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Historical Background
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The Ministry of Religious Affairs was established in order to function various affairs of Sasana even during the period not before gaining the Independence of the Union of Myanmar . According to implementation of new system of administration on 15 March 1972, the Department of Religious Affairs was formed comprising the following departmentts. which were under the Ministry of Religious Affairs:-
- Secretriat of the Ministry of Religious Affairs
- Division of Religious Affairs Directorate
- Division of Pali University and Dhamma-cariya
- Division of Pali Education
- International Institute for Advance Buddhist studies
- Buddha Sasana Council
- Tipitakadhara Selection Board
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Objectives
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TThe objectives of the establishment of the Department of Religious Affairs are to effectively carry out and function the following matters:-
- All people living in the Union of Myanmar have to take faith freely in any religion which they believe and to practise it freely.
- As 89.280 per-cent of population of the whole country taking faith in Buddhisam, it is to purify, perpetuate and propagate the three kinds of Sasana of the Buddha namely, Pariyatti, Patipatti and Pativedha.
- To promote and cultivate moral conduct and character of people by preserving and promoting traditional and cultural heritage of Myanmar.
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Set-up
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The Department of Religious Affairs
The Department of Religious Affairs is established comprising the following four Divisions:-
- Religious Affairs and Vinnicchaya Division
- Examination Division
- Administrative Division
- Printing and Publishing Division
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Supporting and providing for other religions
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The Department of Religious Affairs is consequently carrying
out the above-mentioned tasks and besides is implementing to
solve and settle disputes arising among other religions. In addition,
the Department is also performing to promote other religions respectively.
To attend their religious seminars, conferences and meetings at abroad, the
Department of Religious Affairs makes necessary arrangements and requirements
for them in order to go there. Members of other religions who visit Myanmar are
recommended to obtain their further stay-permit. Islamic believers from Myanmar
are sent to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their Haj pilgrimage. Financial aids
are yearly granted for other religions and also travelling free-pass is issued
to leaders of other religions.
Moreover, ceremonies of Christmas Eve and Easter Day for Christian Community, ceremonies
of the Birthday of Prophet Mohammed and IDUL ATHWAHA for Islamic community and Depavali
festival and other significant festivals for Hindu community are allowed to be held every
year and also their religious talks on their such holy days allowed to be broadcast over
Radio Myanmar. Minister, Deputy Minister for Ministry of Religious Affairs and Directors-General
of Religious Departments occasionally attend and grace their religious ceremonies.
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| Financial Aids granted for Religions |
A Lump sum of financial aids are yearly granted to respective religous communities as follows:-
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Religion |
Yearly financial grant |
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Buddhism (Kachin, Kayah, Kayin and Shan)
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Ks 115000/-
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| (b) |
Protestant (Christian
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Ks 36350/-
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| (c) |
Catholic (Christian)
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Ks 15600/-
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| (d) |
Hindu
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Ks 38500/-
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| (e) |
Islam
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Ks 100000/-
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| (f) |
Animism
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Ks 86550/-
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Due to supporting Buddhism and other religions throughout the country, believers in respective religions and their religious buildings are increasing in number as follows:-
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Religion |
Yearly financial grant |
Religious buildings |
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Buddhism
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89.280% of the whole population
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| (b) |
Buddhist monks
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226508 |
58399 Monasteries |
| (c) |
Buddhsit novices
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25834 |
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| (d) |
Buddhist nuns
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34365
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2749 Nunneries |
| (e) |
Christians
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2264884
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3265 Churches |
| (f) |
Islam (Muslins)
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1692898
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2266 Mosques |
| (g) |
Hindu
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228654
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464 Temples |
| (h) |
Chinese worshipping centres
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151
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