TIPITAKA TITLES

1. Tipitakadhara=Bearer of the Tipitaka ('recitation or oral'), 2. Tipitakadhara Tipitakakawida =Bearer of the Tipitaka ('oral' and

'written'),
3. Maha Tipitakakawida=Passing the 'oral' and 'written' with

distinction, 4. Dhammabhandagarika=Keeper of the Dhamma Treasure. The above Titles are being awarded to the successful Buddhist monks out of over 400,000 members of the Sangha in the Union of Myanmar (Burma) if the candidates can recite Pali Texts of (8026) pages of Tipitaka canons (more than 2.4 million words in Myanmar Pali) and the written portion of over (200) books of Pali Texts, Athakatha (Commentaries) and Tika (Sub-Commentaries) of Tipitaka Canons respectively Other yearly examinations being held regularly in Myanmar (Burma) with a view to promoting and flourishing the Pariyatti Sasana (Learning the Buddha's teachings) mainly contributing to the purification, perpetuation and propagation of the Buddha Sasana throughout the world are : (2) Dhammacariya Examination (3) Pathamagyi Examination (4) Pathamalat Examination (5) Pathamange Examination (6) Abhidhamma/Visudhimagga Examination (only for Laymen and Nuns) and (7) Five Nikaya Examination. The Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination is the most extensive, most difficult and profound and highest, and so it has been separately held since 1949 (1310 ME). Buddhist monks who wish to sit for this Sacred Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination must have passed at least the Pathamagyi Examination. In fact, the Sacred Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination is quite different from other religious Examinations because the candidates who will sit for this examination must have to take (33) days. They have to meet both oral and written portions as prescribed. Only candidates who have got through both oral and written portions of the Sacred Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination will be presented the Title of Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida and candidates who have got through the oral portion will be presented the Title of Tipitakadhara. It is further learnt that only (11) Sasana

Azanis (Religious Heroes) distinctively emerged during (56) years of the Sacred Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination from 1949 to 2004 (1310 to 1366 ME). In fact, over ten-thousand Buddhist monks appeared for this sacred Examination during the period of (56) years. Out of them, only (11) distinctively got through the oral and the written portion of Pali Canons and other Pali Texts during the period of (56) years. Tipitakadhara Selection Examination is the most extensive, most difficult and profound and highest. No one passed any of the categories in 1948 when it was first held in Rangoon (now Yangon) just after the country gained Independence from British Rule. The aim of the examination was to promote the emergence of the outstanding personalities who can memorize and recite the whole of the Tipitaka. It is the longest examination in the world and the entire examination is spread over five years. In the first and second year, the candidates are examined in Vinaya Pitaka (2260 Pages) lasting a total of 20 days.( 3 days each for 5 volumes plus 5 days for the written part covering the Commentaries and Sub-commentaries. In the third year the candidates are examined in 3 volumes of the Sutta Pitaka (779 pages ). In the fourth and the fifth years, the examination on the first five (1390 pages) and the last two (3597 pages) of seven volumes of the Abhidhamma Pitaka is arranged. The total length of the examination used to be four years before. The first successful candidate was Venerable U Vicittasarabhivamsa, who was later known as the 'Mingun Sayadaw'. He passed the Vinaya part in the 1950 Examination. In 1953 he completed the final part at that time of the Pathika Vagga of the Sutta Pitaka and became the first ever 'Tipitakadhara' in Myanmar (Burma) at the age of 42 and his achievement was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Since then, more and more outstanding monks have been awarded full titles for their fabulous memory. The latest examination was the 56th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination of 2004, held at Vizayadhamma Hall on Kaba Aye Hillock, Yangon from 28 December 2003 to 29 January 2004, and it took 33 days. It is learnt that altogether (184) Buddhist monk candidates

appeared for the 56th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination and out of them, only two candidates distinctively got through both the oral portion of Pali Texts of (8026) pages and written portion of Pali Texts of over (200) books, and one through the oral portion and (79) through respective portions of Pali Texts as prescribed. The amazing list of these great monks is as follows.

Title Holders

Titles* Year Age (First Title)

1,3,4 1,2,4 1,2,4 1,2 1,2 1,2 1 1,2 1,2 1,2 1953 1959 1963 1973 1984 1995 1997 1998, 2000 1998, 2000 1362, 1365 ME 1362, 1365 ME 1365 ME 42 32 36 27 42 39 55 34 32
43

Ven. Vicittasarabhivamsa Ven. Nemainda Ven. Kosala Ven. Sumingalalankara Ven. Sirinandabhivamsa Ven. Vayameindabhivamsa Ven. Kondanna Ven. Silakhandabhivamsa Ven. Vamsapalalankara Ven. Eindapala
Tipitaka Nikaya Monastery, Dagon, Yangon

Ashin Sundhara
Sunlungu Vipassana Monastery, Thingangyun, Yangon.

