Kao Wao News No. 45
While I was doing research for old Mon palm leaf scriptures and old printed
Mon books at Wat Salardaeng, Pathumthani, 45 km. north of Bangkok, I found
some evidence of correspondence between Mon monks in Monland and Thailand
including a personal letter from Ajatala Maha Yin, the founder of Maha Yin
Nikaya (a Buddhist sect in Monland) to the abbot of Wat Salardaeng Phra
Ajarn Boonnaak, dated November 1900, which described the founding of the
first Mon printing press in Monland.
I was very impressed and excited to learn of Ajatala Maha Yin's meaningful
and beautiful handwritten accounts, both in Mon and in Thai, reporting about
Mon monks studying Pariyatti (Buddhism study) and the examination.
In regard to the newly established Mon printing press (AD 1900), he
narrated, "Each nationality has their own printing press for the honor of
their nation. Since there is no Mon press in Monland we will do our best to
establish it in order to preserve and promote our language and religion for
the future generation of the Mon. The British, though they are foreigners,
sent letters (in English) praising our work as a good one for our community.
But among our Mon people, many say, "No hand rows the boat, but keeps leg in
the water". (Please see his original letter). He asked opinions from his
close friends in Thailand on the work of safeguarding Mon language and
Buddhist religion practically both in Thailand and Burma.
Who is Ven. Maha Yin?
The Venerable Buddhavamso or Maha Yin, the founder of the Mahayin Nikaya in
Monland was born at Krung Khru Village, Samut Sakhon, 36 km. west of Bangkok
in AD 1840, (BE 2383). As a young boy he studied the basic monastic
education in his home village and memorized in a short time all the basic
Pali grammar, Suttadhippaya and Abhidhammasangaha, an outline of Buddhist
Philosophy.
At the age of 20, he was ordained at Wat Bovornnives Vihara, Banglamphu,
Bangkok, presided by Sangha Raja, Somded Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phaya
Pawarisvariyalongkorn, grandson of King Rama II. There he graduated as Maha
Prayoga 5 and was responsible for teaching Pariyatti to the monks of the
monastery from 1871 to 1873. Since that time he was known as Maha Yin.
When the Prince Krom Phra Nared Worarid, younger brother of King Rama V the
Great, became a novice, Maha Yin was responsible to take care of the Prince.
In 1873 Maha Yin left monastic life and served as a royal page for a year.
Soon after that he began a journey to Monland.
He headed for Sangapoun Monastery, east of Moulmein, the abbot Ajatala
Sangapoun was also from the Thai-Mon community. Since the abbot knew that
Maha Yin was a
scholar in Buddhism, he encouraged Maha Yin to become monk again and to help
educate the Mon people. Finally his encouragement was successful, the abbot
presided over the ordination ceremony at Nadi-simar on the Salween River in
1874. After that Ven. Maha Yin returned to Thailand for a while to visit his
parents and friends. When he came back into Thailand to stay at the
monasteries of Dhammayutt he had to accept Yatti or be re-ordained in
accordance with the rule of Dhammayutt Nikaya in Thailand.
In 1875, Ven. Maha Yin left for Monland again. This time he stayed and
practiced meditation at the graveyard of Kado Village, 10 kms. north-east of
Moulmein. His strict behavior about the Buddhist discipline and wisdom in
Dhamma greatly impressed the lay people in that area. Later on a small a hut
(Phae Dut) was built for him. The following are the names of those lay
people who supported Ven. Maha Yin.
Nai Sue, Mi Hmyin
Nai Shew Kyi, Mi Gun
Nai Ru, Mi Bwe
Nai Dun, Mi Soi
Nai Shwe Hlay, Mi Kyin Uh
Nai Maung Khin, Mi May
These devotees were very impressed with Ven. Mahayin's wisdom and deep
understanding of the Dhamma. They quickly had a small building erected on a
plot of land near the graveyard.
