Stake-Driving Ceremony Held for Construction of Pathein Bridge

The stake-driving ceremony for construction of Pathein Bridge across Ngawun River to link Mayanchaung village on the east bank with Kanni village on the west bank of Ngawun River in Pathein Township, Ayeyawady Division, was held at the pandal near Mayanchaung village on 30 July. Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army), Vice-Senior General Maung Aye attended the ceremony and press the button to drive the bore pile for construction of the bridge. In review of Ayeyawady Division in 1988, as for a local resident, to see such modern bridges as Bo Myat Tun, Maubin, Dedaye and Myaungmya in the division was a dream. Most of the roads stretching over 400 miles in the division did not interlink each other and so they were not reliable ones. But, now in the division, there has been an increase in the number of tarred roads stretching over 1,300 miles and altogether 39180-foot-and-above bridges have been built. The government had to spend K 19,420 million plus over 20 million US$ for emergence of a network of roads and bridges in the division. So the people can easily travel from one place to another in the division crossing Ayeyawady, Ngawun, Yway, Bogale, Toe, Pantanaw and Einme rivers. The Ngawun River is reliable for waterway but was a natural barrier in travelling by and, causing a great hindrance to the transport sector and regional development. That is why arrangements are being made to build Ngawun river-crossing bridges— Ngawun Bridge (Pathein) and Ngawun Bridge (Myokwin) — in addition to the existing Ngawun Railroad Bridge (Myokwin), Ngawun Bridge (Ngathaingchaung). On completion, the bridge will contribute towards the transport sector for the convenience of over 300,000 people residing in 488 villages of 93 village-tracts in Pathein, Yekyi, Thabaung and Ngapudaw townships on west bank of Ngawun River.

Local products such as marine products, rice, dried coconut and forest products can easily be transported to other regions. On completion of Thabaung Pulp Mill being built by the Ministry of Industry-1, the products can also be sent in a short time, contributing much toward swift commodity flow. Moreover, people from Mawtinsun on west Pathein bank can access to Union Highways such as Pathein-Yangon Road and Pathein-Monywa Road through Thabaung-Kyangin Road or Thandwe-Gwa-Yenantha-Thabaung Road. The Ministry of Construction spending over K 80,000 million plus over US$ 147 million in constructing roads and bridges in the states and divisions. The Bridge Construction Project Group 8 of Public Works will undertake the project. On completion, the bridge will be a 2,680 feet long steel suspension one with a 28-foot-wide motorway on it.

Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win on 3 August attended the opening ceremony of Homalin Airport in Homalin, Khanti District, Sagaing Division. Homalin Airport was just the one at which the small aircraft could land and take off in the past. The runway was then the 2900 feet long gravel one. Since modern aricraft could not use the airport, Homalin, Lashi and Htamanthi were difficult of access. They could be accessible by waterways and land, taking much of time.

Nowadays, with the emergence of modern Homalin Airport, local people and service personnel are enjoying the fruits of better transport. There were only 21 airports in 1988 and there are now 26 airports including Homalin Airport. There were six airports at which F-28 fokker Jets could land and take off and there are now 17 airports at which F-28 fokker jets could land and take off.

Homalin Airport was built in 1976. The runway of airport had been upgraded into the 9000 feet long, 200 feet wide. Arrangements have been made to upgrade the airport into the one at which Boeing 747-400 can land and take off.

Baingda Bridge built on Yangon-Mandalay Highway in Nyaunglaybin Township, Bago Division by Public Works of the Ministry of Construction was opened on 12 August. Baingda Bridge is the 15th one in Bago Division, costing K 609.4 million. A total of K 5,651.7 million plus US$ 8.735 million were spent on construction of 15 bridges in Bago Division. The 300-ft long bridge lies on the Bago -Taungoo road section of the Yangon-Mandalay Highway, in Nyaunglaybin Township, Bago Division. It has five 60-ft spans. Its motorway is 50 feet long and it has five-ft wide pedestrian on either side. The clearance is 48 feet and five inches. Its upper structure is constructed with reinforced concrete frames its floor is of concrete type. It can bear 60-ton loads. The Bridge Construction Special Group-13 of the Ministry Construction built the bridge on 5 May 2001 and finished on 15 May 2003.

