CHAIRMAN of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla of-
fered day meals to venerable members of the Sangha who will accept religious titles for 2025 at Aggadhipati Sasana Beikman in the precinct of Maravijaya Buddha Park in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
Also, present at the ceremony were State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Chairman Aggamaha Pandita Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Thanlyin Minkyaung Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Candima Bhivamsa, Secretary Mandalay Masoeyein Taikthit Mahanayaka Dhammathameikdi Monastery Sayadaw Aggamaha Pandita Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Mahadhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Bhaddanta Vasettha Bhivamsa, 118 local and foreign title-recipient Sayadaws and two title recipient nuns, SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, the Council Secretary and his wife, the Joint Secretary and his wife, council members and their wives, union-level dignitaries, union ministers and their wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command and officials.
The Senior General offered alms in the emerald alms bowl, fruits, flowers, water and joss sticks to the Naungdawgyi Buddha image of Maravijaya Buddha Image in the Beikman.
The Senior General and his wife, together with the congregation, observed Five Precepts from Chairman Sayadaw and listened to Paritta recited by members of the Sangha.
The Senior General and his wife donated offerings to Chairman Sayadaw, the Vice-Senior General and his wife to Secretary Sayadaw, the Council Secretary and his wife, the Joint Secretary and his wife and distinguished guests to title-recipient Sayadaws, respectively.
The wife of the Senior General also donated alms to title-recipient nuns. The Secretary Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained.
After the ceremony, the Senior General and his wife, and distinguished attendees offered day meals to religious title-recipient Sayadaws and nuns led by the SSMNC Chairman and Secretary Sayadaws. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The UN children's agency says it is opening makeshift learning spaces for children in the Gaza Strip. But it notes that the children are suffering from trauma and are worried about whether the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will continue.

The United Nations Children's Fund, or UNICEF, estimates that more than 90 percent of the schools in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, due to Israel's attacks. It says the few schools that have survived are still being used as shelters.

UNICEF is setting up temporary learning spaces in the Gaza Strip to enable children to study again. The agency says many of the spaces are in tents. The agency says children can learn Arabic, English, math and other subjects. It also says that it is providing the children with stationary, bags and dietary supplements.

A UNICEF official said that children in Gaza have been robbed of their childhoods. She noted that the learning spaces are places where they can get a bit of a "reprieve." But she pointed out that many of the children are experiencing severe symptoms of trauma, due to the intense fighting. She said some children completely withdraw and stop speaking, while others shake and scream when they hear sounds made by drones.

The UNICEF official said children walk up to her when they see her in Gaza. She reported that, while pulling her arm, they ask if the fighting is going to start again and why more assistance has not come.

The official said people are terribly afraid that aid could be completely halted or that the ceasefire could break down.

Source: NHK World

About 38,000 athletes have taken part in the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, one of the nation's largest marathon races.

Members of the public who won a lottery were allowed to participate in Sunday's event. Elite runners from both Japan and abroad were also invited. The race started from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building in Shinjuku at around 9 a.m.

A runner in his 50s from Saitama Prefecture said he has taken part in races across the nation, but this is his first Tokyo Marathon thanks to his good luck in the lottery. He said his goal is to complete the race without injury supported by cheers from spectators along the route.

A woman in her 40s from Osaka said the appeal of this event is to be able to run through popular sights of central Tokyo. She said she is looking forward to seeing the Senso-ji temple and the Tokyo Skytree.

The route took runners to Asakusa, Ginza and other iconic spots of the Japanese capital and finished in front of Tokyo Station. People along the route cheered on the runners, and many of them responded by waving their hands.

The runners smiled as they crossed the finish line. A woman in her 50s from Kanagawa Prefecture said it was a little bit hot, but the onlookers encouraged her and she enjoyed the race.

A Tokyo resident in his 60s said he is determined to keep running into his 70s and 80s.

Traffic has been restricted in a wide area around the marathon route. Some roads will be closed to traffic as late as 9 p.m.

