Profile of the Venerable Buddhist Missionary
Baddanta Ariyavumsa Dr. of Tripitaka((India) Ph.D ( Philosophy.Italy)
Mahagantavasaka Pandita. Maha Saddhama
Jotikadhaja, Aggamaha saddhama
jotika dhaja, Pariyatti Sasana hita dhaj a
Alo-taw Pyai Holy Presiding Sayadaw
There is a time in the certain period of history that a venerable man
is born into the human world who is a dynamic motiovation force 15
bring love, peace, philanthopy and heemanity to the community as well as
the world at large. Such manifertation is apparent since the early year
of childhood, but comes into full bloom in the adult years.
Alo-taw-Pyai Sayadaw proved to be such a venerable persmality. He was
born at Rathaitary town in the Rakhine Stae, on full mon day of nayone
1306 of Myanmar Era (14/5 June 1944). His parcuty were U Nyo Tha Zan and
Daw Nyo. His name of birth was He was novitiated at the monastic school
under the guidance of Sikantaung Tawya Sayataw of Rathaitaung at the
early age of 13.
At the age of 20 he became sayadaw on a
full fledged mouh (Raha) under the precepter the Venerable of Citta.
Such a Meditation monastary at Sittwe, the capital city of Rakhine
State.
The potential Alo-taw-Pyai Sayadaw AShin Ariya Wunnse eaperly
sought achieve the height of percector in Buddhistic studies since the
earlier years of monahood, in the pariyatti doctrinal studies. Thus he
because disciple to the learned Sayadaw of reputable institution of
higer learning. viz zeythukha of suyinbya, Deva sapara theinfore
Dhammikanyme Pali Zustitute of Buddhistic shidier, of Sittway, Banan
Chauk-Htak Kyi Payagyi Monastery of Yangon, Maha vithutaryama monastery
of Nyaung Oo, and made intensive shudier under their able compassionate
guidance. In course of line A shin Ariya Vumsa Completed the entire
syllabon of Pali, Commentaier on Pali explanation etc.
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| With Vice - President |
After
completion of vasic studies on Pariyatti Canmical Studies, the venerable
AshinAriyaVunsa took the teaching able in a series teachinbg monastery
in the Maha Aung Myay Ratana Monestery of Buddhist studies in
Kyaukpataung, Aung Myay Bhodi Dhamma Yeiktha Monestery in Bagan. Nyaung
oo, Aung Myay Ratana teaching monastery in Thingaugyun township, Yangon.
The pursuit of patipatti doctriuel practice of Buddhist teaching is
also an essential precepts of Sasana shere the disciple centenplater on
the Dhamma with supereme concentration and meditation (vissapana)
leading to the realisation of the supreme state of perfection leading to
Nibbana the ultimate cessiation of suffering and the cycle of births
and deaths Sayadaw Ashin Ariyawumsa had studied pariyatta dochions
during the 7 years of monkhood (vara) under the austere course of
learned disciplinarian Sayadaw such as Agamaha paodita Mogok Sayadaw,
Mingun Sayadaw, Shwe thein tawra Sayadaw of Monywa, Weba Sayadaw,
Taung-Pulu Sayadaw.
After fully completing his studies in the
paliyatti and Patipatte discipline and practices A shin Ariya wumsa
chose the ascetic regours of a solitary reduse wandering around the
remote-pagoda, monasterian causes away from dishubing croud-talking only
3 robes, one alws bowls as sanctioned under the Saugha moral codes and
meditated with full concentration for 3 solid years. The venerable one
then sought refuge in the sacred Bagan ancient city of Pagoda to further
his Dhamma practice. He sought self punificate though meditate in the
Tant-kyi-taung pagoda premiers. Then he mediatated for 3 years in the
Kyansittha Sacred cavy. He also conteny susanikanga dhutanga the most
austere practice which a much can. He spent a total of ten years in such
intensive solitary vipassana contenplation.
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| With UN Special Delegate |
A new chapter in the
life long pursuit of Dhamma studies, meditation and contemplation was
opened when the venerable. Ashin Ariyavumsa started to establish a
series of meditate centres teach pakapatte mediate to the devotees. The
first meditate centre was found at Nyaung Oo in 1330 Myanmar Era
(1988AD) attended by more than 100 yogi (disciples on meditate). In 1331
(1989AD) Maha Aung Myay Ratana monestery for Buddhist in Kyauk studies
was established monestery for Buddhist with about 150 attending moks,
many such medidate centres are established in Sittway, Mauk Oo Rathay
taung town in Rakhine State.