Senior General Than Shwe, the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr. P J Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Jamaica, which falls on 4 August 2003.

On the occasion of the 38th Anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Singapore which falls on 9 August 2003, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent messages of felicitations to His Excellency Mr. S R Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore and His Excellency Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt received Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme and Coordinator of the UN organizations Mr. Charles Petrie at the Ministry of Defence on 4 August.

Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretar-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt received Mr. P Dayaratne, Health Minister of the Sri Lanka, and party at the Zayathiri hall in Yangon on 11 August.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt received visiting Professor David I. Steinberg of Georgetown University of the United States of America in Yangon on 7 August.

The Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Finance and Revenue arrived back Yangon by air on 8 August after attending the 7th Meeting of ASEAN Finance Ministers held in Makati of the Philippines from 6 to 7 August. On 6 August, the 7th Meeting of ASEAN Finance Ministers was held in Makati, the Philippine. Minister of Finance of the Philippines Jose Isidro N Camacho presided over the meeting. The Secretary-General of ASEAN presented ASEAN Economic Report. Minister for Finance and Revenue of Myanmar reported on current condition and prospect of Myanmar economy. The Makati mayor extended greetings at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Finance Ministers' Meeting. Also, the President of the Philippines made an opening speech.

At the meeting, ASEAN Roadmap for Finance Integration was approved. On 7 August, the 6th meeting of ASEAN+3 was held, ADB Chairman Mr. Tadao Chino reported on condition of East Asia economy. The finance ministers took part in the discussions. Views on bilateral swap arrangements and funds for Asian loan contract were exchanged. Afterwards, the signing ceremony of Protocol Governing the Implementation of the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature and Agreement and Terms of Reference on the Establishment of ASEAN Finance Cooperation Funds was held. Next, ASEAN Joint Ministerial Statement, ASEAN+3 Joint Ministerial Statement and Chairman's Statement on the Asia Bond Markets Initiative were released and press conference was held. On arrival in Manila on 6 August, the minister received President & Chief Executive Officer of Marubeni Co Ltd Mr. Ryukichi Kawaguchi and party and discussed matters of mutual interest.

A Special Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials took place at the Popa Hotel in Kyaukpadaung Township, Magwe Division on 5 August.

Present at the meeting were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, Mr. Pg Dato Paduka Osman Patra, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Dr. Chem Widhya; Director-General of the Asia-Pacific and Africa Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Dr. Makarim Wibisono, Laotian Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Bounkeut Sangsomsak, General Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Hj Abdul Razak; Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Mrs. Sonia C Brady; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Mr. Tan Chin Tiong; Permanent Vice-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul; acting Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam, Mr. Pham Huu Chi; Director of the ASEAN Secretariat Mr. Noordin Azhari and Director-General of the Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar, U Thaung Tun.

At the meeting, matters related to the setup of ASEAN Economic Community- AEC and ASEAN Security Community- ASC as well as regional issues were discussed. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar also hosted a dinner in honour of the delegates to the meeting at the Popa Hotel. The ASEAN delegates visited the Bagan Cultural Museum and ancient pagodas in Bagan on 5 to 6 August. The delegates arrived back Yangon from Bagan NyaungU on 6 August.

Minister for hotels and Tourism and for Communications, Posts and Telegraph left Yangon for Beijing, People’s Republic of China, by air on 7 August to attend the Special Meeting of ASEAN+3 Tourism Ministers to be held in Beijing, the PRC, from 7 to 10 August.

