A ceremony to open a paper-reading session in commemoration of the 555th birthday of revered scholar Shin Maha Ratthasara took place at the Myanmar International Convention Centre-I in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, graced by the presence of Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla.
On the occasion, the Senior General and his wife interestingly observed biographical records of the reverent literati monk, documentary photos related to the monk, his treatises and literary works, contemporary literati monks, and articles in honour of the doyen literati monk and responded to necessary discussions to the reports of officials.
Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin reported on the purpose of marking the 555th birthday of the venerable monk.
The Senior General, his wife and attendees enjoyed the musical drama under the title of “Grateful Fine Arts” in honour of the reverent literati monk.
At the paper-reading session, the Director of the Historical Research and National Libraries Department Dr Lei Lei Win, U Am Yu Maung (Maung Lu Hmwe-Myanmar Handicraft), Director of the Historical Research and National Libraries Department Dr Tun Tun Oo, and U Thura Zaw read the papers on literary works, poems and verses created by Shin Maha Ratthasara.
A large number of literati including venerable monks, laypersons and royal servants as well as ordinary people had emerged in the literary history of Myanmar with the creation of valuable literary works including Buddhist treatises. Of them, Shin Maha Ratthasara came out in 830 ME in the Inwa era.
The reverent literati monk composed a large number of masterpiece poems and literary works in various forms portraying religious and secular arenas. Among his masterpieces, the verses on education teaching and learning systems of Myanmar for students in daily routine were milestones of Myanmar academic history. — MNA/TTA