1,2

48

Ven. Indhacariya
Tipitaka Nikaya Monastery, Dagon, Yangon

(1362 - 1363 ME=Year 2001)

*
1=Tipitakadhara 2=Tipitakakawida 3=Maha Tipitakakawida 4=Dhammabhandagarika

Total Numbers of Successful Candidates (1948-1998)

Whole of Tipitaka (Tipitakadhara) Two and a Half out of 3 disciplines Two out of 3 disciplines One out of 3 disciplines 9 9 21 71

TIPITAKADHARA & TIPITAKAKAWIDA SAYADAWS

Course in Myanmar Language

Abhidhamma I
- by Dr Mehm Tin Mon
Date: 1 - 9 January 2012 (Sunday to Monday)

Time: Monday to Friday: 7.00pm 9.00pm Saturday and Sunday: 5.00pm - 9.00pm Venue: 15 Teo Kim Eng Road Singapore 416385 Registration: Please fill in your particulars and submit the form below, or sms "Abhi" and your name to 85464366. ** If you are not a PAMC's member, please visit our "Membership" page for more information. About the Speaker: DR. MEHM TIN MON B. Sc. Hons. (Ygn.), M. Sc., Ph.D. (U.S.A.) Mahsaddhamma Jotikadhaja Professor and Head of Department of Chemistry, Mawlamyine University (Retired) Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Union of Myanmar (Retired) Professor and Head of Samatha Department (Retired) Professor, International Theravda Buddhist Missionary University, Yangon President, International Pa-Auk Forest Buddha Ssannuggaha Central Committee Biography His Birth and Parents He was born in Kamawet village, Mudon township, Mon State, Union of Myanmar, on January 13, 1934. His parents were U Yaw In and Daw Sein Tan, who were devout Buddhists. They belonged to the Mon race and made their living by farming. Outstanding Achievments in Education Mehm Tin Mon attended Kamawet State Primary School and Mudon State High School where he topped his class every year. He passed the High School Leaving Examination in 1951 with distinctions in Mathematics and General Science. He also passed the Matriculation Examination in the same year from the first division with distinction in Mathematics.

He joined the University of Yangon in 1951. In the Intermediate Examination held in 1953, he scored the highest marks in Mathematics and Chemistry, and he was awarded the University Hoe Wah Kain Gold Medal as well as the University State Scholarship. In the Bachelor of Science Examination held in 1955, he stood first with distinctions in Physics, Chemistry and Pure Mathematics. Again he was awarded a University gold medal called Esoof Bimiah Gold Medal. In 1956 he passed the B.Sc. Honours Examination in Chemistry with flying colours and a third University gold medal called U Shwe Lay Gold Medal was awarded to him. In 1957 he went to the United States of America to study at the University of Illinois on a State Scholarship sponsored by the Government of the Union of Myanmar. In this university also he was awarded the University Fellowship for two consecutive years in 1958 and 1959 for his outstanding scholastic record. He gained the Master of Science Degree in 1958 and the Doctorate Degree in 1960. He also won membership to Phi Lambda Upsilon Society and Sigma Xi Society. Oustanding Service to His Country Dr Mehm Tin Mon served his country for 52 years, working as Lecturer and Head of Department of Chemistry in several Institutes and finally as Professor and Head of Department of Chemistry in Mawlamyine University from 1955 to 1992 and then again serving as Adviser to the Ministry and Religious Affairs from 1993 to 2006 as well as Professor and Head of Samatha Department in the International Theravda Buddhist Missionary University, Yangon, from 1998 to 2008. During his service to the Universities, he headed the Buddhist Association of the Institute of Medicine (I), the Buddhist Association of the Institute of Education (I) and the Buddhist Association of Mawlamyine University. He also served as Secretary and later as President of the Central Buddhist Association of all universities and institutes in Yangon from 1983 to 1986. He succeeded in raising funds and building the beautiful, large twostoreyed Dhamma Hall and the sacred Shrine (Pagoda) in Mawlamyine University. Excellent Record in Religious Examinations Dr. Mehm Tin Mon also excelled in religious examinations. He stood first in the Abhidhamma Examination (Ordinary Level) in 1981 and he was awarded a gold medal. He also stood first in the Abhidhamma Examination (Honours Level) in 1983 and again he was awarded a gold madel. In 1984 again he stood first in the Visuddhi Magga Examination and was awarded a third gold medal. These examinations were held annually in Myanmar by the Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Successful Author Dr. Mehm Tin Mon has written twenty books on education and over fifty books on Buddhism, both in English and in Myanmar language. His books were widely read and appreciated by the public. So many of his books were reprinted again and again. He also has written over 200 articles in journals and magazines. He was awarded the Dhamma Biman Literature Prize for Life in 2005. Popular Dhamma Teacher Dr. Mehm Tin Mon travelled throughout Myanmar as well as to several countries including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, delivering lectures on Buddhism and conducting short intensive classes of Abhidhamma as well as classes of Visuddhi Magga. He could teach very lively, clearly and interestingly offering good comprehension, understanding and enjoyment to his students. He is regarded as one of the best teachers. He also conducted several meditation retreats, teaching Buddhist Meditation as taught by the Buddha and Pa-auk Forest Sayadaw Venerable cia. He was awarded the title of Saddhamma Jotikadhaja in 1994 and Mahsaddhamma Jotikadhaja in 2003 by the Government of the Union of Myanmar for his outstanding contribution to the propagation of Buddhism.