Source : NHK

THE 2,613th Buddha Pujaniya Taboung Festival will be held at the Shwedagon Pagoda for ten days, from 4 to 13 March, according to the pagoda board of trustees.
During the festival, the board of trustees will hold ceremonies dedicated to worshipping the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.
“In the 2,613th Shwedagon Pagoda Buddha Pujaniya Taboung Festival, the Maha Pathana recitation will be included, along with the rice-offering ceremony to over 100 monks, including Ovadacariya Sayadaws. Additionally, 28 Buddha statues will be conveyed onto the pagoda platform for public obeisance,” said U Htay Hlaing, a member of the pagoda board of trustees.
The 2,613th Shwedagon Buddha Pujaniya Taboung Festival will include the conveying of 28 Buddha statues onto the pagoda platform. Additionally, 120 monks from various monasteries in Dagon and Bahan Townships will recite the Maha Pathana continuously for 216 hours, from 4 to 13 March, with the recitation concluding on 13 March, the full moon day of Taboung. — ASH/MKKS

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Source: https://mrtv.gov.mm/

THE Beikthano Archaeological Museum in the ancient Beikthano cultural zone, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, about 12 miles from west of Taungdwingyi township of Magway Region was constructed on 12 July 2004. The construction was completed on 30 November 2007, and the museum was opened to the public on 1 September 2008.
The Beikthano museum features booths of stone, iron and bronze eras, fossil fuels, traditional houses, the Beikthano ancient city map, the history of the city, significant characteristics of Pyu, pre-historical evidence of old Beikthano city, literature explored in Beikthano, Pyu literary writing style, bricks of Pyu era, vase, bronze Buddha statue, bird-shaped urn, model building for the burring urn, royal architectural pieces of evidence, city wall and barrier (model), bowl-shaped urn, coins and beads of Pyu.
The Beikthano Archaeological Museum is established as per the policy of the Ministry of Culture to explore, conserve and improve Myanmar’s cultural heritage, and to cherish the country and people by doing so.
The museum is open free for the public from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily except Mondays and public holidays. — Naung Naung (Beikthano Myay)/KTZH

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

IT is under arrangement to restore the ancient Inwa palace tooth-relic building to its original state, referring to the painting in Parabaik, said archaeologist and writer Bo Shake.
One donor will fund it and it has been submitted to the Department of Archaeology and National Museums to design and rebuild it to its original state as per Parabaik.
“It has been submitted to the archaeological department to renovate the tooth-relic building under the law to the style shown in the Parabaik painting.
We will start working immediately after receiving permission from the department. We will work together with the archaeology department for their advice and technology. Sayagyi U Win Maung will draw the designs based on the Parabaik painting,” he said.
It is a rare tooth-relic building in the palace and a pagoda where people can learn about the Buddhist beliefs and custom of successive ancient Myanmar Kings.
By reconstructing the building, future generations will be able to observe the culture and customs of the ancient kings, he said. The Inwa tooth-relic building is between the Ywaytawyu Gate and the Red Gate of the palace and is located in the innermost part of the three layers of the wall. The only tooth-relic pagoda in Inwa has a very beautiful staircase with intricate reliefs with stucco and is said to be the most beautiful rare work. — MT/ZN

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE Buddha Pujaniya Festival at the Santaw shin Myat Mawtinsun Pagoda in Hainggyikyun Town, Ngaputaw Township, Pathein District, Ayeyawady Region, will be held on a grand scale, according to a member of the pagoda’s board of trustees. 

The festival takes place every year from the 1st Waxing to the Full Moon of Taboung. This year, it will be held from 27 February (the 1st Waxing of Taboung) to 13 March (the Full Moon of Taboung). 

“As it has been held every year, we will hold the festival again this year. During the festival, 45 members of the Sangha will consecrate the pagoda, followed by the recitation of Maha Pathana treatise. On the full moon day of Taboung, we will offer rice to 160 monks to mark the closing ceremony,” said a member of the pagoda’s board of trustees. 

