since then. The different levels of Sangha Organizations are as follows:-
(a)
State Patron Committee of Sangha
111
members
(b)
State Sanghamahanayaka Committee
47
members
(c)
State Central Working Committee of the Sangha of All Orders
300
members
(d)
Sanghasammuttiya Representatives
1439
members
(e)
State/ Divisional Sanghanayaka Committees
(Each Committee may be formed to comprise 5 members to 21 members)
549
Committees
(f)
Township Sanghanayaka Committees
(Each Committee may be formed to comprise 4 members to 15 members)
542
Committees
(g)
Ward/Village-Tract Sanghanayaka Committees
5508
Committees
(h)
CVinayadhara members of Sangha
4806
members
Formation of Buddhist Nun Committee
There are many Buddhist nuns dwelling in different parts of the Union of Myanmar. In fact, Buddhist nuns just like Buddhist monks takes meditation and learn Buddhist scriptures. Besides, they take care of children and teach them and perform welfare of others. Therefore, the fundemental principles for formation of Buddhist Nun Committee were drawn up in 1981 and the State Sanghamahanayaka Committee also issued Directives N0.40 on August 1982 to form Township and State/ Divisional Buddhist Nun Committees respectively.
They are as fallows:-
(a)
Township Executive Buddhist Nun Committee
( Each Committee may be formed to comprise 4 to 11 members )
206
Committees
(b)
State/ Divisional Executive Buddhist Nun committee
( Each Committee may be formed to comprise 5 to 9 members )
11
Committees
Cash-gifts for exam-passed persons
The following religous examinations are yearly held by the Department of Religious Affairs and candidates who have passed these religious examinations are given away lump sum of cash by the Department of Religious Affairs:-
Dhammacariya (lectureship) Exam
Academic year (2004) (passed)
(1)
Dhammacariya
(passed all three parts of exam)
249
(2)
Pali language honours
5
(3)
Myanmar Language honours
5
Pathamabyan Exam(2004)
(1)
Pathamagyi
3911
(2)
Pathamalat
6428
(3)
Pathamange
10805
(4)
Basic level (primary)
14673
Tipitakathara Selection Exam
(1)
Oral Exam Passed
61
(2)
Written Exam Passed
6
Religious Organizations
Religious Organizations of different religions in the Union of Myanmar are as follows:-
(1)
Buddhist religious organizations
23 Nos.
(2)
Famous Pagodas' boards of trustees
179 Nos.
(3)
Christian religious organizations
14 Nos.
(4)
Islamic religious organizationss
12 Nos.
(5)
Hindu religious organizations
542
(6)
Ward/Village-Tract Sanghanayaka Committees
6 Nos.
A brief of the Chatta Sangayana Museum
The Chatta Sangayana Museum
After the demise of Lord Buddha in 544 B.C., Six Great Buddhist Councils were convened to preserve the purity of the Tipitaka texts which embody the teaching of Lord Buddha. Sangayana means the congregation of learned monks who collectively revised and purified the Tipitaka texts. The First, Second and Third Great Buddhist Councils were convened in India between 544 B.C. and 308 B.C., and the Tipitaka texts were purified and revised orally.
Tipitaka texts were revised and written on palm-leaves during the Fourth Great Buddhist Council which was convened in Sri Lanka in 94 B.C. After the demise of Lord Buddha in 544 B.C., Six Great Buddhist Councils were convened to preserve the purity of the Tipitaka texts which embody the teaching of Lord Buddha. Sangayana means the congregation of learned monks who collectively revised and purified the Tipitaka texts. The First, Second and Third Great Buddhist Councils were convened in India between 544 B.C. and 308 B.C., and the Tipitaka texts were purified and revised orally. Tipitaka texts were revised and written on palm-leaves during the Fourth Great Buddhist Council which was convened in Sri Lanka in 94 B.C. At the Fifth Great Buddhist Council which was convened in Mandalay in 1871, Tipitaka texts were inscribed on 729 stone slabs. In 1954 which marked the 2500 years of Buddha Sasana, the Sixth Great Buddhist Council was convened inside Mahapasana Cave, Kaba Aye Hillock, Yangon. Bhikkhus from five Theravada Buddhist countries, namely, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, recited and verified the Tipitaka texts for two years. The purified texts were later printed into book for.
The State Peace and Developement Council gave necessary instructions to establish a museum in order to display historical and religious objects pertaining to the historical event of the Sixth Great Buddhist Council for the public veneration. Accordingly. on 23rd October 1997 a committee was formed to establish a museum commenmorating the Sixth Great Buddhist Council. On 10th January 1998, the cornerstone of the foundation of the museum was laid.
The Ministry of Industry (2) built the museum which was completed on 7th June 1999. The State Peace and Development Council instructed that the display of historical exhibits should contribute to increase love for race and religion, historical knowledge and piety and reverence. In keeping with these instructions historical materials and artifact were systematically collected from monasteries, donors and embassies. The collection includes 17 paintings, 32 photographs, 845 replicas of stone inscriptions, 157 manuscripts and 92 historical artifacts. The exhibits are displayed to stimulate interest, to give information and to increase pitey.
One can see large paintings of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Great Buddhist Councils, maps and historical charts on the ground floor. To these are added religious and art objects from India and Sri Lanka. Paintings and sculpture were created by artist U Ohn Thwin and U Ohn Tin. Daw Nu Mya Zan, Director of the National Museum, is responsible for artistic display of exhibits.
The theme of the top floor is on the convening of the Sixth Great Buddhist Council. The exhibits consist of the clay model of the Mahapasana Cave, the model of congregation of monks and laymen celebrating Sagayana inside the Mahapasana Cave, Photographs showing stage of construction of the Mahapasana Cave, the Sixth Great Buddhist Council version of Tipitaka texts, Photographs of leading monks who presided the Sixth Great Buddhist Council, articles of daily used by Nyaungyan Sayadaw, Mahasi Sayadaw and Mingun Sayadaw, commemorative magazines, pamphlets, books, messages, spoons, badges and religious objects from Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
On completion of the display of historical and religious objects, the historical museum of the Sixth Great Buddhist Council was ceremonially opened at the auspicious hour of 9:00 A.M, 12th October 2000.