The venerable Ashin Ariya wumsa also
taught Pariyatti. Buddhist doctrinal teaching in the after said
monasteries for Buddhistic states. The lasted addition to his pariyatti
propegation missonery endeauous was the establish out of Dhamma cariya
University for Buddhistic studies. A spacionary 1000 monks capacity in
shtute at Seikba a township. Dapan new town in Yangon Division.
The
venerable Ashin Ariyawumsa has also spearheaded the repair and
renovation of ancient pagodas and temples crumlled and decayed by the
ravages of time principally in the sacred Bagan site where thousands of
pagodas were built and concerned more than are thousand years ago. The
unexchange was aggravatd by a disartrious earthquake in 1975 which
devasteted many priceless pagoda in the Bagan area. The venerable
sayadaw helped organize the philanthropic devotees to donate liberally
towards reuooat and repairs to help restirc the priceless herigage of
Bagan as its glay and splendours, with stick confernity to its ancient
architecture and ceeltural heritages. Thus the Alo-taw-Pyai pagoda,
Dhamma Rajaka Pagoda and many ancient pagodas were reuovated and new
Hits oisted with commeusurate pomp and ceremonies. His charitable
eudeavour exterded far beyond Bagan to the entire country where he
reuovate the longstading Mrauk-Oo ancient pagoda, and the cetis along
the Myanmar froutier region. He also hel propagate Buddhist teachings to
the local people and brought than Dhamma light, where the darliness of
pagan and heathen belidrs and guorauce reigned for a long long time. He
also built wary monasteries concerate shally roofed coridars as pagoda,
sitting, standing and reclives is acred images of Buddha. He also
entarbed on internatural missionery understanding for the perpetiate of
would Buddhism and true Hteravada Dhamma teachings. A Dhamma Yeiktha
mediate centre was already established in Sanfransisco, Californire to
with a nine feet high bronze pagoda, and teaching practices of meditate
was in full monestery siwaly a meditate centre was established in
ottarnary Canada too. He has also built and eushived a 27 foot high
pagoda Tioka vizaqya Sayambu in the Bhodhi Sukha Parahita monastery
premunies in calculta India.
5. The Consecration Sermon
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| At Sittwe Airport |
Buddha Perjaniya sermon delivered by the moosh venerable Alo-taw-Pyai
Sayadaw. Bhaddanta Ariya Wumsa, Maha ganhta. Vasaka Pandita, Maha
saddhamma jotika Dhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma jotika Dhaja Pariyatti
Sasanahita dhara on the neosh propitious ceremony auguring the
completion of the renovation of the ancient Alo-taw-Pyay Padoda of
Bagan-Nyaung-Oo area, in strict couformily with age old heritage
followed by successful hoisting of the golden umbrella, the diamond orb
and spire and the golden pennant atop the pinnable of the most sacred
pagoda, and the Buddha abhisak A neka jati consecration celebration on
the full moon day of Nattaw . The ninth month of 1354 Myanmar Era,
9-December 1992 AD.
Today can be heralded as the neosh auspicious
day commemorating the coupletion of the renovation and the hoisting of
the golden umbrella, the golden orb and the golden pennant of the
Alo-taw-Pyay Pagoda, the most sublime cultural and religious heritage in
confermith with ancient cultural and architectural heritage and
Buddhist traditions.
This most revered Pagoda is enshined in the
hardly consecrated site, sihrated in the centre of the ancient Kingdon
of Bagan, reponsitory of the earliest recorded any anau culture and
civilization. Ancient Bagan Nyaung-Oo endearng cultural heritage.
Furthermore the sacred relics of Lord Gautama Buddha, the Ommiscent
self. English Lord one are also enshined in the pagoda by the most
powerful founded of Buddhism, King Anawrahta and his successer King
Kyansittha in the 11th century AD. In feet we can rightfully say that
there sacred relics enbodied the heart and soul of cur, Myanmar pagodas,
most rightfull again w can say with pride that the world has new
acknowledge the ancient Bagan area as the law of the pagoda and and true
cultural heritage site.
The present Alo-taw-Pyay pagoda is also one
of the most rewarded ancient pagodas enshined King Kyansittha himself.
Thus this ceremony to mauk the consearation has heightened the aure and
signifi cance to the heads of state the douors and the mulhitude of
devotees will also be highly subtantial lasting to parpetuty, in the
present as well as future existences.
Lord Buddha the Supreme Omniscent self Englishhood one has taught thus:
To the truly devout disciples who held in venerable the ovecome the
immoral mental conconitants or papanca dhamma, such as sensuourdesires
ancient urog views, the agga savaha the most learned disciples, will
surely enjoy the blessings and benefits which will indeed be beyond
recloing.
