ORGANIZED by the Government, the 78th Tipiṭakadhara, Tipiṭakakovida Selection Examination is being held for 33 days, from 21 December 2025 to 22 January 2026, at the Mahā Pāsāna Cave on Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Hill in Yangon. A total of 526 members of the Sangha are sitting the recitation and written examinations as translators and examinees.
For the oral recitation test, candidates must recite in full for 18 days, with a total of nine sessions each day. The written test on doctrinal analysis will be held for five days. In the examination, the venerable monks who participate in the oral recitation and written test are religious heroes of the Sasana. For the various Piṭaka treatises, they have without interruption undertaken rigorous and disciplined training, constantly studying, memorizing, and reciting with great diligence and perseverance, together with unwavering aspiration, focused concentration, and exceptional wisdom.
The examination is conducted with the objectives of identifying and bringing to prominence exceptional individuals within the Buddha’s Sasana who are fully endowed with great merit and extraordinary wisdom; of giving the highest level of support and promotion to the Pariyatti Sasana; and of recognizing and honouring outstanding persons who are true repositories of the Piṭaka and worthy to be pillars of the Sasana.
Till this year, 17 venerable monks emerged as Sasana heroes and were conferred the titles of Tipiṭakadhara and Tipiṭakakovida. It is firmly believed that in the current year as well, venerable monks who will receive the Tipiṭakadhara, Tipiṭakakovida titles and be recognized as Sasana heroes will continue to emerge. Furthermore, after obtaining these titles and upon completing at least five additional years of service, the State confers the title of Tipiṭakadhara Dhammabhandāgārika.
The curriculum of the three Piṭaka treatises in the Pāli Canon comprises five volumes of the Vinaya Piṭaka, three volumes of the Suttanta Piṭaka and twelve volumes of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka. If a candidate can recite all of these texts in full with distinction, the title of Tipiṭakadhara is conferred. The recipient is granted special privileges by the State, including the provision of monthly offerings, as well as attendants – among them two ordained disciples and the highest level of support in travel by land, water, and air.
Therefore, the emergence of Sasana heroes signifies the further flourishing of the Dhamma, representing an extraordinary and exceptional development within the Sasana. Accordingly, in the 78th Examination, new Sasana heroes have also emerged, fulfilling the aspirations and hopes of the faithful in the Sasana.
