Nay Pyi Taw March 29
A ceremony to confer the title of Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru on Sayadaw Bhaddanta Tilokabhivamsa (Pali Paragu) of Maha Nandithenayama Pariyyatti Learning Centre in Kyunlon Ooshaung Ward, Chanmyathazi Township, Mandalay Region, took place at the monastery this morning. Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win conferred the title for 2021 on the Sayadaw.
Present on the occasion were the title recipient Sayadaw and members of the Sangha, Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, council member U Moung Har, Chairman of Mandalay Region Administration Council U Maung Ko, Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ko Ko Oo and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and guests.
The ceremony was opened with a three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. The Vice-Senior General and wife and the congregation received the Five Precepts from Sayadaw Tilokabhivamsa.
Then, the Vice-Senior General conferred the title of Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru and regalia on the Sayadaw of Maha Nandithenayama monastery. Then, prerequisites, cash and offertories were presented to the Sayadaw.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sihanada of Maha Dhammikayama Religious Learning Centre of the Yadanabon monastery delivered the Anumodana sermon.The congregation shared the merits gained and the ceremony concluded with a three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu.
Sayadaw Tilokabhivamsa was born to U Han and Daw Paw Myaing in Kangyi(west) Village, Tada U Township, Mandalay Region, on 2nd waxing(Saturday) of Taboung in 1294 ME. He was novitiated on 15th waxing of Pyatho 1305 ME. He was ordained into monkhood under the patronage of the Sayadaw Bhaddanta Candima of Kyunoo Pariyatti Learning Centre on 8th waxing of Pyatho 1314 ME. He is 88 years of age and has 68 vasa.
He passed the junior, middle and senior level Pahtamapyan examinations held by the government and passed the Sasanadhaja Dhamacariya examination in 1958 and the Sasanadhaja Siripavara Dhamacariya examination in 1961. He is now giving Pariyati literature to the student monks at Nandithenayama Pariyati Learning Centre. He compiled Patajikan Alinpya treatise. The Sayadaw served as the secretary of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee, the chair of Posshaka body of Pariyati Sasanadika examination of Tada U, the Posshaka of Sudhdamma Pariyati examination of Toungoo, Pariyati Sasananuggaha examination of Daik U, Ponnyamyinzari Samanaekyaw examination of Myingyan, Ovadacariya of Chanthagyi rice donation association of Mandalay. He is now serving religious duties as a member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha. For his ardent perseverance in serving the interest of Buddha Sasana and is imbued with religious virtues of various kinds, the Sayadaw was conferenced the title of Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru.
Afterwards, the Vice-Senior General and wife and party offered flowers, water and lights and gold foils and paid homage to the Maha Muni Buddha Image in Mandalay.
They also paid homage to ancient Thathtuthukan Shweyinye Buddha Image, Hsinkyo Shwegu Katkyaw Pagoda, Thanthekatkyaw Buddha Image cast with iron, and offered flowers, water and lights and made cash donations.