Well over 100 individuals from more than 20 countries joined with family members of former United Nations Secretary General U Thant in Yangon in celebration of U Thant’s 103rd Birth Anniversary. UN dignitaries, members of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the UN, international singers, interfaith leaders and local community members participated in programmes at two locations: a local Buddhist monastery and the U Thant Mausoleum.
The morning event was a “Soong Kway” (Merit Making Ceremony) to honour the memory of U Thant, held at the Aein Daw Ya Monastery, Deckhinayone Monastic School, Myoma Kyaung Street. The event was organized by Daw Aye Aye Thant, U Thant’s daughter and President of the U Thant Institute, along with Members of the Pantanaw Association. Mr. Bikashita Bill Hass, the Vice President of the U Thant Institute and former UN official, acted as Master of Ceremonies. After the Buddhist ceremony, the visiting Peace Meditation Choir performed songs by spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy dedicated to U Thant.
Representatives of Christianity, Hinduism and Islam offered traditional blessings and prayers. Daw Aye Aye Thant expressed her gratitude that in this Buddhist Place of worship, individuals from other religions participated, which was very much in keeping with her father’s support for the deepest values in all religions and interfaith cooperation.
The second ceremony, was to pay respects to U Thant’s Mausoleum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road. Floral Arrangements were placed and there was an opportunity for individuals to meditate for a moment and place individual flowers. The International Choir also sang one of Sri Chinmoy’s songs dedicated to U Thant.
After the ceremony, Daw Aye Aye Thant held the Peace Torch, along with members of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run/World Harmony Run teams who were present.
The morning event was a “Soong Kway” (Merit Making Ceremony) to honour the memory of U Thant, held at the Aein Daw Ya Monastery.
The second ceremony was to pay respects to U Thant’s Mausoleum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road.
Honouring the Memory of U Thant at the Aein Daw Ya Monastery
Buddhist monks at the Merit Making Ceremony.
Over 100 individuals from more than 20 countries join with family members of U Thant in Yangon in celebration of U Thant’s 103rd Birth Anniversary.
The Peace Meditation Choir performs songs by spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy dedicated to U Thant.
Performing songs dedicated to U Thant.
Representatives of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam at the Merit Making Ceremony with (from right) Bikashita Bill Hass, Master of Ceremonies, Tyn Myint-U and Daw Aye Aye Thant.
Daw Aye Aye Thant offers her gratitude to participants.
Daw Aye Aye Thant and her husband, Tyn Myint-U, speak with Ashok Nigam, UNDP Representative and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, who attended the morning event.
Paying Respects to U Thant’s Mausoleum
The second ceremony, was to pay respects to U Thant’s Mausoleum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road.
Daw Aye Aye Thant and others meditate at U Thant’s Mausoleum.
Daw Aye Aye Thant and her husband, Tyn Myint-U, place individual flowers at the Mausoleum, and others follow.
Participants place individual flowers at the Mausoleum.
Daw Aye Aye Thant thanks Tanima Bossart, the leader of the Choir, after the performance at the Mausoleum of a song dedicated to U Thant.
Daw Aye Aye Thant receives from Adhiratha Keefe the Peace Torch of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run/Harmony Run.
Daw Aye Aye Thant and her husband, Tyn Myint-U, hold the Peace Torch of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run/Harmony Run.
Daw Aye Aye Thant and her husband, Tyn Myint-U, pose for a group photo after the ceremony at U Thant’s Mausoleum.