70th Anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council — Commemorative Stamp Issue (2026)

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Sixth Buddhist Council, originally convened during the 2,500th year of the Buddhist Era and successfully held in Myanmar, Myanmar Post issued a set of seven commemorative postage stamps, each with a denomination of 200 kyats, on 30 April 2026, corresponding to the full moon day of Kason (Vesak) in the Myanmar calendar.

The historic Sixth Buddhist Council, attended by representatives from five Theravāda Buddhist countries, was formally concluded on the full moon day of Kason, 1318 Myanmar Era (traditionally commemorated as 24 May 1956). The year 2026 therefore marks the 70th anniversary of this significant religious and cultural milestone.

As a event symbolising the religious heritage and prestige of Myanmar, a grand three-day celebration of the anniversary was held from 30 April to 2 May 2026 at the Mahā Pāsāṇa Guhā (Great Cave) complex on the Kaba Aye Hill, including the surrounding precincts of the Theindawgyi and Thirimingalar Kaba Aye religious sites.

In honour of this occasion, seven commemorative stamps were issued. The photographs used for the stamp designs were provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, and the stamps were designed by Aung Zaw Myat (Kyawt Thi Tha). The stamps were made available for sale at post offices nationwide and at the celebration grounds at the Kaba Aye Pagoda.

Design Subjects

The stamp designs depict important themes associated with the Sixth Buddhist Council and its legacy, including:

• The Mahā Pāsāṇa Guhā (Great Cave), the principal venue of the Council
• The Buddhist Library at Kaba Aye
• U Nu, who played a leading role in organising the Council in 1954

Technical Details of the Stamp Issue

• Number of designs: 7
• Denomination: 200 kyats each
• Date of issue: 30 April 2026
• Printer: Wazi Security Printing Works
• Printing method: Offset lithography
• Quantity issued: 100,000 stamps for each design

Stamp formats:

• Six stamps in horizontal long format measuring 84 × 30 mm
• One stamp in vertical format measuring 30 × 42 mm

The 2026 commemorative issue continues a long philatelic tradition associated with the Sixth Buddhist Council. At the time of the Council itself, in 1954, the Government of Burma issued a set of six commemorative postage stamps to mark the Sixth Buddhist Council.

First Day Covers

Official FDC (scan by U Sein Min)

Private FDC prepared by U Paing Thu Chi

The Sixth Buddhist Council

The Sixth Buddhist Council was a general council of Theravāda Buddhism, convened in a specially constructed Mahā Pāsāṇa Guhā (Great Cave) and pagoda complex at the Kaba Aye Pagoda in Yangon, Burma. The Council was attended by approximately 2,500 monastics from eight Theravāda Buddhist countries.

The Council was held from Vesak (Visākha) 1954 to Vesak 1956, with its completion coinciding with the traditional 2,500th anniversary of the Parinibbāna of the Gautama Buddha. In keeping with the tradition of earlier Buddhist councils, a principal objective of the Sixth Council was to preserve and reaffirm the Buddha’s teachings and practices as understood within the Theravāda tradition.

To commemorate this historic religious event, a set of six postage stamps was issued. The 35 pyas stamp was first released on 7 May 1954, marking the opening of the Council, while the remaining five denominations were issued later on 15 November 1954.

The stamp designs were prepared by prominent Burmese artists:

• U Ngwe Gaing — 35 pyas and 50 pyas
• U Ba Kyi — 10 pyas and 2 kyats
• U Ba Moe — 15 pyas and 1 kyat

All stamps in the set were printed by the India Security Press.

Design Features of the Stamps

• 10 pyas — Depicts the Mahā Pāsāṇa Guhā together with members of the Sangha from Cambodia.
• 15 pyas — Shows the Kuthodaw Pagoda and Buddhist monks (Sangha).
• 35 pyas — Features the Mahā Pāsāṇa Guhā and the Kaba Aye Pagoda.
• 50 pyas — Illustrates the Mahā Pāsāṇa Guhā, the Sangha of Thailand, and the Wat Arun.
• 1 kyat — Depicts the Mahā Pāsāṇa Guhā and the Sangha of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
• 2 kyats — Shows the Mahā Pāsāṇa Guhā and the Sangha of Laos.

Quantities Issued

The number of sheets printed for each denomination was as follows:

• 10 pyas: 2,500 sheets
• 15 pyas: 12,000 sheets
• 35 pyas: 2,500 sheets
• 50 pyas: 1,500 sheets
• 1 kyat: 1,000 sheets
• 2 kyats: 500 sheets

These comparatively small print quantities, particularly for the higher denominations, contribute to the philatelic interest and relative scarcity of certain values within the set.