My Visit to the Shan State Buddhist University, Myanmar

Dear friends,

Yesterday, I went to the Buddhist University near my home to do donation for my friend working in China. So, I had a chance to visit there again and found there have been new improvements - the library building and Sanga hostel had finished building. The library is already operating but yesterday was Sunday, so it didn't open. The Sanga hostel is going to be open with a ceremony on 22nd this month. Both of them are beautiful and magnificent.

(above photos) The recently opened university library; yesterday was Sunday, so it closed and I didn't have a chance to visit inside

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(above photos) The newly built Sangha Hostel: the opening and merit sharing ceremony is tomorrow on the 21st Nov.

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(above photos) Sangha Hostel as can be seen from the library hill

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I also visited the cafe next to the donation center. I found there was a book shop attached to the cafe; one can enjoy reading and bought some books. I bought a book which was a translation work from English to Shan. I was glad to see such translation books because they promoted our Shan language in some way where Burmese is the office language in my country.

(above photo) The information and donation centre, where I donated for my friend.

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(above photo) The cafe next to the information centre

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(above photos) inside the cafe: there is a book shelf, where one can get books for leisurely read or buy one if he wishes. The books are in English and Shan; some are in both languages.

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Then, I found that there was an ongoing a conference taken place in the Dhamma hall. It was an international conference and I found that they were communicating through the internet with online conferencing software.

(above photos) The ongoing conference in Dhamma hall : it was international conference and was conducted in English.

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And there are more upcoming ceremonies or events - today, there is Kathina robe offering ceremony, tomorrow, there will be umbrella hoisting ceremony for the Sima Hall, and merit sharing ceremony for the Sanga Hostel and on the day after tomorrow, there will be blessing ceremony for the 59th birthday of Oxford Sayardaw, the founder of the university.

(above photo) Upcoming ceremonies and events for this month

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(above photo) I found proper waste separation in the compound as well

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(above photo) Solar panel installation: there can be occasional power black-outs so it is better to get solar power system installed.

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(above photo) Pleasant scene from the library hill

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Shan State Buddhist University (SSBU) was founded in 2014 by Ven. Prof. Dr. K. Dhammasami (DPhil. Oxford). It is the first Buddhist university established in Shan State, Myanmar and was opened on the 7th Feb 2016. At present ,SSBU is offering MA degree programmes and PhD degree programmes. it is located near Taunggyi, Shan State, Myanmar, which is about fifteen minutes drive from the downtown. Please visit there when you have a chance when visiting Southern Shan State, Myanmar.

(above photo) The Shan State Buddhist University compound as can be seen from the entrance

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(above photos) The stone inscription about the university

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Thank you for reading.

Ref: https://www.ssbu.edu.mm/

@princekham
Myanmar
20th Nov, 2023