The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, D

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject: The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, December 19, 1999)

The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, December 19, 1999)
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(1)   Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing 
      attend dedication ceremony for Mahasantisukha Buddhist 
       Missionary Centre
(2)   All faiths exist together and are flourishing in Myanmar
(3)   Myanmar Mayflower Bank Ltd opens branch in Hlinethaya
(4)   Secretary-2 inspects implementation of Aungzeya Bridge Project
(5)   Symposium on Mobilization of Financial Resources for 
       Development in Myanmar ends
(6)   Chinese women delegation arrives
(7)   45 members resign from Shwedaung Township NLD
(8)   WEATHER

_______________________ 


(1)   Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing 
      attend dedication ceremony for Mahasantisukha Buddhist 
       Missionary Centre

YANGON, 18 Dec - A ceremony to share merits for Mahasantisukha Buddhist 
Missionary Centre, inaugurated yesterday, was held at Ayeya Hall of the 
Centre in Natchaung Ward,Tamway Township, Yangon Division, this morning, 
attended by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council 
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw 
Kyaing Kyaing.


Also present on the occasion were Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka 
Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika 
Myingyan Koehsaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita, State Ovadasariya Myanmar - 
Sri Lankarama Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Naninda, 
Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha 
Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara and 
member Sayadaws, To Dhammabhandagarika title recipient Sayadaws, invited 
local Sangha, World Buddhist Missionary Agga Maha Paridita Agga Maha 
Saddhammajotika Penang-Singapore Sayadaw Baddanta Pannavamsa, members of the 
Sangha Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia, the United States and Sri Lanka, 
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy 
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) and wife, 
Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council and wife , Secretary-2 
and wife, of, wife of Secretary-3, members of the State Peace and Development 
Council Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief (Air) and 
Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander and their 
wives, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral, Deputy Prime Minister and wife, 
the ministers and their wives, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-Gen Selection 
and Training Board, the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee the 
Mayor and wife, the deputy ministers, the Vice-Mayor, the Director-General of 
the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, officials 
of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Inauguration of Mahasantisukha 
Buddhist Missionary Centre and Subcommittees, members of the Upahtaka of the 
Centre, personalities of internal and international religious associations, 
well-wishers, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association and 
Maternal and Child Welfare Association, teachers of basic education schools 
from Tamway Township and guests.


Before the ceremony, vocalists and harpists of Tipitkka Nikaya Upahtaka 
religious song troupe entertained the guests with religious songs.


At 9.30 am, master of ceremonies Director-General of Religious Affairs 
Department read the agenda of the ceremony.


The congregation recited Namotassa thrice and received the Five Precepts from 
Chairman of the State Sao Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhya Maha Rattha Guru 
Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Myingyan Koehsaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta 
Sobhita.


Afterwards members of the Sangha recited Parittas.

Then, on behalf of the Government of the State Peace and Development Council, 
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council supplicated on 
religious affairs. He said:

Buddha Sasana reached Myanmar at the time Lord Buddha was still - alive and 
Tapussa and Balika, two merchant brothers, brought eight sacred strands of 
hair of Lord Buddiha and enshrined them in the Shwedagon Pagoda; records show 
that at the invitation of Venerable Gavampati, Lord Buddha made a journey to 
Thuwunna Bommi Thaton and also to Legaing Kyaungdawya and Shwesettaw regions 
in Minbu District.


Religious records, ancient pagodas, stupas and temples attest to the fact 
that venerable monks resided in Tagaung, Hanlin and Srikhetsara in Myanmar 
after Lord Buddha attained Nirvana.


Though Sasana reached Myanmar and flourished there, it is found that Sasana 
could not last long; due to lack of Pariyatti treatises, five Nikayas, 
Tri-Pitaka and religious treatises.


In 1600 Buddhist Era, after listening to the sermon of Venerable Shin Arahan, 
King Anawrahta of Bagan strove for the perpetual flourishing of Buddhism, 
thanks to Venerable Shin Arahan and King Anawrahta, the people of Myanmar 
have the chance to pay homage to the Buddhist Sasana and to practise and 
listen to the teachings of Lord Buddha.
 

Ninety percent of the people of Myanmar have faith in the Theravada Buddhist 
Sasana; over 400,000 members of the Sangha have been living in over 52,000 
monasteries, studying Pariyatti treatises, conducting religious courses and 
dispensing the teachings of Buddha for disciples.