The Hydro-electric Power Department (HPD) under the Ministry of Electric Power entered into a contract with the Yunnan Machinery and Equipment Import & Export Corporation (YMEC) of the People’s Republic of China to implement the Shweli hydel power project in Namhkam Township, northern Shan State. The signing ceremony took place at the International Business Centre in Yagon on 8 August.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Electric Power pointed out the fact the Union of Myanmar and the People’s Republic of China have enjoyed perpetual friendship and have been good neighbours for so many years. Likewise, the Myanma Electric Power Enterprise under the Ministry of Electric Power and the YMEC have been working together since 1991 when the construction project of the Kyein Khayankha power station started. The YMEC took part in the construction of power stations, medium and small, including Namhmyaw, Namwok, Zawgyi-1 and Zaungtu power stations and is also cooperating in the construction project of the 280-megawatt Paunglaung hydel power station. The Shweli hydel power station will always represent cooperation milestone between Myanmar and China and will also serve as a friendship monument. Mr. Shao Quwei of YMEC also spoke on the occasion. Director-General of the HPD and Mr. Feng Ke of YMEC signed the contract and exchanged the documents.

Preliminary engineering work for the Shweli hydel power station project is under way on Shweli river, 15 miles south-west of Namhkam town, northern Shan State. The Shweli hydel power station will generate 3,042 million units of electricity every year. The contract is worth US$ 150 million. The digging of the diversion tunnel and the construction of power station and subpower station will be undertaken by the HPD at a cost of some US$ 26 million, based on mutual friendship and cooperation.

The English version of the book on Myanmar Laws (1993-1994), compiled by the Attorney-General’s Office has been published on 4 August.

The opening ceremony of the four-storey paediatric ward of the General Hospital (West Yangon) under the Ministry of Health took place on 5 August at the hospital, attended by Minister for Health.

The 16th gems and jade sale (2003) of the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd began on 5 August at Myanma Gems Emporium Hall in Yangon. At the sale, 268 lots of jade with the floor price of US$ 1,921,042, 176 lots of gems out of 254 lots with the floor price of K 390 million and 78 lots with the floor price of US$ 652,000 will be sold through tender or competitive bidding system.

According to the source, the authorities at Hukaung valley are taking measures to reduce wild animal hunting and interference of wildlife so as to establish the world's largest Tiger Reserve Region in accordance with the proposal made by WCS. In order to prevent tiger from the potential of being endangered species, Ministry of Forestry is planning to transform 2500 square mile acres of Hukaung valley to a wildlife sanctuary.

South Korea’s MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation) is reported to hold its 40th anniversary celebration at MBC headquarter in Daegu on 2nd October, 2003. The celebration will be held until 6th October. During the celebration, Myanmar is to hold "Myanmar Cultural Show". ITT Co, Ltd and Fortune International Ltd, invite business firms to participate. The show is aimed to promote Myanmar products such as handicrafts, tapestries, lacquerwares, agriculture products, gems & jewellary, traditional foods, clothings, timber and timber products. Entertainments will be included in the cultural show.

Myanmar Golf Tour-2003, organized by the Myanmar Golf Federation (MGF) and Myanmar PGA will be held on a grand scale in four cities in Myanmar. Kaung Myat Golf Open Championship will be held at the Yetagontaung golf club in Mandalay from 4 to 7 September; Mandalay Open Golf Championship at the Shwezayan golf club in Mandalay from 16 to 19 October; Kanbawza Open Golf Championship at the Ayethaya golf club in Taunggyi from 4 to 7 November; Myanmar PGA and Myanmar Golf Federation President Cup at the Hanthawady golf club in Bago from 25 to 28 November; and the Fifth Golf Tour at Yangon golf club in Yangon from 9 to 12 December.

State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt attended the 14th respect-paying ceremony for parents, organized by the University of Catholic Youth Apostolate (Yangon), held in Yangon on 3 August. General Khin Nyunt made a speech. He said: It is an auspicious occasion because in accord with the teachings of Christianity, knowing the attributes of parents and paying respects to them every year is following the noble tradition. In the Ten Commandments, which is accepted as the highest practice of Christianity given by the God, the fourth one states that revere thy parents.

