17th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida title recipient Sayadaw honoured amidst joy and happiness of disciples

25 January 2025

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing on 25 January 2025 offered a congratulatory message to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Setthañanalankara, the 17^th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida title recipient in the 77^th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination. The full text of the translated message is as follows: -

I respectfully submit this supplication

I have known that this year’s Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination is being held at Maha Pasana Cave, which is a prominent monument of the 6^th Buddhist Synod on Kaba Aye Hill in Yangon at the late of last year and in the early this year. As my aspiration, I humbly wish for the emergence of venerable monks who will achieve the esteemed titles of Tipitakadhara and Tipitakakovida titles in the Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination, which is one of the most prestigious and longest-running examinations, not only in Myanmar but also in the world.

Therefore, I eagerly awaited the final decision and announcement of the examination results from the Sayadaws of Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Committee. This year, the examinee Sayadaw successfully passed two profound and intricate treatises namely Yamaka and Pathana which are the two last treatises of Abhidhamma Pitaka during the 77^th examination. As a result, the examinee Sayadaw will receive the esteemed title of Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida, along with the exam pass certificate, and a religious flag bearing the picture of honorary three-tier white umbrella with a yellow pivot. This brings an immeasurable sense of pride and joy, akin to experiencing boundless delight.

According to information from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the revered monk was born in Ywabugyi village, YeU Township, Sagaing Region. In 1361 Myanmar Era, he was ordained as a noble monk under the preceptor Venerable Bhaddanta Indacara of the Sawbwalay Monastery, located at 7^th mile in Mayangon Township, Yangon Region. The revered monk has passed the Ganavacaka Samanekyaw, the Pariyatti Sasanalankara Samanekyaw, the Patiyatti Saddhammarekkhita Samanekyaw, the Mingalabyuha Samanekyaw and the Pariyatti Sasanahita Samanekyaw titles. He also stood the first in the Pahtamagyi (senior Pariyatti exam) in Yangon Region as well as the second in the entire nation in 1361 ME, then Sasanadhaja Dhammacariya, Nikayujjotaka Vinayadhara Dhammacariya, Nikayujjotaka Atthavisarada Dighabhanaka, Nikayavuddhisamiti Vinayakovida, Nikayavuddhisamiti Dighanikayakovida, Pariyatti Sasanahita Vinayadhara, Pariyatti Sasanahita Dighabhanaka, Monastery’s Examination for Maha Ganthavamsa Dighagama, Mahaganthavamsa Mula Abhidhammagama, Vinayavidu, Dighanikayavidu, Abhidhammavidu-1/2, Vinayadhara, Vinayakovida, Dighabhanaka, Dighanikayakovida, Mula Abhidhammika, and Mula Abhidhammakovida titles. In continuously making efforts, the revered monk vigorously studied five Vinaya treatises, three Suttanta treatises and seven Abhidhamma treatises which are Tri Pitaka treatises starting from the 70^th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination since 1379 ME. During the set period, the monk could orally recite relevant treatises and secured the Abhidhammika title and Tipitakadhara title.

In the time of the State Administration Council this year, the Sayadaw passed complex and profound meanings in Atthakatha, Tika, Anutika, Yojana, Ganti, and Nissaya which are modified texts of the curriculum in the 77^th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination through the power of the faith, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. As such, the Sayadaw would accept the Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida title to be offered by the State. The venerable Sayadaw is lecturing religious scriptures to the disciples, monks, and members of the Sangha for the preservation and propagation of the Pariyatti Sasana (the study of Buddha’s teachings). It is our wish and prayer that these noble religious activities may continue to be carried out with good health and well-being. On this occasion, as Sayadaw has achieved the prestigious title of Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida and now becomes the 17^th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Sayadaw, a great stalwart of the Buddhism, we express our utmost joy and pride with deep reverence.

                                                                                                                                                                    Min Aung Hlaing

                                                                                                                                                                     Senior General

                                                                                                                                                                         Chairman

                                                                                                                                                           State Administration Council