Pilgrims can visit the Myat Mawtinsun Pagoda by both water and land routes. — ASH/TH

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

NAY PYI TAW February 15

Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, SAC members, union ministers, the Yangon Region chief minister, the Yangon Command commander and officials, paid homage to Shwegadon Pagoda on Theingottara Hill, Dagon Township, this morning.

The Senior General and party were welcomed by members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials. The Senior General paid homage to Padamya Myetshin Buddha Image on the upper terrace of the pagoda and offered meals in the Emerald Bowl, flowers, water to the Image.

The Senior General and party climbed onto the scaffolding pagoda and observed the progress in offering gold plates to the Shwedagon Pagoda surface in full. They examined the durability of the diamond orb of the pagoda and offered diamonds, gold, jewels, and religious objects and sprinkled scented water on them. They also observed the panoramic view of Yangon urban development from the scaffolding pagoda and discussed further programs for beautifying and upgrading the city.

The Senior General and party examined the durability of the vane of Shwedagon Pagoda and rejoiced at the donations made by previous well-wishers.

The Senior General installed two gold plates each weighing six ticals (over 98 grams), donated by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, and children and grandchildren on the spire-like structure and sprinkled scented water on the plates.

The Senior General and party heard a report on offering of gold plates to Shwedagon Pagoda throughout the past successive periods and the progress in fully installing gold-plates on the pagoda surface in 2024- 2025, presented by the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and members of the board. They said the entire gold coating process needs 1,200 units of one-foot by one-foot gold plates each weighing six ticals. Up to now, 1,060 plates have been installed. Hence, the project needs 140 plates. The project also needs 10,000 gold plates, each weighing one tical. Up to now, 7,500 plates have been installed. Hence, the project needs 2,500 plates. Well-wishers can donate Ks-15 million per six ticals gold plate and Ks-2.5 million per one tical gold plate.

The Senior General looked into the requirements. The Senior General and party visited the pagoda and urged officials to ensure its sustainability and cleanness.

Shwedagon Pagoda is a sacrosanct religious edifice of Myanmar and Yangon. It had been preserved and maintained by kings, governments and the people throughout the past successive periods. As regards the gold-coating of the Shwedagon Pagoda, its spire-like structure was first gold-plated in 1899. In 1936, gold plates were offered on the ovolo moulding, and during the period between 1949 and 1970 gold-coating was conducted every three or four years. During the period between 1980 and 2019, gold-coating was conducted every four or five years and gold-plates damaged by various causes including natural disasters like Cyclone Nargis were replaced.

From 1980 to 2019 (a period of about 40 years) gold-coating was conducted every four or five years, and the 9th full-surface gold-coating will be carried out in 2024-2025. Scaffolding pagoda was built on 19 September 2024 to offer gold plates. Beginning 18 October, gold plates were carried by a decorated carriage and up to now 80 percent of the work has been completed.

Gold-coating process will be completed in the third week of March this year. At present, the project still needs 140 units of one-foot gold plate each weighing six ticals and 2,500 one tical gold plates. Well-wishers may donate Ks-15 million per six ticals gold plate and Ks-2.5million per one tical gold plate.

Source: Myawady Web Portal
 

FOTIAOQIANG, also known as “Buddha Jumps over the Wall”, is a renowned Fujian dish with a rich history and complex preparation. Legend suggests the aroma of the dish’s stew caused a meditating Buddha to leap over a temple wall, inspiring the name. Traditionally reserved for elite banquets, it combines luxury ingredients like abalone, sea cucumber, and aged wine, creating a harmonious and flavourful broth. The dish requires days of preparation, making it rare and often only available by reservation.
However, the rise of China’s ready-to-eat food industry has made Fotiaoqiang more accessible. Companies like Fujian Hydewin Marine Science and Technology have automated production lines that efficiently prepare and package the dish. With an annual output of 12 million servings, pre-made Fotiaoqiang is now affordable and available worldwide, especially to overseas Chinese communities.
While some chefs, like Yang Weihua, mourn the loss of traditional craftsmanship, the mass production of Fotiaoqiang is seen as a way to preserve heritage and introduce the dish to a broader audience. — Xinhua

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar