Law Relating to the Sangha Organization

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Law Relating to the Sangha Organization.

State LORC Law No. 20/90 of Oct. 31, 1990

Chapter I – Title and Definition

1. This law shall be called the Law Relating to the Sangha
Organization.

2. The following expression contained in this law shall have the
meanings given hereunder: –

(a) “Sangha” means all monks who have attained the noble monkhood
by the Natticatutthaupasampada Kammavaca and who have the same
religious vows and precepts;

(b) “Basic Regulation” means the Union of Myanmar Sang ha
Organization Basic Regulation approved and prescribed by the
Congregation of the Sangha of All Orders for purification,
perpetuation and propagation of the Sasana;

(c) “Sangha Organization” means the different levels of Sangha
Organization formed in ac cordance with the Basic Regulation.

(d) “Theravada” means the Pitaka such as Pali, Atthakatha and
Tika which have been submitted to and reviewed by the Six
Buddhist Councils commencing from the First Buddhist Council to
the Sixth Buddhist Council.

Chapt er II – Stipulations

3. There shall be only one Sangha Organization in the Union of
Myanmar, comprising all Orders of the Sangha prescribed under the
Basic Regulations.

4. All Sanghas from the respective Theravada Sangha Sects in the
Union of Myanmar are members of the Union of Myanmar Sangha
Organization.

5. The following nine Sects of Sangha approved by the Basic
Regulation within the Sangha Organization have the right to abide
by the code of discipline of their respective Sects: –

(a) Sudhamma Sect;

(b) Shwekyin Sect;

(c) Dhammanudhamma Mahadvara Nikaya Sect;

(d) Dhammavinayanuloma Muladvara Nikaya Sect;

(e) Ah -nauk -Chaung Dvara Sect;

(f) Veluvana Nikaya Sect;

(g) Catubhummika Mahasatipatthana Nget -twin Sect;

(h) Ganavimut Kudo Sect;

(i) Dhamma yutti Nikaya Ma -har -yin Sect.

6. The Sangha Pavarana Sects existing in the respective
localities are included in the Sangha Sects contained in Section 5.

7. The Sangha Sects contained in Section 5 have the right to
amalgamate with agreed Sects.

Chapter III – Prohibitions

8. No new Sects other than the Sangha Sects mentioned in section
5 shall be formed separately.

9. No Sangha Organization which is not subject to the supervision
of the respective Sangha Nayaka Committee, other than such
organization u nder the supervision of the respective Sangha
Nayaka Committee as Ovadacariya Sangha Organizations, Nayaka
Sangha Organizations of Buddhist Association, Sangha
Organizations convening the Theravada Pariyatti Oral or Written
Examinations shall be formed.

10. No one shall organize, agitate, deliver speeches or
distribute writings in order to disintegrate the Sangha
Organizations at different levels.

11. When any monk or novice is admonished by the Sangha
Organization at different levels in accordance with t he Basic
Regulation of Sangha Organization or the Procedures, such monk or
novice shall abide by such admonition.

Chapter IV – Penalties

12. Any monk or novice who violates the provision of section 8 or
section 9 shall, on conviction, be punished with i mprisonment for
a term which may extend from a minimum of 6 months to a maxiumum
of 3 years.

13. Whoever violates the provision of section 10 shall, on
conviction, by punished with imprisonment for a term which may
extend from a minimum of 6 months to a m axiumum of 3 years.

14. Any monk or novice who violates the provision of section 11
shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term of
6 months.

Chapter V – Miscellaneous

15. On being informed by any Sangha Organization or any State
Orga nization that it is necessary to institute legal proceedings
under section 12 or section 13 of this Law, the Ministry of Home
and Religious Affairs shall institute legal proceedings.

16. On being informed by any Sangha Organization or any State
Organizati on that it is necessary to institute legal proceedings
under section 14 of this Law, the Director General of the
Department of Religious Affairs or any person delegated by the
Director General for this purpose shall make a direct complaint
to the relevant court.

17. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie
against any public servant in respect of anything which is in
good faith done under this Law.

18. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Law,
the Ministry of Home and Re ligious Affairs may, in consultation
with the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee issue orders and
directives as may be necessary.

(Sd.) Saw Maung

Senior General, Chairman, The State Law and Order Restoration Council

(Source: Working People’s Daily 1 No v.1990)