Mon Myanmar
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
I never thought of Mon as a separate race
They are part and parcel of Burma’s place
We built together Pagan’s pagodas and palaces
The First Burma State was established by both races.
(Ananda Temple in Pagan)
I’m grateful to Shin Arahan for preaching us
Theravada Buddhism from Ari’s cagey caste
That had sexual orgies, defloration and faulty fast
Pagan would not have come out great with such fuss.
(Shin Arahan Statue in Ananda Temple)
Anawrahat saw Arahan’s importance in a moment
He could use the new faith as a powerful potent
People would flock to it as iron filings to a magnet
A new nation would be forged employing their prowess.
He could use the new faith as a powerful potent
People would flock to it as iron filings to a magnet
A new nation would be forged employing their prowess.
(Modern Burma Map)
Anawrahtar was bright in his vision
He was right in his military missions
He had might in all his action and expedition
He succeeded in establishing a new nation.
(Kyanzittha Statue)
Kyanzittha carried out what was left of Anawrahtar
He used Mon artists and artisans in all his endeavors
He finished Shwezigon and built new Ananda
He married a Mon princess and patronized Mon Culture.
(Mon Cultural Dance)
Since then Ramanya Desa has become part of Burma
Mon and Bamar cultures were amalgamated for ever
Mon and Bamar people migrated to each other’s area
“Mon-Bamar” word was coined to reflect the new mixture.
Mon and Bamar cultures were amalgamated for ever
Mon and Bamar people migrated to each other’s area
“Mon-Bamar” word was coined to reflect the new mixture.
(Mon Boys and Girls in Mon Dress)
There were instances of fighting between the two
Starting with Nga Yahman Kan (Blind Rahman?) of Pegu
Wareru established a new Mon Dynasty after Pagan
Razadarit, Shindagar Ruppi and Shin Saw Pu accrued.
Mon succeeded in ending the NyaungYan-Inwa rule
They came to Ava and tried to subjugate Bamar people
Alaungpaya of Mosobo rose and repelled it for good
He established the third united Burma statehood.
They came to Ava and tried to subjugate Bamar people
Alaungpaya of Mosobo rose and repelled it for good
He established the third united Burma statehood.
(Shwedagon Pagoda, Symbol of United Burma)
Since then Mon and Bamar can no longer be separated
They live together through thick and thin undifferentiated
Most Mon prefer to be called Bamar as being assimilated
Pe Maung Tin led others to take pride in this asset!
He was first Burmese to be awarded Oxford B Litt
He translated Visuddi Magga from Pali to English
He established in RU a Department of Burmese
He supervised activities and research to make it fit.
(Kyaikkhami Pagoda, Moulmein)
Many Mon took part in anti-Britih activities
U Chit Hlaing led Burma for its political entity
Dr Shaw Lu graduated MD from an American university
U Nar Auk fought against Irrawaddy Flottilla Company.
(Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Pegu)
I remember seeing U Lu Pe Win in Mandalay
He came to see our Saya, a pupil of him, one day
He was such a Burmese gentleman I must say
He said he was writing an answer book for Burmese
To assist his daughter appearing in 1955 Matriculation Exam
We also benefited from his book in our final assessment then.
(Shwethalyaung or Reclining Buddha, Pegu)
Mon joined Aung San for Burma’s independence fight
Thura Mon Htaw as doctor outshone by giving up his life
In the fight against insurgents at Pho-Tha-Aung Height
Union Government was saved from the fall it might.
Many writers and poets in Burmese are of Mon origin
Lexicographer U Tun Nyein and nephew U Pe Maung Tin
Writer Theikpan Maung Wa and poet Min Thu Win
U Sun Tun, Paragu and Dagon Taryar follow in succession.
(Hintha or Drake Weights, Emblem of Mon, Hanthawaddy)
A few Mon still try to maintain their race and identity
They dress and speak their language in daily activity
Some of them even demanded a Mon State as an entity
But, Mon are so assimilated into Bamar that it’s a difficulty
First Burmese Premier U Nu said he was half Mon ethnically
But, he opposed a separate state as it hampers national unity.
(First PM of Burma U Nu)
Of course, Mon has a long history occupying a great area
It covered part of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma
Mon were descendents of the Mon-Khmer Tribe in Southeast Asia
Mon kingdoms flourished in Lower Burma, Thailand and Cambodia.