The supporters were very eager to extend the monastery in order to receive
more monks who were interested in studying the Dhamma. By this time Ven.
Mahayin's scholastic reputation had spread far and wide to many towns and
villages such as Thaton, Kyaikkhami. Bilukyun, Kyaikmaraw, Mudon and parts
of Karen state. Many monks arrived in the monastery to study with Ven. Maha
Yin. On the full moon day of month Paseik (May) 1875, the Pali-institute of
Maha Yin was formally established.
Later on his senior disciple monks held a meeting about setting up of a
Nikaya or sect. The following are those who participated in the meeting.
1. Ven. Mogaliputta, Kwunta Village, Mudon Township.
2. Ven Agghdipa, Kawkhapon village, Mudon Township.
3. Ven Nalagiri, Muyitkalay ,Chaung Son (Bilukyun Island).
4. Ven. Nadalankara, Zartapyin village , Pha-An Township.
5. Ven Hkemakaw, Kada Village , Paung Township.
6. Ven. Kusala, Kalawh Village , Chaung Son (Bilu Kyun Island).
All the above senior monks agreed that it would be of great benefit to the
Mon to have their own Nikaya (Buddhist Fraternity) established legally.
They decided to name the group Dhammayutt because Ven. Buddhavamsa was
ordained within this Nikaya in Thailand. Later the group became known as
Maha Yin Nikaya.
Ven. Maha Yin was concerned with the development of the Sangha. He
encouraged his students to achieve the highest possible academic standards,
for 8 years he held a Dhamma Vinaya examination both written and oral.
In 1898, representatives from all Maha Yin monasteries assembled at
Nigrawdha Rama monastery in Waedut Village, Chonson Township, Bilukyun
Island where the first "Question and Answers on Dhamma Vinaya" was held.
This assembly gave the monks an opportunity to recite sections of the
Vinaya, Abhidhamma and Sutta Pittaka in public and under the scrutiny of
learned Mahathera. Questions and Answers were held on Bilukyun Island for 77
years from 1898 until 1975. Now it alternates to various Maha Yin
monasteries each year. Ven. Maha Yin was reasonable for the introduction of
the first printing press in Mon state. It was called "Buddhavamsa Press" He
translated the
texts from Pali-Thai characters into Mon. The first translation was
Dhammapada. The following are some of his books:
Attributes of the Buddha
Training of lay Devotees
Means by which we can develop Satipatthana
Means to a good life
Training of the monastery schoolboy
Mon Grammar
At one time Ledi Sayadaw, Burmese Sangha Raja, visited Moulmein. From there
he was invited to Kado MahaYin Monastery. On entering the monastery he heard
the lay devotees chanting Dhamma Qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha,
the 10 Parami, 5 Khandha, Ayatana, Dhatu, Four Noble Truths, 37
Bodhipakkhiya Dhamma. Ledi Sayadaw was amazed at these lay people and asked
who had taught them. They replied that Ven. Buddhavamsa was their teacher;
at that time Ven. Mahayin was in Thailand. Ledi Sayadaw said "Your teacher
is a highly evolved being".
In 1905 Ven. Maha Yin was required to handover all responsibilities toward
his senior disciples and return to Thailand. He stayed at several
monasteries including Wat Banglamut for 2 years.
King Rama V the Great heard news about Maha Yin and invited an offering of
the title of Raja Kuru. Sangha Raja Somded Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya
Vachirayanvaroros was also offered the title of Phra Traisaranadhaja in 1907
and was appointed the abbot of Wat Bavorn Monkhon, on the Chao Phraya River
opposite Thevet (National Library) Bangkok. He lived at Wat Bavorn Monkhon
until 1916 when he passed away. Since then there were no Mon abbots living
in the monastery.
Note: In his personal letter to Phra Boonnak in November 1900, he was
already titled as "Tisaranadhaja".
A special thanks to Khun Manop Kaewyok of Baan Salardaeng for providing the
letter, books and other information on this important time in Mon history.
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