In Christian literature, there always include the teachings to revere parents and follow their teachings. It is sure that with the following of religious teachings, members of Catholic Youth Apostolate will become dutiful citizens and the ones who can serve the interests of human society. Member youths of the Catholic Youth Apostolate are the honourable ones because they are undertaking the tasks leading the other youths to revere the parents, to follow the teachings of parents to become polite and obedient ones, to avoid evil doings by devoting their religion and to raise the morale of youths. In Myanmar tradition also, it is said that the gratitude of the parent is greater then the Myintmo Mountain and the parents are the first ever teachers of their children and they are paid respects as one of the Five Benefactors.

As Myanmar society is based on families, the parents who lead the family can serve the interests of society through their children. If the parents guide their children to be polite, to become dutiful ones of society, to be educated, to live and act according to the teachings of their faith and to be filled with physical and mental power, there will emerge good sons and daughters who will bring about the development of the nation and the race. With an increase in such good families, the nation led by good leaders will emerge. Therefore, the teachings of parents for their children to love and cherish the nation and the race, to be faithful to the country, to abide by the laws and rules and regulations of the State together with religious teachings, to forge unity, equality and freedom are not only in conformity with the religious teachings but also amount to enhancing the prestige of the nation and the race. Sons and daughters, on their part, are to respond the parents through their love and reverence for them, following their teachings and looking after the aged parents. All the religions guide that a person who serve his or her parents will be blessed with long life, wealth, free from blemish and danger.

The government is at present making strenuous efforts for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation and for enabling the national brethren residing in the Union to strive hand in hand in amity in the interests of the State and the people. The Union of Myanmar is like a family. The national brethren who reside in the Union are of family regardless of race and religion, and the government is like their parent. If members of the family live in unity and amity sharing weal and woe under the shade of the parents, there will emerge a family enjoying peace and happiness. If such, conditions can be created, the ill intention of foreign nations will surely fade away.

This being the case, the nurturing of youths by the Catholic Youth Apostolate in line with the noble teachings of the religion is of great help in ensuring the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation and in realizing the national objectives. He wished the Christian youths to be able to serve the interests of the State and the people hand in hand with youths of other religions while preserving the fine traditions of paying respects to the parents annually. He wished the well-being of the parents and all the people in the whole country. He urged them to observe the teachings of their faiths, parents and teachers and to strive for flouring of noble teachings and to build a peaceful developed nation through happy families under the correct leadership of the parents.

Three students of Myanmar won one gold prize and two honourable mention prizes in Year 2002 10th Annual World Children's Painting Contest organized by Le-No-Hikari Association of Japan.

In the contest, Maung Oak Ga Tin Moe of No (7) Basic Education Middle School of Chanayethazan Townshiup in Mandalay won gold prize under the title "My Lovely World". Ma Su Yadana Tun of No (1) BEHS of Dagon Township, Yangon and Ma Yadana Suan Htet Kyaw of No (4) BEPS of Chanayethazan Township in Mandalay won the honourable mention prizes under the titles "Ceremony of Freeing the animals" and "My Family". A total of over 38,000 pictures of the children from 58 countries participated in the contest.

In commemoration of the 36th anniversary of ASEAN Day which falls on 8th August 2003, the Myanmar ASEAN Women’s Friendship Association organized the ASEAN Food Festival at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yangon on 2 August. Leader of the Panel of Patrons of MAWFA attended and opened the festival. Also present on the occasion were members of the Panel of Patrons, Honourable members, executive members Ambassador of the Philippines and wives of ambassadors from the ASEAN Embassies in Yangon, families of the diplomatic corps and United Nations agencies in Yangon, members of the association and guests.

The authorities concerned received information in advance that the anti-government organizations abroad, ABSDF terrorist group under the name of students abroad and the remnants of the Burma Communist Party had been constantly committing terrorist acts by sending bombers into the nation to cause panic among the people and by detonating bombs to kill innocent people. They exploded three time bombs in Monywa on 4 August.