(Mon-Khmer Kingdoms, Pre-Ankgor)
Some Mon came to Burma from Talingara or Kalingara and Orissa
Hence there is a Burmese term, ‘Talaing” derived from Talingara
Old Mon kingdoms have names like Thuwunnabumi, Hanthawaddy etc
Legend says Taphussa and Balika built Shwedagon during the Buddha’s era.
(Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda)
Similarly an arahant brought Buddh’s hair enshrind in Kyaikhtiyo Cedi
Legend says that Emperor Asoka sent two Arahats to Suwunnabumi
Mon scholars take it Suwunnabumi as Old Thaton City or possibly
It may be situated in Mon State, Malaysia or Thailand’s Dvarawati.
(Mon State Flag)
In Burma, a Mon State was created around Mawlamyaing (Moulmein)
It’s inhabited by Mon, Bamar, Karen, Pa-O and other kind
Pure Mon constitute about 2 to 3 million combined
It’s a dwindling population clinging to have its own style.
It’s their right to maintain their culture, literature and design
Mon is a part of greater Union of Burma since ancient time
Diversity in dress and culture makes a country sublime
Let Mon and Bamar live together in peace and harmony to enjoy.
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
5.11.2008 (original)
5.11.2008 (original)
15 comments:
Hello Sayar,
I am really appreciate and pleasure to read your poems for our ethnic people and we all burmese people need to help them to get an equal opportunity and equal life as others. I believe we all are the family.
Dear Sabai,
Thank you.I shared your Union Spirit.
Yours sincerely,
MMN
Dear Saya Nyo,
Your poems are exquisite.
Are you Dr. Maung Maung Nyo who co-wrote medical articles with Dr Nan Ohmar in "Mingalar Maung Mal"?
I suppose you have been living abroad now. That is why, I have not seen your name and your writing in Burmese media these days.
Regards,
Myo Thwin
Dear Maung Myo Thwin,
Thank you very much for your interest. Yes, we wrote in the Mingal mang me long ago.We have been living in Malaysia since 1998/99.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
It is great poems about Mon. You are right there many good things that Mon have done to Burman such as teaching them how to write and how to become a civilized nation. As Mon have done good things to Burman, Burman have not yet done the same. Instead, they try to eliminate Mon race on the earth. For example, Mon taught them how to write, but successive Burman rulers attempted to eliminate Mon race by banning teaching Mon language in Burma. That could also explain that we have learnt what we need to learn. Now it is time to kill the teacher.
You are right if you look at Burman version of Burma’s history, Mon and Burman are not separately. There are also some true stories of the two races (you may not find them in Burman version history books) that could also be never able to live together again. Here are some reasons. The first reason was Anoratha invaded Mon kingdom Thatom or Suwomnabhumi in 11 Century A.D. and took thousands of Mon as slave to build Pagan. Due to his invasion, Mon lost their kingdom and sovereignty. There is no doubt that Pagan was built by Mon. But it was built by Mon slaves. Event Mon were taken as slaves, they did their best to teach Burman to become a civilized nation and built Pagan with their best architects or artists they had at that time. Now Pagan becomes one of world wel-known historical sites.
The second reason was when U Aung Zeya occupied Pegu in 1757 by massacre thousands of innocent Mons including 3000 Buddhist monks. To escape from U Aung Zeya’s genocide, thousands of Mon fled to Thailand. Those who were not able to escape they were killed or they hand to change heir Mon ethnic identity to Burman in order to survive. You are right there many Mon are assimilated to Burman. Most of them are victims of U Aung Ze Ya’s genocide whose their ancestors were not able to escape U Aung Zeya’s genocide and changed their identity from Mon the Burman. Now those Burman speaking Mon are so happy to be called Burman but they did not realize that they are the victim of U Aung Zeya.
You mentioned that Mon have been known as the Talaing because some of them came from Talingara or Kalingara . As far as I know Mon have only one race and one language. They all came from Mongolia or some part of China. Do Mon came from Talingara have different language and culture than from Mon came from Mongolia? When did they come to the present Burma? In fact, the Talaing name was given by U Aung Zeya when he occupied Pegu in order to downgrade Mon race before he killed them. The Talaing mean “Taloin” in Mon which means “bastard”.
