9 February 2024
Patron Sayadaw of Nagahnakaung Monastery, Tachilek, Shan State (East), State Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Dr. Bhaddanta Dhammasiri passed away at 0002 honours on 8 February (Thursday) 2024.
Chairman of State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, accompanied by Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo from Office of Commander-in-Chief and wife, senior military officers from Office of Commander-in-Chief and wives, the Triangle Region Command commander and officials, paid respects to the remains of the Sayadaw, placed at the monastery, this afternoon.
First, the Senior General and wife and party paid respects to the Sayadaw’s remains and then, to the member Sayadaws of the panel of patrons of the funeral rites committee led by Patron of Thiladhamma Kontha Tawya Monastery (Wazipeik) Sayadaw Bhaddana Kovida and supplicated on the holding of the funeral rites. The Senior General told officials that the Sayadaw was included in one of the leading eminent monks of the nation. So, plans should be made to hold the funeral rites on the grandest scale, make transport, accommodations and food arrangements for the convenience of visitor monks, nuns and the public from far and near, and ensure adequate water supply. He also looked into other requirements.
Afterward, the Senior General, wife and party received the Five Precepts from Wazipeik Sayadaw, and the Sayadaws recited parittas.
The Senior General and wife then presented donations for the funeral rites to Wazipeik Sayadaw.
Sayadaw Maha Dhamma Kahtika Bahujana Hitadhaja Bhaddanta Nyanasiri of Maha Bodi Kamahtan Monastery delivered a sermon, and the Senior General, wife and party shared the merits gained.
Afterwards, the Senior General, wife and party paid respects to the Sayadaw’s remains.
The would-be Patron Sayadaw of Nagahnakaung Monastery was born of parents, U Haung and Daw Nang Pin, on 9 waning day (Wednesday) of Nattaw, 1290 ME, at Yangkein village, Kengtung, Shan State (East). He became a novice monk under the patronage of Kyaingyin Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Dhammayansi of Kengtung on the fullmoon day of Taboung 1299ME, and entered monkhood on 13 waxing day of Kason, 1310ME. When the novice monk reached the age of ten, he learned basic education. He learned Pariyattai from Kyaingyin Monastery Sayadaw till he passed the mula dhammacari in Gon Shan language in 1320ME. The Sayadaw founded the Nagahnakaung Pariyatti School in 1357ME and later established four branches of pariyatti schools. The schools are running primary level, junior level, middle level and senior level religious classes for Shan monks and novices in Gon Shan language in accord with the government curriculum and had held examinations for 50 times. The Sayadaw started the publication of the Three Pitaka in Pali and religious books in Gon Shan language in 1355ME, and recorded the Three Pitaka on 2500 stone tablets and erected them on the platform of Shadagon Pagoda in Tachilek. Moreover, the Sayadaw donated land for basic education schools in Tachilek, established a home for the aged and an orphanage and provided necessary support, donated land for the district hospital and healthcare buildings. In this way, he took part in religious and welfare undertakings with might and main. Because of those ardent life-long undertakings, the State conferred on him Agga Maha Pandita title in 1992, Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja in 2001, Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika in 2005, and Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru in 2021. Titles were also conferred on the Sayadaw by neighbouring Thailand. The Sayadaw passed away at age 96, vasa 77.
