25 September 2024
A ceremony to donate cash for relief and rehabilitation of areas hit by Typhoon Yagi by State Ovadacariya Chairman of Shwekyin Nikaya Ghanadhipati Solasama head of Shwekyin Nikaya Adhipati of Sitagu World Buddhist Universities and Sitagu Hospitals Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Suddhama Jotika Maha Dhamma Kathika Bahujana Hitadhara Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara and well-wishers was held at meeting hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon.
The ceremony was attended by Sayadaws led by Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara, Chairman of National Natural Disaster Management Committee Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, vice chairmen of the committee, union ministers deputy ministers, departmental heads, well-wishers and officials.
First, members of the Sangha led by Sitagu Sayadaw and congregation paid obeisance to Buddha by reciting Namo Tassa three times.
Then, video clip titled “Let’s overcome natural disaster with unity, which depicts dangerous situations caused by Typhoon Yagi and subsequent floods, search and rescue efforts and delivery of aid, was screen and documentaries of donations to monasteries and nunneries hit by floods in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture were played.
Then, the Vice-Senior General and congregation received five precepts from Sitagu Sayadaw and Sayadaws led by Sitagu recited Dukkhapattaca Nidhadukkha verse and Savhitijaw Vivijantu verse.
Afterward, Sitagu Sayadaw delivered Samwega Katha and Ovada Katha for cash donations.
When cash donations were presented, the Vice-Senior General accepted US$-10,000 donated by Sitagu Sayadaw from a Kappiyakaraka and presented an Anumodana certificate of honour to the Sayadaw.
Then, the Vice-Senior General accepted Ks-100 million donated by the family of Kunkhoya Company and presented a certificate of honour.
Afterward, union ministers and officials led the Vice-Senior General offered religious items to Sayadaws led by Sitagu Sayadaw.
Then, the Vice-Senior General spoke words of thanks for cash donations, saying floods were caused by Typhoon Yagi and heavy rains hit 54 townships in nine regions and states, submerging buildings and schools. Moreover, more than 140,000 people were affected and 419 people were killed by floods, according to statistics available this morning. A total of 253 monasteries and 926 road and bridges were swept away by floods. Many power posts and communications towers were damaged. Similarly, more than 100,000 animals were also killed and 750,000 acres of paddy were also destroyed.
The government has been carrying out relief and rehabili tation task by allocating Ks- 30 billion. Moreover, well-wishers donated Ks- 32.2 billion at a cash donation ceremony held on 21 September and the government has accepted the cash donations.
Such cash donation showed the generosity of well-wisher and business owners. Rehabilitation tasks will be carried out in floodshit areas as soon as possible by spending the cash donations.
Measures are being taken to reopen schools which were closed in floods-hit areas as soon as possible in accordance with the guidance of the Prime Minister while damaged school building are being repaired.
After being hit by Cyclone Mocha last year, floods water entered into Bagan ancient cultural zone. As a result, steps were taken to make water flow quickly and greening tasks in accordance with the guidance of the Head of State by dredging ancient lakes and facilitating drainage systems. As a result, less damage was reported at the ancient cultural zone in the rainy season. Out of 106 ancient lakes in Bagan, 91 lakes are being dredged. 28 of them have been completed and nine are still being dredged. Maintenance tasks are being carried out in 47 lakes with the use of cash donations by members of the Sangha and laypersons.
Due to dredging of lakes and building three drainage system, Bagan was not hit by floods related to Typhoon Yagi and only 11 religious buildings were slightly damaged.
The SAC would like to special express thanks for donations of US$- 10,000 by Sitagu Sayadaw and Ks-100 million by Kunkhoya Company family for victims in floods-hit areas. Floods victims and monks and public will recite Sadu happily. May Sayadaw live more than one-hundred years ! May Sayadaw carry out missionary tasks in physical and mental happiness! May families of well-wishers live healthily and wealthily!
Then, the congregation meditated on merit-sharing sermons delivered by Sitagu Sayadaw.
Then, the Sayadaw administered meritsharing for donations of the Sayadaw and Kunkhoya Company family, wellwishers on 21 September,wellwishers in regions and states and well-wishers abroad by inviting the souls of the dead due to various reasons including floods and landslides to recite Sadu for deliverance of the souls.
The ceremony concluded with three times recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu.
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