Therefore it is highly meritonious to hod in venerable the sacred relics of the Buddha who had attained nibbana.
Every devotee present hence will know the Hteravada Buddhism which had
englishtened the Myanma nation and its people since the Bagan dynaily,
all though the succeeding epochs such as Innwa, Pinya, Touugoo
Amarapara. Tatanapura, Konebaug is been reviewed and susttained up to
the present moment with added aura and momenhim and auspiciourness.
The teachings of Lord Buddha (Buddha Sasana) comprises of three aspects
(a) pariyatti sasana - Doctrinate aspects
(b) palipatt sasana - practical meditation
(c) pativada sasana - penetrative in sight into the four Noble Truths
It is an usefulable fact that the sacred relics, images, repositories
of there relics such as pagodas, temples, caves and monasteries were
initiated by the most revernaed and venerable shin Arahan. He had
converted King Anawrahta empiror of the first Bagan empire into
Buddhism. Thus, all attributes and manifestions of Buddhism in the form
of these imporing struchures were constricted during the Bagan period.
It was in these holy nhaen that the laughs had resided ad perpetirated
the canonical scriphues of Buddhist teaching. It was indeeded the era of
the enligntening of Buddhism.
There were four sacred structures or
objects of worship and veneration that Lord Buddha had ordained for the
entire 5000 years of Buddha sasana. They are (1) Dhatin Ceti (2) Dhamma
Ceti (3) Udissa Ceti and (4) Paribogha Ceti. Ceti is herein defined in
Pali, the language of the scriptures as follows.
"Cayi tabbam, Pujetabbanit Cetiyani,
Jihtakadihi, Citatthava, Ceti yam.,
Ceti is defined thus because it is worthy of praying and veneration
OR the holy structure which is constructed with stones, brick etc is
called ceti. Ceti is such a venerable symbol of worship by human
celestial beings.
To further elaborate on the explanation Dhatu Ceti
is a reporitory of the most sacred relies of Buddha. pacieba Buddha,
Aeahat, and sakkra ruler of the four contineuty Dhamma Ceti is a
compendium of the sacred teachings of Lord Buddha whch include. Paticca
samuppada (law of Dependent Origination) and causal relation the maha
satipalthana and other dhamma teachings inscribed on palm leaves, gold
and silver slabs, stone and nscriptions, etc. The Pariboga Ceti
couristary sacred requibites of Lord Buddha namely. The sacred Bodhi
tree where Buddha attained Enligntnment; sacred robes. Again the
teaching have been dinded into there collection or three barkets,
commonly known as Tipitaka in Pali Script, names So
(a) Sutta pitaka meaning the convention teaching and discourses.
(b) Vinaya pitaka meaning the authrilatrue teaching which embody the ruler discplain highest codes of eshics
(c) Abhidhama pilaka meaning the highest teaching which include the
ultimate, reality (paramaltha) and nibbana, the ultimate cessation.
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| Myanmar President to confer honorary certificate to Alodawpyei abbot |
Hence, I would like to touch on the brief background of this most
sublime and sacred Alo-taw-Pyay pagoda, my avowed mission for the
perpetuation and propagation of Buddhist teachings. My vow also include
renovation of reeined ancient pagoda and reforing then to staturs of
glory and magnificence.
When I first set foot on this sacred Bagan
soil I was only around 80 years old. I was shocked by the sight of
thousands of crumbling red heaps of old pagodas and temples ravaged by
time weather and vandalism. Only the most fanrio anassive and durable
dficer of worship name Ananda, Sabbana, Kataw pallinka, maha Bodhi,
Dhammayangyi, Cula mani, Dhama Rajaka, Shwe Si Khone withstood the
ravager of time to remain in full aura and magnificence.
I was truly
saddened by such state of rein in this vast stretch of laud in the most
sacred loaction which was once the centre of power, prosperity and
culture one thousand year ago during the reigned of King Anawrahta the
founded of the fiult Myanmar Enpire and the also the royal patron of and
foceuded of the pure Hteravada Buddhist teaching in Bagan and hence to
the entire country.
I pondered how can I restores the priceless
heritae of our famous kings, patron of the sultime Buddhist faith, who
has bequeathed the legacier of a thousand years into the hands of our
precent generation. I also imagined untold benefits for our Myanmar
people as well as to the Buddhists and non-Buddhist abroad to admire at
the magnificence of the ancient culture and faith, if restored to their
old glory.
But the task is stupendous tube building castes in the
air. But I took the challenge and vowed to accomplish the unthinhable.
Thus I made a sulemn pledge in the prayer hells of the Kyansittha was
Alo-taw-Pyay pagoda and emvarked on unremitting application of insight
mediation and miudfulness (samatha kammahtana). Within three years my
wishes cause true, and the renovation of Alo-taw-Pyay pagoda is now
successfully completed on this auspiccous day.