The third reason was denying Mon ethnic rights by successive Burman leaders. You are right Mon joined hand with Burman to fight the British to gain independence in Burma. After Burma gained independence, Burman leaders denied their ethnic rights. They don’t even have rights to their language and practice their culture freely. It is easy to say that we are brother and sister. Unless Burman change their Mahar Bamar attitude, union spirit you are promoting is a long way to go.
Dear Chanlawn,
Thank you very much for your appreciation and comments. Both Mon and Bamar have grievances against each other but I'm writing to promote amity and understanding among the major ethnic races of Burma and I don't have any bias against any one of them. As regards the word "Talaing" I know Mon take it as derogatoory but it was mentioned in the Pagan (Bagan) inscriptions and Professor G.H. Luce who had married a Mon (TiTi Luce) stated that there was an inscription in Kyaukse of Talaing Ywama (Mon main village). And there are historical manuscripts stating to the effect that Talaings came from Talingra or Kalinga of India. I quote them for historical reason and not for anti-Mon statement.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
Dear U Mg Mg Nyo
R u willing to change your name to Nai Mon Nyan or some other Mon name and start speaking Mon Languang rather than Bamar because you said that Mon and Burmar are the same.
it sounds to me that you are quite happy to see Mon assimilate into bamar so there will be no Mon in the current socalled union of Burma in the future and it could claim that they are the oldest people to the country and culturaly the richest one. i noted that no matter who they are allmost Bamar has the same view as successive ruling juntas on other ethnic groups.
No1 is Bamar not other nationalities on top of them in any matter.
If Mon succedded all upper bamah including Aung Zey Ya's Motezoebo, what other Bamar would do for the sake of their freedom?
Bamah lived under the brithis colony almost 100 years, why dont Bamah people considered to live together in peace with British? Why U Uttama and Bo Aung Gyaw are so popular til today? Why is the existanse of Bamar National Day?
In Conclution it is realy hurt for us to see your comment that "Mon succeeded in ending the NyaungYan-Inwa rule They came to Ava and tried to subjugate Bamar people. Alaungpaya of Mosobo rose and repelled it for good"
For goodness sake, he killed thounsands of Monks like your leader did last two years ago and you said for good, then Than shwe's killed monks and students for good too, dont you think so
Dear U Rocey,
Thank you very much for your comments. I did not have any other name and I did not even change my name in England and USA. What is in a name? A rose will still be fragrant even called in another name!
We have a saying in Burmese," Keep sticks when discussing about the Bagan (Pagan) History (Bagan Razawun doke Htan Pyaw)." So also there are many controversial points when discussing about the Mon-Myanmar relations or history.
I'm writing my opinion based on what I have read and all the facts are there. I aimed for amity of the national races of Burma and not otherwise.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
Dear U Mg Mg Nyo
Thank you very much for prompt response. Of course all your opinions have been written based on what you have read, but I have no doubt that all those books are written in Burmese language under the censorship of repressive Burma regime and in English.
My response was also based on some books written in Mon on Palm leaves in Monland and Thailand.
If you could find a book called "Mudon Kangyi Zedi History" written in Burmese, you will be surprised to see lists of Mon people killed by your great king Alongphaya and how they fled their mother land toward Thailand. Did you know the authority burnt all palm scripts written in Mon language at the Bargara Monastery of Sangyaun, Myayneegone in Rangoon once belong to Wow Sayardaw who his right hand was cut off by Ayng Zay Ya's soldiers to prevent him from writing atrocity event committed by great Bamar King. He later wrote that accident with his left hand secretly in cave of Taung Pouk, in Karen state.
This is not "Razawun doke Htan Pyaw" at all. All are scripted on palm leaves. Our Mon history has never been published freely and never been recognized although there are lots of factors can be proved. Therefore I believe that it is our duty to protest non sense and one sided opinions especially from famous scholar like you. Yes rose can change the name however the nature cannot be changed at all. Mon is not bamar and it is not the same as bamar, Burma or Myanmar.
My conclusion is Mon is Mon not Bamar and Bamar owe apology to your teacher, Mon although it happened in long time ago as it is not a generational issue, the shame belongs to the whole Bamar race for taking Monland by force and killing thousands of innocent Mon and millions displaced.
