NAY PYI TAW May 27
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by members of the entourage, the Yangon Region chief minister, the Yangon Command commander, the mayor and officials, inspected major renovation of Maha Pasana Cave, where the Sixth Buddhist Council was held, on Thirimingala Kaba Aye Hillock, Yangon Region, this morning.
First, the Senior General heard a report on different stages of the renovation project and progress of work, renovation of six religious buildings on Kaba Aye Hanthathiri hillock, land preparation, location development, and road repaid works presented by Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Director U Ko Ko Aye, Yangon Region incharge of building department, Ministry of Construction, and director U Htin Kyaw of Yangon Region road department.
In response, the Senior General said renovation must be methodical for the durability of the Maha Pasana Cave, which is a historic religious building.
Systematic water and electricity supply is also required. The situation of the completed parts should be checked throughout the rainy season to fulfill the requirements. Long-term existence of the religious buildings on Hanthathiri hillock, under renovation, must be ensured for the convenience of Sayadaws.
Roads should be upgraded only after the buildings have been renovated. Proper drainage, better road shoulders and constant maintenance are a requisite.
Later, the Senior General inspected the major renovation project and attended to the needs. He paid homage to theBuddha Image on the top floor of the cave.
The Senior General and party observed the religious buildings on the Thirimingala Kaba Aye hillock, temporary accommodations for State Ovdacariya Sayadaws and members of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha on Kaba Aye Hanthathiri hillock and road upgrading programs in a motorcade.
The Maha Pasana Cave is located on Thirimingala Kaba Aye hillock, Mayangon Township, Yangon Region. Cornerstone laying was held in 1953. A total of 1,486 officers and construction workers and over 3.3 million volunteers built the cave for 396 days. It was completed on 10 May 1954. The Sixth Buddhist Council was held in the cave with the participation of 2,500 members of Sangha from five Theravada Buddhist countries for two years and five days from 17 May 1954 to 22 May 1956.
The cave also hosted other significant Buddhist events.
The 68-year old cave is facing deterioration. During his inspection of the cave on 8 October 2021, the Senior General found that it needed major renovation.
Till now, the renovation project has seen 75 percent complete.