This is a remarkably auspicious day that once again the students of Samdech Luas Lay, one of our chief Buddhist monks, have celebrated for him his 100th birthday anniversary on this day of 14 on the full moon of Pisakha of the year of horse in the Buddhist year of 2558 or May 12, 2014. I could recall that on his 94th birthday anniversary in 2007, I did mention that we should choose the best time for this anniversary for Samdech Preah Dhama Likhet Luas Lay in the full moon time of this month and year. Dr. Pen Siman sent me an SMS inquiring what to do with the 100th anniversary of Samdech Luas Lay.
In my reply, I made it clear that we must make sure the anniversary take place at the best date and time. Although it was hard, we still did a good job choosing the best one. Yesterday I was in Myanmar attending the ASEAN Summit but now I am here for the celebration. Taking this opportune moment I would like to thank the organizing commission headed by Samdech Preah Pothivang Am Lim Heng for making sure everything is going according to schedule and protocol. It has been 7 years now since when we last celebrated the event and many had passed away.
In his 99 years, Samdech Luas Lay is still in good health. When my father passed away, Samdech Preah Dhama Likhet, accompanied by the Chief Monk Nun Nget, came to my house to provide sermon to my father’s soul. That is unforgettable. Just now, HE Min Khin read the biography of Samdech Luas Lay already. I do not have much to say. Today it is important that we are gathering here to celebrate the birthday anniversary for Samdech Preah Dhama Likhet Luas Lay. I hope that all of his students and I would offer more merit by becoming his grateful students through the celebration of the 100th birthday anniversary of Samdech.
In fact, on the way here, my wife and I were discussing about our children’s request to organize for us the Buddhist ritual of four requisites (clothing, consumption stuff, shelter and medicine). In fact, we agreed for them, requested on their behalf by one of my daughters in law, to organize the ritual in 2012 but it turned out my father’s heath worsened. We decided to postpone. Already celebrated my father’s parting anniversary, my wife and I are now of the opinion that we should allow our children to do for us whatever ritual they wish to. I also recall that my wife and I celebrated the Buddhist ritual of four requisites for my parents when my father was 60 years of age. Now that I am over 60, I should allow them to. If it were not for the dye, my hair would be seen whitish all over.
I do not have more to say. We cannot keep Samdech Luas Lay in his 100 years of age waiting for us. I had a muscle cramp when I gave my respect to Samdech and the fact that my schedule has been busy – Myanmar yesterday, this morning to welcome HM the King back from France, now I am here. I cannot bestow you with medals in this moment. I wish in this auspicious occasion the best wishes of longevity and good health to Samdech Preah Dhama Likhet Luas Lay. Though, his two eyes can’t see, but his memory is far brighter than those with eyes to see. I wish the four Buddhist blessings to all head and chief monks who have taken parts in this auspicious occasion./.