Auspicious ceremony held to hoist diamond orb of Shwezigon Ceti replica Pagoda at ETHNOMIR, world cultural city, in Kaluga Region, Moscow, and to consecrate the pagoda
NAY PYI TAW July 12
The auspicious ceremony to hoist diamond orb of the Pagoda, a replica of Shwezigon Pagoda, at ETHNOMIR, the world cultural city, in Kaluga Region, Moscow, Russian Federation, and to consecrate the pagoda was held today, the fullmoon day of Waso, 2566 Buddhist Era, 1384 ME, attended by members of the Sangha led by Chancellor of Sitagu World Buddhist Universities Abhidhija Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhija Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Maha Dhamma Kahtika Bahujanahitadhara Chairman and Sangha Raja of Shwekyin Nikaya Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara, Vice Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Kyaujme Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Candanassara, Tipitaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silakkhandha Bhivansa and Rector of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Maha Dhamma Kahtika Bahujanahitadhara Maha Ganhtavacaka Pandita Dr Bhaddanta Chekinda (Dhammaduta Sayadaw), Orthodox Priests and Lamas of Russian Federation.
Also present were Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Deputy Speaker of Federation Council of Russia Konstantin Losifovich Kosachev, Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Alexander Vasilievich Fomin, officials of the government and Defence Ministry of Russia, SAC member Mahn Nyein Maung, Joint Secretary
Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and wife, Union Minister for Science and Technology U Myo Thein Kyaw, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and wife, Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Myo Zaw Thein and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Myanmar Ambassador to Russia U Lwin Oo, Military Attaché Brig-Gen Moe Kyaw, Deputy Minister for Transport and Communication
U Aung Myaing, Yangon Mayor U Bo Htay, outstanding award winner Tatmadaw officers, military and civilian officials, officer trainees of Tatmadaw, guests from Russia-Myanmar Friendship and Cooperation Associa-tion, guests from military technology cooperation organization, Moscow Theravada Buddhist associations, religious organizations, invited guests from embassies and Buddhist Russians.
The Senior General and wife and those present received the Nine Precepts from Sitgu Sayadaw, Upasakas presented Paritta flowers, water, threads and sand to Sayadaws who recited Parittas.
Upasakas then sprinkled, placed or tied the Paritta objects in the precinct of the pagoda.
The Senior General, wife and attendees presented the diamond orb, vane and offertories to Sitagu Sayadaw and sprinkled scented water on them.
The Senior General and wife and party conveyed the diamond orb and vane round the pagoda clock-wise. They together with diplomats of foreign embassies sprinkled scented water on the diamond orb and vane. At the auspicious time, the diamond orb and vane were hoisted on top of the pagoda and scented water was sprinkled on them. A religious ritual was performed to mark the success of the ceremony.
Members of the Sangha then consecrated the pagoda. Sitagu Sayadaw gave Ovada to mark the success of the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General expressed pleasure to attend and take part in the ceremony to hoist the diamond orb and vane of the pagoda which is the first Theravada Ceti in Kaluga Region near Moscow. The Shwezigon replica pagoda was built for the eternal perpetuation and flourishing of Buddha Sasana, enhancement of Russia-Myanmar friendship and cultural cooperation, and showcasing oriental and Buddhist culture.
King Anawrahta, who built the First Myanmar Empire, after receiving Ovada from the Shin Arahan, began construction of the original Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan 963 years ago. After the king passed away, his son King Kyansitthar continued to build the pagoda. Construction of the pagoda was completed 932 years ago. The duration of construction of the pagoda was 31 years long. The pagoda is one of the 45 two-story temples.
Building a replica of such historical and cultural heritage of Shwezigon Pagoda in Russia is a milestone of cultural cooperation between Russia and Myanmar.
Moreover, as cultural cooperation, Myanmar Theravada Buddhist Centre could be established in Russia in 2015. To enable the Buddhist people in Russia to do practice of meditation, Sanghas from Myanmar brought replicas of the Shwedagon and Saddhama Zotika Ordination Hall to Russia with the donation of families of the Myanmar Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), and held a stake driving ceremony for construction of the replicas. In 2021, along with me, the government delegation members made a devotional offering and donated a sacred diamond bud and a sacred banner, Hngetmyatnardaw, for the replica of the Shwezigon.
To be able to build such a replica of the Shwezigon Pagoda full of Myanmar cultural works in the Russian Federation, with the donation of well-wishers of Myanmar and families of the Myanmar Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), the Sitagu Sayadaw came to the Russian Federation 10 times and made efforts for construction of the replica. Efforts to build the replica of the Shwezigon Pagoda
has been made thanks to Sayadaws who are conducting missionary services at Sitagu Buddha Vihara in Moscow, supervision of ambassadors and military attaches, and collective efforts of training cadets of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and donors of Russia. Religion contributes peace to man’s mind.
Thus, I fully believe that such a pagoda will contribute peace to Russian people and strengthen friendship and peace between Russian and Myanmar.
I am deeply grateful to Sitagu Sayadaw and Sayadaws from Sitagu Buddha Vihara (Moscow) for their kind efforts to be able to build the replica pagoda.