The Government, on its part, is promoting Pariyatti Sasana by holding 
religious examinations for members of the Sangha; moreover, Tipidakadhara 
Selection Examination, which is the most difficult in the world and can be 
held only in Myanmar, is held every year, and outstanding members of the 
Sangha who can learn one-third, two-thirds or all of the Tri-Pitaka by heart, 
have emerged.


With regard to Patipatti, there are over one thousand meditation centres, and 
the number of Yogis who practise meditation at the centres, is increasing; 
with a view to ensuring the flourishing of Pariyatti Sasana and Paripatti 
Sasana, the Government is conferring religious titles.


In view of the improvement of the standard of teaching Pali literature 
treatises and Myanmar literature treatises dating back from the time of King 
Anawrahta, it can be said that the teaching of Pariyatti in Myanmar is 
reaching its zenith.

Similarly, the standard of Vipassana practices called Patipatti is found to 
have reached the highest point; those from the four corners of the earth who 
would like to study and practise theravada Buddhist teachings, have come to 
Myanmar and propagated the teaching in their respective countries; so, many 
Theravada Buddhist Sasana monasteries have emerged throughout the world.


As World Buddhist Missionary Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Panavamsa 
has realized that many Theravada Myanmar monks who can preach in English, 
French, German, Chinese and Japanese, are needed; it is necessary to run 
Buddhist missionary courses with the aim of ensuring the emergence of 
missionary Sayadaws who are proficient in foreign languages and know culture 
and customs of respective countries: the Sayadaw requested the Government to 
build A ten-storey building comprising lecture halls to conduct Buddhist 
missionary courses; at the request of the Sayadaw, Chairman of the State 
Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe assigned duties to 
officials concerned.


The Secretary-l himself provided close supervision to raise funds and to get 
construction materials in time; the Ministry of Construction and Asia World 
Construction Company have constructed the building successfully as scheduled.


A stake-driving ceremony for construction of Mahasantisukha Buddhist 
Missionary Centre was held on 27-11-96; on 17-12-99, the inauguration 
ceremony was held and on 18-12-99, merits gained for construction of the 
centre were shared in the presence of members of the Sangha led by the 
Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.


The ten-storey centre is ornamented with Myanmar art works; the centre 
comprises the prayer hall, living quarters, guest rooms, lecture halls 
installed with projectors and audio-video equipment, the meeting hall, Soonsa 
Hall and two lifts.


The successful building of the centre can be attributed to the belief, 
generosity and good intention of the Government and Buddhist people.


In conclusion, the Secretary-l expressed his wishes, ?May I be able to attain 
Nirvana due to merits gained for building and donating the centre; may I be a 
worthy son who can promote Buddhist Sasana in case I go round the circle of 
rebirth; may I see Theravada Buddhist Sasana flourishing in all parts of the 
world and the people of the world imbued with moral virtues; may I be able to 
successfully build the Union of Myanmar into a peaceful, modern and developed 
nation; may Sayadaws and members of the Sangha be able to further promote the 
interest of Sasana with peace of mind; and may all the disciples be able to 
further make donations.?


Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Vice-Chairman of the 
State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence 
Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) and wife, Secretary-l of the State Peace 
and Development Council and wife, Secretary-2 and wife, the wife of 
Secretary-3, members of the State Peace and Development Council, Deputy Prime 
Ministers, Ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the 
Auditor-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, 
the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee the Mayor and deputy 
ministers donated robes and provisions to the Sayadaws.


Afterwards, World Buddhist Missionary Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha 
Saddhammajotika Penang-Singapore Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pannavamsa delivered a 
sermon on Anumodana.


Then, Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha 
Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta 
Kumara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.


After the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing 
performed the rituals of gold and silver showers to mark the success of 
merit-sharing ceremony and then offered ?soon? to the Sayadaws.


Later, the Senior General and party inspected Mahasantisukha Buddhist 
Missionary Centre.


________________________


(2)   All faiths exist together and are flourishing in Myanmar

    
YANGON, 18 Dec - The dinner and gathering commemorating the birthday of 
Christ, jointly held by Myanmar Catholic Priests Council and Myanmar 
Christian Council of Churches, took place at the Traders Hotel at 6.30 pm 
today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council 
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.


Also present on the occasion were ministers, officials of the State Peace and 
Development Council Office, department heads, the archbishops and members of 
Myanmar Catholic Priests Council and Myanmar Christian Council of Churches, 
delegates of other religious associations and guests.


Joint Secretary of Nguza Htaung spoke words of blessings.


