Foreign monks presented at the commemorating of the 100th anniversary of Mon monks exam held at Doul Sarsana 2500 Monastery, last Tuesday (March 8).
More than 2,000 people came to the 5-day ceremony that kicked off on March 8. The first day commemorated the 100th anniversary of government Pali exam written in Mon language. Of 5 days, 3 days are scheduled for 34th Pali Exam of all Mon Regions of Ramonnya [Ramanna] Nikaya Association, and about 1,600 Mon monks are taking the 34th exams. Several foreign head monks have also participated in the ceremony, including monks and their followers from Sri Lanka’s Ramanna Nikaya Association, head of Sangha Group from Cambodia and vice rector of Chulalongkorn University.
“I am so glad to see the association of sangha here. We have not been in touch for a long time. But now we meet again, so let us stay connected with each other. Now, we are here to encourage re-connecting with each other,” said Ven. Napana Premasiri Thera, the head monk of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya Association, in his speech.
The head monk added that there are three orthodox Buddhist orders in Sri Lanka: Ramanna Nikaya, Siam Nikaya, and Amarapura Nikaya. The Ramanna Nikkaya Association (Sri Lanka) has about 8,000 monks.
“I am glad to see Mon monks have maintained and studied Pali from generation to generation in accordance with true Mon tradition. After Buddha passed away, sangha monks got together and unified the Buddha’s language. I ask you to continue this exam of Ramanna Nikaya that has taken place across generations,” said the head of the Cambodian Sangha.
The Mon Association of Ramanna Nikkaya and Chulalorngkon University have agreed that the Mon monks who have passed Maha and Dama Sari Ja could study for Bachelor Degree and Masters Degree at the Chulalorngkon University.
“This is because of the strength of our Mon people and the strength of our Mon monks, with united spirits; they [previous Burma government] could not break out but have to allow us preserving this exam. So, that is a success. Achieving this 100th year was not easy. We did not get to take this exam in peaceful way, either,” explained Sayardaw Thilar Sarya, vice-chairman of [Mon] Association of Ramonya Nikaya.
The vice-chairman described that Sarsana spread across Burma from Monland and from Mon monks and this exam ceremony is held to acknowledge “thank you” to Mon monks from Remonya Nikkaya [Association] and Mon leaders, who demanded and gained permission from Burma government from the beginning to be able to have such this exam ceremony.