Acting on the information given by a civilian, the authorities at about 11 am on 7 August exposed a time bomb planted near the embankment at Yongyi Ward in Monywa. The authorities concerned are in hot pursuit of the terrorists who committed destructive acts.

The Myanmar Maritime University under the Ministry of Transport will be opened on 1 December 2003 for 2003-2004 academic year. At the university, five-year courses for BE (Naval Architecture), BE (Marine Engineering), BE (Port & Harbours Engineering), BE (River & Ocean Engineering), BE (Marine Electrical Systems & Electronics) and B.Sc (Hons) (Nautical Science) will be conducted.

The Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University under the Ministry of Science and Technology for 2003-2004 academic year will be opened on 1 December 2003. Five-year courses for BE (Aerospace-Propulsion & Flight Vehicles), BE (Aerospace Avionics), BE(Aerospace-Electrical Systems and Instrumentation) and BE (Aerospace-Fuel & Propellant Engineering) will be conducted at the University.

The three under-graduate diploma courses — Diploma in Engineer & Airframe Technology Diploma in Avionics Technology and Diploma in Electrical & Instrumentation Technology — will be opened at the Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University beginning 1 December 2003. Each course will last two years.

Exhibition The opening of Myanmar Traditional Musical Instrument Exhibition organized by the Ministry of Culture took place at the National Museum in Yangon on 9 August, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt. A total of 15 musical instruments were displayed at the central Myanmar traditional orchestra booth; various ancient musical instruments at the reign of Myanmar kings at the Myanmar musical instrument background booth; 21 instruments, at the bronze musical instruments booth; 30 instruments, at the string musical instruments booth; 19 instruments, at the booth of musical instruments made of leather; 61 instruments, at the wind instruments booth; 10 instruments, at the clappers booth; nine instruments, at the booth of old Myanmar musicians; and 35 instruments, at the booth of other musical instruments. In the middle of the exhibition, grand and splendid Myanmar musical instruments- Rakhine traditional drum, Shan traditional drum, Kachin Manaw drum, Setalonpaing drum of Htanawt race made some 300 years ago, Mon traditional brass gong circle and bamboo xylophone with glass mosaic embedded in gilding- are displayed.

Peer Educators Meeting jointly organized by Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MMCWA) and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) was opened at the MMCWA in Yangon on 11 August.

President of MMCWA made a speech on the occasion. Assistant Resident Representative of UNFPA reported on UNFPA’s special programme being launched in Myanmar and Join-Secretary of MMCWA on the reproductive health project. Then group discussions were held. The meeting continues on 12 August.

The Myanmar Consulate General in Hong Kong and local and foreign wellwishers donated SARS-preventive medical equipment and antibiotics to the National Health Committee at a ceremony held in Yangon on 12 August. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt accepted the donations and gave away certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt handed over the medical equipment and medicines to Minister for Health and Director of Medical Services of Ministry of Defence.The donations of medical equipment and medicines by the Myanmar Consulate General in Hong Kong and foreign wellwishers were 480N-95 masks, 1,000 pairs of glove, 5 pieces of Braun Ear Thermometer, 500 pieces of Isolation Gown, one piece of Fukuda Denshi ECG Analyzer (FCP 2155), and one piece of Kukuda Denshi ECG (Fx2111);10 pieces of Ray Tek Nocontact Thermometer; 155 150 mg-bottles of Epivir, 1,161 50ml-bottles of Zinnat Suspension, and 500 Face Masks. This is the third time that the Myanmar Consulate General in Hong Kong and foreign well wishers have donated medical equipment and medicines.

The opening of the Second Bi-regional Partners Meeting on Harm Reduction Among Injection Drug Users, organized by the Ministry of Health of the Union of Myanmar and the World Health Organization was held in Yangon on 13 August. Present on the occasion were Minister for Health, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Deputy Minister for Health, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force, Resident Representatives of the WHO Dr. Agostino Borra, resident representatives of UN agencies, officials of the WHO Headquarters, WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Offices, delegates of Cambodia, Nepal, the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and India and NGOs, heads of departments under the ministry, social organizations and distinguished guests.