Chairman of MCPC Archbishop Matiya extended greetings.


Then, the Secretary-1 extended greetings.


In his greetings, the Secretary-l said today, the beginning of a new century 
or a new millennium is being welcomed all over the world in various ways.


At that time, favourable conditions such as national solidarity, peace and 
tranquillity and consolidation are emerging in the Union of Myanmar; 
therefore, Myanmar is to enter the new millennium with national determination.


The Union of Myanmar has been built Myanmar national races such as Kachin, 
Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan, and they have freedom of 
faith and culture and have been living in the Union for years countable by 
the thousand.


All the national races born in the Union have had the right to preserve their 
respective traditions and culture of high standard since the time of ancient 
Myanmar monarchs and it is also evident that they also have freedom of faith.


Myanmar people believe that all the faiths have power to teach the people 
discipline and code of conduct of human society, social dignity and moral 
virtues.


Similarly, all the faiths emphatically teach loving kindness justice loyalty 
and forgiveness and oppose animosity malice, disloyalty and injustice; in the 
Union of Myanmar where four cardinal virtues namely loving kindness 
compassion, rejoicement at others success and prosperity and indifference are 
flourishing, all the faiths exist together and are flourishing: it reflects 
the magnanimity of Myanmar people.


However, destructive elements who do not wish to see the interests of Myanmar 
are spreading false and fabricated news related to freedom of faith.


Devoted people will not accept their act of using the religion in sowing the 
seeds of discord and suspicion among the people.


The Secretary-1 urged Christian leaders to inform all Christians and the 
people of the world of the absolute condition in which all the faiths exist 
together and are flourishing.


He said all national races in Myanmar respect and practise the attitudes of 
loving kindness, magnanimity and forgiveness and freedom of religion would 
remain as a tradition and would bring about goodwill relations among national 
races.


He said the State Peace and Development Council is making efforts for 
emergence of a peaceful, modern developed nation with added momentum. As 
every religion builds human society based on peace, unity and justice it has 
power to control all citizens to be honest and to possess good morals, he 
said.


He said he believed that all difficulties could be overcome in marching 
towards a goal of emergence of a peaceful, modern developed nation .


The Secretary-l spoke on making efforts for development of Myanmar, national 
solidarity and perpetuation of the Union as the national tasks.


He urged all national races to continue to bring constructive attitudes such 
as stability, tranquillity, unity, justice and progress to millennium with 
Union spirit.


Next, General Secretary of Myanmar Baptist Christian Association Saw 
Margeygyi, Chairman of Kayin Baptist Mission Society, Officer incharge of 
Myanmar Salvation Army Major Naw Phaw Tin, Daw Moe Moe Ei of Methodist 
Church, Loikaw Catholic Priest Charles So Ba Shwe and Pathein Catholic Bishop 
gave the blessing. Members of the association sang hymns.


Catholic Bishops Association Loikaw Catholic Most Rev Sotero Phamo delivered 
a sermon.


Chairman of Independent Christian Church Dr Pa Hsan gave the blessing and 
members of the association sang hymns.


Dinner was served for the guests.

________________________


(3)   Myanmar Mayflower Bank Ltd opens branch in Hlinethaya
    
YANGON, 18 Dec - Myanmar Mayflower Bank Ltd opened its 20th Branch at the 
corner of Yangon-Pathein Road and Kanaung Road in Hlinethaya Industrial Zone 
in Hlinethaya Township, this morning.


The opening ceremony was attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and 
Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Minister for National Planning and 
Economic Development, Minister for Finance and Revenue, Minister at the Prime 
Minister?s Office, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue, Chief of Staff 
(Navy) Commodore, Chief of Staff (Air), Deputy Commander of Yangon Command, 
Director of People?s Militia and Frontier Forces, Officer on Special Duty at 
the State Peace and Development Council Office, Governor of the Central Bank 
of Myanmar, departmental officials, Chairman of Myanmar Mayflower Bank Ltd , 
entrepreneurs and guests.


Minister for Finance and Revenue said MMB is a bank which gives financial 
services for the people employing modern banking techniques and it has now 20 
branches. 

The new branch would carry out financial services for industrial and other 
businesses in the zone, he said.


He said the government has given encouragement to the participation of 
private entrepreneurs in agriculture and industries and the private banks are 
to provide financial assistance to those sectors.


The minister urged the private banks to make efforts for systematic 
development of banking sector with unity in accord with the objectives of 
Myanmar Banks Association.