In our wonderful land
of pagodas, many devotees throughout centurier of propegator of
Buddhist faith had build, cousecrated and donated millions of pagoda
holy images and replicar for benefith both in the present life and
future existences. Many foreigners, unfamiliar with the teachings of
Buddha and Dhamma tend to regard us as worshippers of idols. in fact
what we worship and pay homage is not the material structures however
imposing they may be what we respect and contemplote are the able
teaching and vistues of Lord Buddha, his Dhamma teaching and the wishes
and supreaure learning of the order of the saughes, who are in essence
the reporitories and custodiaus of Buddhism teaching, precepts and
vinaya discipline. We pay respect of these virtues commony known as the
Tihree Genus. Lord Buddha, when alive was supplicated by the wealthy man
and disciple (Upathaka) to permit him a symbol representing Lord Buddha
to worship during his holy absence. Thus Lord Buddha commauded Ah Shin
Anauda that worshipping the Bodhi Tree will accrue the sauce benefits.
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Myanmar President Then Sein will confer honorary certificates on the
chief abbot of Allotaw Pyi monasteries and patron of the Arakan National
Relief Association Ven-Arriyawantha. According to the Allotaw
Pyi assistant abbot Ven-Kumara, the ceremony will be held at MICC Hall
in Nay Pyi Taw on May 15. Altogether 10 monks and 27 common men will be
given away the honorary certificates in the function. “The
honorary certificate of union level will be given to the monk in
recognition to his social relief implementation programs. Such a
certificate is offered to those who work for the benefit of the society
without selfish interest. So this certificate is more dignitary than any
other certificates. This is an inspiring news that the Myanmar President will distribute the
honorary certificates. It’s a great honour for the Arakanese community
as a whole” said Ven-Kumara. |
He said that there are found kindly of cetis that the devotees can
freely worship. He also said there are four sacred places of Buddha
Chronicle namely Bodhissata's place of birth, the luly grounds of Bodhi
Tree where Lord Buddha attaind supreme self enlightenment, the Migada
forest where he delivered Dhamma Cekka the first discourse; the kingdom
of Make where Lord Buddha entered pari nibbana. Pilgrimage to these four
places samvejaniya will accure benefits and virhies, equally to pay
obeisauc to Lord Buddha when alive.
Alo-taw-Pyay pagoda was located
in the most strategic and beautiful surrounding atop a small hill
overlooking the fascinating scenery of Bagan landscape. This site had
been chosen by most learned venerable shin Arahan and the royal doner
King Kyansittha generations of Myanmar people legends and may be myths
have proved that benefits and virhies may be blessed to those who
devotedly profess the teachings and practise of samathana ad vipasana.
Now I wil deliver the final libation blessing in auspicious Pali, the
language of Lord Buddha. This blessing was used to be delivered by
lesser Buddhas called Paccelia Buddha who attained enlightenment during
zero kappas, who could not deliver Buddha teachings. They could give
blessing for donations with consequents fulfilment.
Icchitan, pattilan, tu shan
khippa meva, samijjhatea
Sabbe purentu Cando
Panna raso yata.
To those geneous donors, discipler and devotees who most respectfully
pay howage to the three precious genus: Lord Buddha, Dhamma, and laughe
with single minded devotion; For to those generous donations given in
charity for the propagation of Buddha Sasana;
May you all be blessed and your wishes and aspirations be consequently fulfilled.
Sadha - Sadha – Sadha
By Kumara Alodawpyei Meditation Center Rangoon Myanmar.
For more information
www.alodawpyei.org
Email.alodawpyei@gmail.com/
alodawpyei@myanmar.com.mm Contact; +0951.545337 / 548861 / GSM. +0959.5014500
References
1. U Ko Lay and - The Greah Chronicle of Buddhas
U Tin Lwin volume one part one by the mosh
(Translators into English) venerable minguh Sayadar
Bhaddants Vicitta sara bhivamsa
(Tipitakadhara Dhammabhandagariks Aqqamaha pardita Abhidhaja Maharattau Guru)
2. Ashin ThiHita - Essential thems of Buddhist lectures
3. Vippassana Research - What Buddhism is
Associated
4. Dr Khin Maung Nyunt - Pagodas and mounments is in Bagan
(Translation)
5. Dr Mehm Tin Mon PhD - The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamm
6. Ashin Pannya Dipia - Dhammapada (Pali, Myanmaa English)
7. Myat Kyaw and San Lwin - A pali myanmar english dictonary of the noble words of the Lord Buddha
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