The Minister for Health said that, "Although there are limited resources, like several other countries in the region, to combat growing problems of some infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, and different forms of narcotic abuse, Myanmar has determined to achieve the goal of narcotic elimination in 15 years even with our own resources. Now we are in the fifth year of elimination programme and have achieved visible improvements in reducing narcotic production and trafficking, expanding crop substitution programmes, and promoting detoxification and rehabilitation of addicted persons. In addition to the increasing health expenditure of the government, these programmes have also been supported by UN agencies NGOs and some governments. Along with increasing pace of programme implementation in all strategic areas, "Drug Free Zones" have been declared in some special regions where national groups are actively participating in the drug control and rehabilitation programmes.

UNODC, Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association (MANA) and some international NGOs are also working in collaboration with the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) to prevent and control drug use problems by all possible means. In addition, with increasing inputs from UN and other partners in the recent years, definite targets have been set to reduce HIV/AIDS related harm among injecting drug users in the National Strategic Plan (2001-2004) of NAP and the Joint Plan of Action (2003-2005) developed by UN and all other partners.

As a member of ASEAN, Myanmar has also endorsed the ASEAN Workplan on HIV/AIDS II (2002-2005), in which HIV prevention, treatment and care among drug users is a major component as well. Myanmar is trying to create an enabling environment in the selected townships where drug users will be accessible to information, care and support services. In these areas, local authorities, community members, health and related sectors and the national NGOs are working together to achieve the objectives of our programmes."

A combined team acting on information, searched a jeep on its way from Kale to Chin State at the 8-mile check-point in Kale on 5 July. The team arrested passenger Ma Ket Htway together with 144.961 grams of heroin covered by groundnut in the polythene bag. Action is being taken against Ma Ket Htway of Monta Village in Kale under Sections 15/19 (A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Kale Police Station.

A combined team, acting on information, searched the house in Maha Aungmyay Township, Mandalay, on 15 October last year. The team seized 0.8124 kilo of raw opium owned by Naing Myint Tun and wife Ma Hay Mar Win who were staying at the house.

Mandalay No (9) Police Station opened the case and filed Ma Sanda Hnin (a) Ma Swe, Ma Hay Mar Win of South Okkalapa Township, and Naing Myint Tun under Sections 15/19(A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. Mandalay District Court handed down 12 years imprisonment each on Ma Hay Mar Win and Naing Myint Tun under Section 19(A) on 1 July.

A combined team in Tamu township, Sagaing Division on 10 July seized 816.5 grams of raw opium from Anyi (a) Lum Kho Gin, between border checkpoints 1 and 2 in Tamu. In connection with the case, action was taken against Anyi (a) Lun Kho Gin of Tamu, under Section 15/19 (A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Tamu Police Station.

Sayey Tan Pwe which may best be rendered into English as the " Festival for Casting lots " was the traditional festival held in Wakhaung, in days of yore. "Sayey tans" are lots to decide which monk will receive food or gift or alms in a religious offering (charity). The custom of casting lots in religious charity originated in the life time of the Lord Buddha. While the Lord Buddha was residing in the Weiluwun Vihara at the capital of Yazagyoe (Rajagraha) famine hit the city and there was scarcity of food. Buddhist devotees could no longer provide "hswan" (food for bhikhus or monks) for all monks of the Vihara. Some wanted to select ten or twenty monks to offer food. Some preferred to cast lots so as to decide the recipient monks. Some thought of offering food to the monks only on salbath days when they came to the Vihara for fasting and observing of moral precepts. Others chose the day after the Sabbath day for offering food because they thought that was the day the monks were in real need of food. Being unable to reach a consensus of opinion the devotees referred the matter to the Lord Buddha.