Minister for National Planning and Economic Development reported on the 
States economic development.


The Secretary-2 they said the government is providing assistance to the 
enterprises of national entrepreneurs and he expressed his leaguer for 
opening of private bank branches nationwide with the help of the Ministry of 
Finance and Revenue.


He said the government provides necessary assistance and gives encouragement 
for development of works of national entrepreneurs. 

The Secretary-2 spoke of the need for entrepreneurs to cooperate with 
sincerity, to work with cetena for national development and building of a 
peaceful modern developed nation and to participate in development of 
agriculture, industrial and trade sectors.


Chairman of Myanmar Mayflower Bank Ltd also spoke on the occasion.


Next, the Secretary-2 and Minister U Khin Maung Thein formally unveiled the 
signboard of the branch.


The Secretary-2 and guests inspected the branch, the eighth one in Yangon.


Arrangements are being made for opening of more branches in majorities in 
states and divisions in 2000.

____________________


(4)   Secretary-2 inspects implementation of Aungzeya Bridge Project

    
YANGON, 1 Dec - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen 
Tin Oo, accompanied by Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore, Chief of Staff (Air), 
Deputy Commander of Yangon Command, Officer on Special Duty at the State 
Peace and Development Council Office and officials, inspected Hlaing River 
Crossing Aungzeya Bridge Project being implemented by Public Works at 1 pm 
today.


Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected progress of work in building approach 
roads and structures on the bank of Insein Township; and construction of No 2 
Pier.


In the briefing hall, Superintending Engineer (Planning) reported on progress 
of work in implementing the project and future tasks and Assistant Engineer 
Daw on construction of No 1 and No 2 Piers.


Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo gave instructions on the completing of construction 
works in June 2000, work site safety and the minimizing of loss and wastage, 
health and Welfare of project workers.

___________________________


(5)   Symposium on Mobilization of Financial Resources for 
       Development in Myanmar ends

    
YANGON, 18 Dec - The Symposium on Mobilization of Financial Resources for 
Development in Myanmar jointly sponsored by Myanmar Institute of Strategic 
and International Studies and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies 
(Singapore), with the support of Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan), continued 
for the second day and the final day at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.


Present on the occasion were officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 
officials of Sasakawa Peace Foundation of Japan and Institute of Southeast 
Asian Studies (Singapore), senior military officers of the Ministry of 
Defence, the Director (News) of News and Periodicals Enterprise and officials 
of dailies, those of National AFTA Unit, departmental officials, scholars 
from universities, private banks, researchers from Japan, Indonesia, the 
Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Myanmar.


On the second-day symposium, Associate, Director Mr Anton H Gunawan of 
Research Institute for Economic and Social Research, University of Indonesia 
presented a paper on Indonesia-Mobilization of Domestic Financial Resources: 
Financial Reforms, Research Associate of Malaysian Institute of Economic 
Research (MIER) Dr Syed Waseem Ahmad on Malaysia Mobilization of Domestic 
Financial Resources: Stock Exchange and Assistant Professor Dr Renato E 
Reside Jr of School of Economics, University of the Philippines, on 
Infrastructure Development in the Philippines: An Overview with Some Lessons 
for Other Countries.


The symposium ended with remarks by Director-General of ASEAN Affairs 
Department, Director Dr Lau Sim Yee of Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Director 
Professor Chia Siow Yue of Institute of Southeast Asian Studies of Singapore.

_______________________


(6)   Chinese women delegation arrives


YANGON, 18 Dec - A five-member delegation led by Vice-President of All China 
Women?s Federation Mrs Shen Shuji arrived here by air this morning.


The Chinese goodwill delegation was welcomed at Yangon International Airport 
by Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Professor 
Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and officials and staff of Chinese Embassy.


The delegation together with Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe visited the Myanma 
Gems Museum on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road and the National Museum on Pyay Road in 
the afternoon. The delegation later visited the Shwedagon Pagoda.

____________________________


(7)   45 members resign from Shwedaung Township NLD


YANGON, 18 Dec - Forty-five members resigned from National League for 
Democracy of Shwedaung Township, Bago Division. 


Forty-five members of Shwedaung Township NLD, Bago Division, of their own 
volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Shwedaung Township 
Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 
11 October 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of 
NLD.

______________________


(8)   WEATHER

Maximum temperature on Dec 17 was 33.0 °C (91°F)

Minimum temperature on Dec 18 was 16.5 °C (62°F)

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