Mingun Sayadaw

The Venerable Mingun Sayadaw U Vicittasārābhivaṃsa (, ; 1 November 1911 – 9 February 1993) was a Burmese Theravāda Buddhist monk, best known for his memory skills and his role in the Sixth Buddhist Council. He was nicknamed The Book Man.

After the Council, from 1956 to 1969, he wrote The Great chronicles of Buddhas, a collection in 6 volumes.

He left a dual legacy: spiritual, his numerous writings and audio recordings, in which he recites the sacred texts of Theravada Buddhism; and material: thanks to his action, a hospital for religious has been built in Mandalay, as well as the State Pariyatti Sasana University.

Biography Early life and education Ven. Mingun Sayadaw was born Maung Khin to U Sone and Daw Sin in 1911 in Kyipin Village in Myingyan Township, Mandalay Province, British Burma. From the age of 4, following the death of his father, little Maung Khin was raised by his grandfather. During his youth, he was noted for being reserved and his cleanliness.

At the age of 5, he was sent to the village monastery according to Burmese Buddhist tradition, to get a basic monastic education. The presiding sayadaw was U Sasana who had been educated at the Nan Oo Monastery, a prominent monastery in Mandalay.

The Maha Sanghasamaggi Association, which conducted the religious exams conferred the suffix Abhivamsa to his name in 1934. Thus, the sayadaw had gained his dhamma name with which he would be renowned throughout Myanmar.

From 1950 to 1953, the sayadaw sat and passed the state conducted Tipitakadhara Selection Examination, for which the government of the newly independent Union of Burma conferred various titles and honours. In 1953, he became the first monk ever to be awarded the title of Tipitakadhara, meaning Keeper and Guardian of the Tipitaka.

As far as his strength allowed, he preached wherever he was invited until the end of his life. To those who advised him to take a rest, he replied:

Sixth Buddhist Council Under the auspices and patronage of the U Nu government, the Sixth Buddhist Council was held in the purpose-built Mahapasana Cave at the Kaba Aye Pagoda in Yangon from 1954 to 1956. Alongside the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw, the Mingun Sayadaw played a key role in the Sangha Executive Committee. As the "Chief Respondent", he participated in answering all questions concerning the Vinaya, the portion of the Tripitaka dealing with disciplinary rules of the Sangha. It was said that the sayadaw recalled the exact book, page and line of every term in the Tripitaka

Main work After the Council, he devoted himself to literary pursuits. At the Request of Prime Minister U Nu and the Buddha Sasana Council, he began work on a treatise on the Life Story of the Buddhas, titled the Maha Buddhavamsa from 1956 to 1969.

Last years and death Mingun Sayadaw was in his 80s when the current military government of Myanmar took power. He distanced himself from the democracy demonstrations and the 8888 movement. As the government solidified its position, the sayadaw was approached by the government to attend its religious events, which he agreed to do so. The sayadaw did not engage in any politics but a few radical elements of the pro democracy movement considered him as a government lackey. However, his reputation was never tarnished as he continued his religious work until the very end

After the council, Mingun Sayadaw fell seriously ill. His health remained very fragile thereafter.

He died on 9 February 1993, following a viral infection that broke out in 1992. He was given a state funeral, attended by the country's leaders, clerics, civil servants and crowds of devotees. His ashes were scattered in various places around the country

Legacy Mingun Sayadaw's legacy is twofold : Spiritual In addition to his writings, he has come to embody the Burmese dedication to Buddhism and also of the Burmese Buddhist sangha. His recitations of the Patthana and the suttas are one of the most popular Buddhist audio materials sold in Myanmar. Material - He initiated the construction of the Jīvitadāna Sāsana Specialized Health Center in Mandalay, reserved for religious people. It is a 100-bed hospital with modern equipment and materials. It was inaugurated on August 18, 1990, in the presence of Mingun Sayadaw.

- On 17 October 1980, Mingun Sayadaw, then aged 70, was appointed by the government to head the Committee for the Construction and Donation of the State Pariyatti Sasana University of Mandalay. After choosing the site where it would be built, he travelled the country to find donors, preaching tirelessly. Six years later, the university was inaugurated on 21 August 1986.