(17-6-2025, Vientiane)
A ceremony to confer the honorary titles to a senior Laotian Buddhist monk and a lay devotee from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic who received honorary religious titles for the year 2025 conferred by the State Administration Council was held at 14:00 hrs on 17 June 2025 (Tuesday) at the Dhammasabha Hall in the precinct of Wat Phrathad Luang in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The ceremony was attended by Senior members of the Lao Buddhist Sangha and the Lao Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization, including the Most Venerable monks. Distinguished guests included Mrs. Inlavanh Keobounphanh, Vice President of the Lao Front of the National Development and member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; Mr. Chanthavong SENAMATMONTRY, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly and President of the Myanmar-Lao Friendship Association; Mr. Bovonethat DUANGCHAK, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Party’s External Relations Department, the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the Buddhist College, and the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism. Also in attendance were H.E. U. Aung Ko, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Lao PDR and spouse, Defence Attaché (Army, Navy, Air), Brig. General Khin Maung Soe and spouse, and officials from the Myanmar Embassy and Defence Attaché Office (Military, Navy, Air) in Vientiane. The ceremony commenced with the recitation of “Namo Tassa” three times, followed by opening remarks from Most Venerable Athipatay Maytryjit of the Lao Buddhist Sangha and Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization, who explained the purpose of the event and welcomed the attendees. Ambassador H.E. U Aung Ko then delivered an address outlining the significance of the 2025 honorary title of Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja, and congratulated and extended appreciations to recipients for their meritorious efforts in promoting and propagating the Buddha’s teachings. He also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in religious and cultural exchanges between Myanmar and Lao PDR. Following this, Ambassador H.E. U Aung Ko formally presented the honorary religious titles and insignia to Most Venerable Maha Khamma Panyavichit and Fist Lady Madam Naly Sisoulith. Later, both recipients expressed their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the recognition accorded to them by the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The ceremony concluded with words of Anumodana (rejoicing in merits) by a senior representative of the Lao Sangha, followed by the collective chanting of “Buddha Sāsanam Ciram Titthatu” (May the Buddha’s teachings endure for a long time). Most Venerable Maha Khamma Panyavichit, currently, serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Lao Buddhist Sangha, has over 59 years of monastic life. He holds a Tripitaka degree from the Buddhist College and has been actively involved in construction of monasteries, Dhamma halls, and establishment of monastic education. He has also organized various Dhamma talks and charity programs and worked to promote Buddhism—¬especially in remote border areas. In recognition of his lifelong devotion to the Sasana, the State Administration Council of Myanmar has conferred to him the Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja honorary title on 4 January 2025. Likewise, Madam Naly Sisoulith has also made remarkable contributions to the preservation and propagation of Buddhism in Laos through the construction, renovation, and donation of pagodas, monasteries, and religious buildings. She has also supported the excavation of ancient Buddha statues, established Buddhist literature schools and hospitals, and played a leading role in philanthropic and religious matters—especially in underserved regions. In honor of her service, the State Administration Council of Myanmar has also conferred upon her an honorary religious title on 4 January 2025.