Where upon the Lord Buddha expounded seven different modes of offering food to the monks. They were as follows:

Sangha-bhat which is the food offered to all monks.

Uddesa-bhat which is the food offered particularly to one or two monks.

Nimantana-bhat which is the food offered to the invited monks.

Salaka-bhat which is the food offered to the monks chosen by casting lots.

Pakkhika-bhat which is the food offered to the monks on the waxing and waning moon days.

Uposathika-bhat which is the food offered to the monks on the Sabbath day.

Patipadika-bhat which is the food offered to the monks on the day after the Sabbath day.

The Lord Buddha then said that he approved of all of them. Since that time offering of food to the monks by casting lots became a common practice among Buddhist devotees. With the permission and at the direction of the Lord Buddha, the monks chose one monk from among themselves and appointed him "Bhattuddesaka" i.e. the monk who was in charge of alloting food offered by the devotees. The monk thus chosen and appointed must have special qualifications such as good health, activeness, managerial skill, freedom from bias and prejudice and being able to keep the correct list of alloted and unalloted monks. The first monk appointed in that charge during the life time of the Lord Buddha was Maha Thera Ashin Datba, the son of the Malla king. He discharged the duty of alloting Uddesa-bhat, Nimantana-bhat and Salaka-bhat with fairness and correctness.

The lots are either wooden sticks or bamboo slats or bamboo strips or palm leaves or pei leaves on which names and addresses of the donors of food are written. The lots are then put into the basket and the basket is shaken upside down many times so that the lots are thoroughly shuffled. The monks queue up either according to their serial number if such numbers are given them or according to the seniority of their Vasa (ordained age) to draw the lot. They then go to the houses as directed by the letters written on their lots to partake of the food offered there.

During the life time of the Lord Buddha, offering of food to the monks by casting lots could be made at any place, on any date and in any month. There was no rule fixing its place date and month. But Myanmar kings chose Wakhaung as the month for performing this religious function because the monks observing lent vows and residing together in the same monastery might have difficulty in getting sufficient food in Wakhaung. Originally casting lots was to provide food to the monks. But later, eight priestly utensils namely three pieces of yellow robe, the girdle the alms bowl, the adze, the water dipper, and the sewing needle plus other offertories are also donated by casting lots. Such articles are hung up on a tree-shaped stand which is called "Padei-tha-bin" meaning the tree of plenty and variety, comparable to the mythical cornucopia.

In Myanmar the earliest evidence of offering food to monks by casting lots was found in the stone inscriptions of ancient Bagan. In lines 22 and 23 of Saw Hla Wun Pagoda inscriptions of A.D. 1268, 1290 and 1291, there were mentions of Sayei Tan (casting lots). There is one oral history which tells how offering food by casting lots originated in Myanmar. During the reign of King Thihathu (A.D. 1298-1312) of the Pinya dynasty (A.D. 1298-1364) a big wooden monastery was built by the royal order and the king decreed that "he who hath the courage let him take possession of it". At that time there was one head-monk named "Soo Twin Pyit Sayadaw" who was very famous for his learning and knowledge. Hearing the royal decree the monk took occupancy of the monastery. Later the Sayadaw advised the king that the best way to find the deserving occupant for the monastery was by casting lots. From that time began the casting lots festival. Later in the reign of King Thalun (A.D. 1629-48) of the Nyaung Yan dynasty (A.D. 1599-1752) there appeared two religious translations namely Culava-palinisaya and Culavapali Athakatha nisaya by the most venerable monk Shwe Umin Sayadaw the two Pali words "Salaka" and "Bhatta" as "Sayey Tan" and "Hswan". "Salaka" means wooden or bamboo sticks on which letters were written and "Bhatta" means food (hswan). Letters written on the sticks mention names and addresses of the donors of food.

