Centennial Celebration Program

Dhammachakkavihara Myanmar Buddhist Temple

Saranath, Varanasi, U.P., India

(28th February, 2008 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm)

1. To chant "Namo tassa bhagavto arahato sammasamboddhasa" three times and open the Ceremony.


2. Unveiling the Centennial Monuments.


3. Opening speech by Dr Nandamalabhivamsa, International Therevada Missionary University.


4. Welcome speech and brief introduction of holding the Centennial Celebration by Bhaddanta Wannadhaza (Aggamahasaddhammazotikadhaza).


5. Speech by president of Myanmar Buddhist Society in India.


6. Speech by Bhaddanta Dr Nyanitthaya, Kushinagar Myanmar Buddhist Temple.


7. Speech by the Mayor, Varanasi, U.P., India.


8. Speech by His Excellency U Kyi Thein, Myanmar Ambassador to India.


9. Message from the Chairman of the State Sangha Mahanayaka, the Union of Myanmar.


10. Message from the Minister for Religious Affairs, the Union of Myanmar.


11. To give Centennial Gifts and Souvenir Magazine by Bhaddanta Wannadhaza.


12. Vote of thanks by Bhaddanta Thitzana (Dvipidakadhara, Dvipidakakovida), American.


13. Conclude Ceremony by chanting "Buddham saranam gacchami" three times.


14. Myanmar Cultural Entertainment.

(M.C. Dr. Dhammasami)

Please read Centennial Celebration Program in Myanmar .

Migadawun Myanmar Temple Celebrates 100 Year Anniversary:

Migadawon Myanmar Temple is among the earliest Buddhist Temples established at "Migadava" (the Deer Park) in modern day Saranath, Varanasi, India. The Temple was founded in February, 1908 and by February 2008, the Temple will celebrate its 100 Year Anniversary!

Several activities are being planned for the Celebration on February 28, 2008 (Thursday) including publication of a booklet on the history and activities of the Temple and organization of various religious ceremonies. Venerable U Wannadhaza, Chief Resident Monk of Migadawon Myanmar Buddhist Temple at Sarnath, H.E. U Kyi Thein, Myanmar Ambassador to India, Dr U Than Sein, New Delhi are key personnel in planning and preparation for the Celebration.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION (1908-2008)
MIGADAWON MYANMAR BUDDHIST TEMPLE
DHAMMACHAKKA VIHARA, SARNATH, VARANASI, UP, INDIA

After a few days, as the result of listening to the Buddha's teachings, 55 noble men including the merchant Yasa (Yasha) and his relatives, became the followers of the Buddha, monks (Bhikkhus/Sangha). The Lord commissioned them to spread the Dhamma around the Majjhimadesa and beyond:

"Go forth, Monks, for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare, the good and happiness of both gods and men. Let no two of you go in the same direction. Teach the Dhamma, which is beautiful in the beginning, beautiful in the middle and beautiful in the end. Explain both the letter and spirit of the holy life, completely fulfilled and perfectly pure."

The Gotama Buddha spent the first rains retreat after the enlightenment at Sarnath and had revisited it on second time after thirty-six years. The Buddha again visited Sarnath on several occasions, since a number of discourses were delivered there. In the centuries after the Buddha's final Nirvana, the place had grown into the centre of Buddhist scholarship and art. During the Chinese pilgrim, Huien-tsien's time (around sixth century), there were numerous temples and monasteries with over 1500 monks. Somehow, the place has been abandoned for some period by the Buddhist monks and it was only in early nineteenth century, venerable monks from Myanmar and Sri Lanka tried to reestablish Buddhist temples and guest houses for pilgrims. Archaeological surveys and restoration works were done in late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, Migadawon/Sarnath is one of the most peaceful and pleasant sites of all Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites in the Middle Land. Migadawon is the place where the Buddha initiated the order of the disciples of the Lord Buddha, the Bhikkhus, as Sangha Ratana as one of the triple gems. It is from Sarnath, the Dhamma began its journey to spread around the world.

Venerable Baddanta U Wannadhaza

Chief Resident Monk

Myanmar Buddhist Vihara, Migadawon

Sarnath, UP, India

Venerable Baddanta U Wannadhaza was born in Kyantaw Village, Minbya township, Sittwe District, Rakhine State, Myanmar in the month of Tazaungmon of Myanmar era 1311 (November, 1949).  At the age of 14 years, he became a novice at Theinguttra Yadagun Monastery, Minbya, and studied under the guidance of Venerable Baddanta Pannawunsa.

On reaching 20^th birthday, he moved to the main monastery of Kyanteik Village, to become a full-fledged monk,  under the guidance of Sayadaw Baddanta Gunissara. He had studied Buddhist literature in his young life, not only at Minbya (Rakhine), but also at Hitakayi Pali University in Thaton (Mon State), Bagara Teaching Monastery in Kyeemyindaing, Yangon (Yangon Division), Pajjotayon Pali University in Myaungmya (Ayeyawaddy Division), and Chandramani Monastery in Sittwe (Rakhine).   He moved to India in 1974 to make advance study in Buddhist literature and to support Venerable Migadawon Sayadaw Ashin U Kittima, Chief Resident Monk of Sigara Myanmar Buddhist Temple in Varanasi, and also to support Sayadaw U Teikkheindriya of Migadawon Myanmar Buddhist Temple. Initially he studied at Buddhakundha University in Kushinagar, and later moved to Sanskrit University in Varanasi, to have a Bachelor degree in 1979. He had provided the support to the ailing Sayadaws - U Kittima and U Teikkheindriya, till both Sayadaws died in 1987.

Baddanta U Wannadhaza continued as the Chief Resident Monk of Migadawon Myanmar Vihara, Sarnath, and strived for maintaining various buildings and catering the pilgrimages from Myanmar and other countries. Several new buildings and renovation of old structures have been carried out, after Myanmar Government's promotion of pilgrimage to Buddha places in 1990s till date.

The Government of Myanmar and the pilgrims visiting Sarnath during the last decade have helped the Sayadaw U Wannadhaza's unfailing sadha and viriya, by adding a new three storey rest house for pilgrims, Dhamma Razika Stupa, Temple for 28 Buddhas, a new Dhamma parlour, extension of Kitchen and Dining facility, renovated existing structures to reflect the traditional Myanmar architecture, and improvement to have adequate water supply, sanitation, electricity, cooking facility and transportation.  Sayadaw also organized Vipassana courses, religious trips, other religious festivals at various dates of Buddha’s auspicious days.

Sayadaw U Wannadhaza also helped in establishment of (a) Myanmar Buddhist Monastery (Saccanimitta Vihara) at Sankisa, UP State, India, (b) Myanmar Buddhist Monastery at Vesali, Bihar State, India, (c) U Chandramani – Chetan Balika Junior High School with free education to over 600 students at Sarnath, near Myanmar Monastery, (d) State Middle School at Kyantaw village in Minbya.

Baddanta U Wannadhaza has attended two major Buddhists’ gathering in Myanmar – (i) State Sangha Convention in 2003, and (ii) World Buddhist Conference in 2005 as the Secretary of Payadesi Myanmar Buddhist Sanghanayaka of India.

Venerable U Wannadhaza

Chief Resident Monk

Dhammachakka Vihara Myanmar Buddhist Temple

Sarnath, Varanasi 221007, U.P. India

Tel: (91) 542-2595199; Fax: (91) 542-2595100

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{compiled by U Than Sein, 1 November 2007)