I am also thankful to the Buddhist and Christian leaders, the head of Russian Ministry of Defence and officials, ambassadors and embassy families, officials of Russia-Myanmar Association for Friendship and Cooperation, officials of ETHNOMIR, donors and others for their presence at the ceremony.
As the replica of the Shwezigon Pagoda that was offered the sacred diamond bud and banner today is a milestone of Russia-Myanmar friendship and cultural cooperation, officials concerned are urged to cooperate in measures for long endurance and existence of the pagoda.
Then, the lama monk and the Deputy Minister of the Russian Defence Ministry expressed words of congratulation. The lama monk presented Dhamma gifts to Sitagu Sayadaw and the Senior General who also presented Dhamma gifts to the attendees.
Afterwards, to mark successfully holding the ceremony to offer the sacred diamond bud and banner to the replica pagoda and the consecration ceremony, a commemorative obelisk was unveiled.
Next, Russian landscape artist Mr. Alexander Alexandrovich Shilov presented a portrait of the Senior General to the Senior General.
Sitagu Sayadaw, the Senior General, the Deputy Minister of Russian Defence Ministry and officials of Myanmar Tatmadaw and Russian Federation government had a souvenir group photo taken.
Then, the Senior General and party offered light oil lamps, nine kinds of fruits and alms to the Buddha Image at the pagoda. The Senior General, the Russian Deputy Defence Minister and the vice-speaker of the Russian Federation Council signed in the visitors’ record book of the pagoda.
Later, the Senior General, his wife and party offered food for lunch to the Sayadaws and Sanghas and served lunch to the attendees.
After the luncheon, the Senior General and guests of honour exchanged gifts.
Then, the Senior General met with scholarship trainee officers of the Tatmadaw at the parlour of ETHNOMIR world’s cultural city and delivered a speech, saying he has taken the opportunity to meet the trainees while attending the consecration and diamond orb and pennant-shaped vane hoisting ceremony of the replica of the Shwezigon Pagoda and trainee officers will gain a lot of merit by attending the Buddhist traditional auspicious ceremony in person. Measures were taken to build the pagoda for propagation of Buddha Sasana as a historical milestone in Russia-Myanmar friendship and cultural cooperation. The trainees are required to be serious about the religion one professes by carrying out meritorious deeds and behave properly in accordance with the teaching of Buddha by upholding the principle of compassion.
As trainees are officers who have been studying abroad for a long time, it is necessary for all to understand political developments at home correctly.
Defence services personnel are born out of the public and the Tatmadaw is one of the parts of the country. Therefore, the Tatmadaw has been exerting efforts to move forwards on the path of the multi-party democracy system steadfastly.
Myanmar was unstable in 1988 due to public protests against the one-party system and economic downturn. As the country was at the brink of collapse due to instigations of political parties and foreign countries, which exploited the situation, the Tatmadaw had to assume the responsibilities of the state. After the Tatmadaw exerted consistent efforts to move forwards on the path to democracy desired by the entire people, a democracy government led by U Thein Sein was elected in the first democratic elections and the government made concerted efforts hands in hands with the Tatmadaw.
After the 2015 general election, a new democratic government took office and it was found that the government manipulated laws in the fields of politics, economy, social affairs and administrative affairs by exploiting the political situation.
Then, it was also found that the government attempted to win elections through unscrupulous means before and during the elections. As a result, the Tatmadaw had to urge it to settle the disputes but it not only failed to do so but also tried to take power forcefully. Therefore, the Tatmadaw had to assume the responsibilities of the state in order to strengthen the multiparty democracy path on which the country has been moving forwards and will never derail from the path. The Tatmadaw has been exerting efforts with the aims of strengthening disciplined multi-party democracy and building a union based on democracy and federalism. Historical events are being explained comprehensively to enable the trainee officers to understand the political developments of the country properly.
Every country has to pursue its interests in all sectors including economic, education, social sectors and always move forward.
Without moving forwards, the country will lag behind others. As nurturing human resources is of utmost importance in building a nation, measures are being taken to nurture educated human resources. It is necessary for trainee officers to study the disciplines being taught seriously and exert continuous efforts. As the country and the Tatmadaw have invested a lot of funds and time in sending trainees to other countries, efforts must be exerted to be reliable, educated human resources for oneself, the Tatmadaw and the country. Being defence services personnel, trainees are required to behave properly and to observe regional rules and regulations.
It is necessary for all to take care of themselves based on individual conscientiousness and mindfulness to enjoy good health by behaving properly. In conclusion, the Senior General urged all to contribute to national development of the country by exerting concerted efforts.
Then, the Senior General presented gifts for the trainee officers to their representatives.
Afterwards, the Senior General and wife and delegation left Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow for Kazan Airport in Kazan, Tatarstan Republic by air at the invitation of President of Tatarstan Republic Mr. Rustam Nurgaliyevich Minnikhanov for a working friendly visit in the afternoon local time today. The Senior General and delegation were seen off at the airport by officials from the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Defence.