Myanmar literature of later historic periods contained references to the casting lots festival. Different forms of verses such as "loota" "lay cho" "eh-chin" "tay htat" "tha hpyan" etc. on the twelve seasons (months) composed by eminent bards like U Yar, Lu U Min, Hpo Thu Daw U Min, Mei Khwe, U Hpyey, and U Ponnya had mention of the casting lots festival in Wakhaung.

On page 229 of one Myanmar Chronicle named Konbaung Set Maha Yaza Wun Tawgyi Volume II, the holding of the casting lots festival at the palace of King Bagyidaw (A.D. 1819-37) was recorded as follows:

"On the 8th Waning day of the month of Wakhaung, village monks (Gama Wathi) and forest monks (Arinnja Wathi) were invited to the palace. Eight priestly utensils and other offertories were hung up on two hundred and sixty "Padeithabins". His Majesty the King and the Chief Queen donated them to the monks and poured the libation water. Their Majesties then offered Salaka-bhat Sayey Ten hswan (food offered by casting lots) to the monks".

Just like on other Myanmar religious functions, a festive atmosphere is created by the gathering of lay devotees dressed in their finery and dainty damsels carrying offerteries on their heads, followed by parties of merry-making youngmen who joyously dance, sing and play folk music of "do-bat" "o-zi" and "byaw" which befit the occasion.

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Shwe Mann Maung

The thirty caves are man-made. Legend has it that Sangha Raja monk of Padu village was an accomplished alchemist who practised alchemy as his hobby. He tried to make panacea by compounding different medicinal plants, herbs and roots according to the prescriptions of ancient alchemists. He also made experiments to turn base metals into gold by melting various chemicals and metals found on that hill. It is said that eventually he succeeded in concocting the medicine for longevity. He thus repaired to the Himalayan forests where he would live long enough to see and receive the dhamma (teaching) from the up-coming Meteya Buddha.

While residing on the said hill this Sangha Raja monk was the teacher of king Taya phya (A.D. 1322-1336) of Sagaing dynasty when the latter was a schoolboy at his monastery. He was also a guru monk of King Thado Minphya (AD.1364-1367) of Inwa dynasty.

In AD 1367 Sangha Raja monk of Padu village built thirty rock-cut caves which run into 190 feet in total length. Each has its own entrance. The thirty caves symbolize three times of ten perfections (parami) which Gotama Buddha successfully fulfilled as Bodhisatta (Buddha to be) in his ten penultimate lives. The ten perfections were (1) perfection in resolution (2) perfection in effort (3) perfection in truthfulness and loving kindness (4) perfection in renunciation (5) perfection in wisdom (6) perfection in morality and patience (7) perfection in truthulness and resolution (8) perfection in wisdom and truthfulness (9) perfection in wisdom and equanimity and (10) perfection in giving.

Within the caves are 45 Buddha Images lined up from east to west. The 39th in the line is a very unique Buddha Image carved out of the rock wall. On tis backdrop (Tan-ke) are beautiful figures of waikza, zawgyi (alchemists) and wild animals with the scenes of caves and forest. Old people say that this pecliar Buddha Image occupies the site of the original cave in which the Sangha Raja of Padu village experimented his alchemy and sat in deep meditation. The 45 Buddha Images signify the 45 years of Buddha hood of Gotama Buddha.

The Sangha Raja also built 7 monasteries 5 other caves, 4 stupas, and he donated 9 sets of Tipitaka (Buddhist Texts). His first residence was at Sarmayee recluse.

The 30 caves Pagoda was renovated in A.D. 1643 and again in A.D. 1723. In A.D 1838 a severe eathquake took place destroying almost the entire structure. On the 13th waxing moon of Tabaubg (March) in A.D 1846, King Bagan (regnal title was Sri Sudhamma Tilokaparava Maharajadiraja) completed repair and renovation of Unim Thon-ze Pagoda. About a century later, under the leadership of Sayadaw monk U Pandi devotees repaired and renovated the Pagoda and Buddha Images. To-day Umin Thonze Pagoda is not only one of many sites in Sagaing for Buddhists but also an attractive place for tourists.

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