သာသနာရေးနှင့်ယဉ်ကျေးမှုဝန်ကြီးဌာန

Overview

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar (Burmese: သာသနာရေးနှင့်ယဉ်ကျေးမှုဝန်ကြီးဌာန) is a government ministry responsible for overseeing religious affairs, cultural heritage, and historical research in Myanmar. Established on April 1, 2016, the Ministry was formed by merging the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Culture as part of a government downsizing initiative. Its headquarters is located in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's administrative capital.

Historical and Legal Framework

The Ministry's origins trace back to the Ministry of Culture, which was established on March 16, 1952, as the Ministry of Union Cultures and later renamed the Ministry of Culture on March 15, 1972. The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA) was founded prior to Myanmar's independence in 1947. Over the years, MORA underwent several reorganizations, including:

• 1962: MORA became a department under the Ministry of Home and Religious Affairs.
• 1988: The State Law and Order Restoration Council formed the Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana under MORA.
• 1992: The ministries of Home Affairs and Religious Affairs were separated.
• 1998: A cabinet meeting confirmed the formation of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University under MORA.

On April 1, 2016, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Culture were merged to form the current Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives

The Ministry's mission is to:

• Ensure that all people living in Myanmar can freely believe in any religion and practice it.
• Purify, perpetuate, and propagate the Theravada Buddhist Sasana, encompassing the three aspects of Pariyatti (doctrine), Patipatti (practice), and Pativedha (realization).
• Preserve and promote Myanmar's traditional and cultural heritage.

These objectives are pursued through various departments and initiatives aimed at fostering religious harmony and cultural preservation.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

The Ministry is headed by the Union Minister, who is appointed by the President of Myanmar. The organizational structure includes:

• Union Minister Office: Oversees the Ministry's overall operations.
• Department of Religious Affairs: Manages religious affairs and ensures the freedom of religious practice.
• Department for the Promotion and Propagation of Sasana: Supports missionary activities within Myanmar and abroad, and undertakes translation of Pitakas and compilation of Buddhist treatises.
• Department of Archaeology and National Museum: Responsible for archaeological research and the management of national museums.
• Fine Arts Department: Oversees the preservation and promotion of Myanmar's fine arts.
• Department of Historical Research and National Library: Publishes the Myanmar Historical Research Journal and manages the national library.
• National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon and Mandalay): Provides education in the arts and culture.
• State Pariyatti Sasana Universities (Yangon and Mandalay): Offer education in Buddhist studies.
• International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University: Provides higher education in Theravada Buddhism.

The Ministry operates independently within the executive branch, adhering to the principles of transparency, accountability, and rule of law.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

The Ministry plays a significant role in the accreditation and quality evaluation of higher education institutions related to religious and cultural studies. This includes:

• Licensing and conducting state supervision of educational institutions.
• Ensuring the quality and standards of training for religious and cultural personnel.
• Collaborating with academic institutions to develop curricula that meet professional requirements.

These efforts contribute to the development of a competent and professional workforce in the fields of religion and culture.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Ministry actively engages in international cooperation to enhance its capabilities and align with global standards. Notable partnerships include:

• Collaborating with international Buddhist organizations to promote Theravada Buddhism.
• Participating in cultural exchange programs to preserve and promote Myanmar's cultural heritage.
• Engaging with international academic institutions for research and development in religious and cultural studies.

These collaborations aim to strengthen the Ministry's operations and contribute to international peace and cultural understanding.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

The Ministry's activities have a significant impact on higher education in Myanmar by:

• Providing training and professional development opportunities for students and graduates in the fields of religion and culture.
• Collaborating with academic institutions to ensure that educational programs align with the needs of the religious and cultural sectors.
• Supporting research initiatives that contribute to the advancement of religious and cultural studies.

These interactions foster a connection between the Ministry and higher education institutions, enhancing the quality of education and training in these fields.

Summary

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar is a pivotal institution in ensuring the freedom of religious practice, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting higher education in religious and cultural studies. Through its comprehensive structure, strategic objectives, and international collaborations, the Ministry plays a crucial role in shaping the religious and cultural landscape of Myanmar. Its involvement in higher education further underscores its commitment to developing a professional and competent workforce dedicated to public service and the preservation of Myanmar's rich heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the primary function of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar?
  The Ministry is responsible for overseeing religious affairs, cultural heritage, and historical research in Myanmar.
• When was the Ministry established?
  The Ministry was established on April 1, 2016, by merging the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Culture.
• Who heads the Ministry?
  The Ministry is led by the Union Minister, who is appointed by the President of Myanmar.
• Does the Ministry oversee higher education?
  Yes, the Ministry oversees higher education institutions related to religious and cultural studies, including the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities and the National University of Arts and Culture.
• What international partnerships does the Ministry have?
  The Ministry collaborates with international Buddhist organizations, participates in cultural exchange programs, and engages with international academic institutions for research and development in religious and cultural studies.

Organization Name

သာသနာရေးနှင့်ယဉ်ကျေးမှုဝန်ကြီးဌာန

Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar

Acronym

MORA

Year of Establishment

1952

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Office No. 35
Naypyidaw
Naypyidaw Union Territory Myanmar

Phone

+95 (67) 408 032

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar's Wikipedia article

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