29 December
The opening ceremony for the 72nd Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Examination was held in the Wizaya Mingala Dhamma Thabin Hall at the Kaba Aye Hill in Yangon yesterday.
The event was attended by State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaws led by Chairman Abhidhajamaharatthaguru Abhidhajaaggamahasaddhammajotika Bhamo Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara Bhivamsa, Sayadaws of Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Board, Members of Sangha, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, Yangon Region Social Affairs Minister U Naing Ngan Lin, departmental officers and officials, donors and invited guests.
First, the congregation led by Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko received the Five Precepts from Chairman of Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Board Hlinethaya Township Sasana Gonyi Monastery Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maharattha Guru Bhaddanta Pyinyatethara Bhivamsa, and listened to the Parittas recited by Members of Sangha.
Afterwards, Chairman Sayadaw of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee delivered an Ovadakatha, followed by the Union Minister supplicating religious matters.
Union Minister, Region minister and officials accepted the cash and offertories donated by well-wishers, and presented them in return certificates of honor.
The congregation listened to the sermon delivered by Yangon Region, Thanlyin Minkyaung Pahtamapyan monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sandima Bhivamsa, and shared the merits they gained.
After Members of Sangha were invited to the seats, the opening ceremony concluded.
In the afternoon, the 72nd Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Examination was held at the ordination hall of the Mahapasana Cave, where the Union Minister donated cash to the Sayadaws.
The Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Examination was annually held since 1948. During the 72 exams, 14 Members of Sangha fully passed the oral recitation of Tipitaka and its writing test.
The 72nd Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Examination will be held until 29 January 2020 for 33 days. A total of 63 monks sat for the oral recitation examination yesterday. — MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)