Yours sincerely
Dear U Rocey,
Thank you very much for your comments. What you said about the Mon Parabaiks written by the Bargara Sayadaw may be true, but it's not available to the general public including me and you have to first make it published. Then we can discuss.
Secondly,the cultural height of Pagan was reached not just by the infusin of Mon culture but also by the infusion of Pyu and Indian cultures. Pyus were earlier than the Mons in establishing the city states in Burma and Sri Ksetra has a lot of their cultural relics like Bawbawgyi Pagoda. The recent findings in Maingma and Thintwe or Tagaung in Kyaukse District attest to their high culture. Please read the Mon Paradigm by Professor Michael Aung Thwin about Mon contribution to Pagan culture. He stated there was not much!
It's the law of history that conquering nation absorb the good things from the vanquished one like the Romans and Greeks, Arabs and Egyptians and Aryans and Dravidians. So, don't cry too much for the decline of Mon supremacy or power in Burma. The Burmese had declined too with the advent of the British and now of the Chinese. It's the duty of a conquered nation to maintain itself and be self reliant.
You should be grateful to the Burman that they mentioned their gratitude to the Mons both in writing and words of mouth.
And if Alaungphaya had not conquered Mon the Mon King at the time was also a Burman by the name of U Aung Hla(?). Is it right? We may read Dr Htin Aung's "A History of Burma". I just read an article by U Pe Maung Tin the other day and he said he was a Talaing but Burmese now. He encouraged the Burmese students to fight for freedom and he was a supporter of the Doh Bamar Asiayone. I would support a Mon if he fights for Burma's freedom. That's why I like U Nu, Minthuwun, Paragu and Dagon Taryar- all of them are pure Mon or half-Mon. Take care.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
16.04.2009
Dear Dr U Mg Mg Nyo thanks again for your response,
To be honest, it is not easy like you said to publish the Mon history from palm inscriptions and I am nowat the location far away from them. Moreover those scripts might be destroyed or damaged by nature by now. Anyway I will try to get a copy of it.
Well, I did read Michael Aung Thwin's Mon Paradigm. In my personal point of view, as a professor, he shamelessly and blindly wrote it. I amazed the way he denied lots of historical facts which many are still exist in present day both in Pagan and Thathon. Yes no wonder as a junta supporter who tried to please his master, he dared to publish it. You just asked me to read his Paradigm, have you follow comments and responses on it by lots of historians from all over the world. He wants to be a pure bamar as he confuses himself which race is he belong to, (50%karen, 25%Mon, I don’t know the rest).
Yes, there are always cultural transition and infusion, if not, you still have to send your daughter to the temple before she gets marriage for Pan-oo-sut to Ayeegyi, Mon may be in other way probably. You may also remember, or do you know the first Bamar literature found on a stone inscription called Mayzedee. It was written in four languages but two of them in Mon literature and almost half on Burmese used Mon language, only one in Pyu If you think Pyus are earlier and more influence to Bamar, why your Bamar did not use Pyu script rather than Mon. is it a heavy questions isn’t it? We saw lots of Mon obelisks in Bagan including famous Shweseekhon where your Bamar began but not many Pyus. Can you explain that?
Well I am not crying, I am just responding unfair comment and seeking opportunity to correct the facts some people intentionally making mistaken as much as I can.
By the way, have you worked with ESCAP building in Bangkok around 1990?
Kind regards
Dear U Rocey,
Thank you very much.
(1) Buddhism was present in Pagan before King Anawrahta conquered Thaton.Professor Michael Aung Thwin denied that event. He denied the existence of a cultured Mon kingdom before Anawrahta that some Western historians agreed. Pagan culture or civilization was acquired from Pyu, Indian, Mon and Chinese as Taw Sein Kho and later historians agreed. Durosoille and Luce gave too much emphasis to the Mon's contribution. They were "British Colonial historians".
(2) Michael Aung Thwin is 50 % Mon, 25 % Karen and 25 % Burman.He is a Christian.I met him once.
(3) Pan Oo Hlut or the Aries' practice of 'Deforation of the Bride' would have disappeared by Kyanzittha's time or by Bayinaung's reign if it had not disappeared during the reign of King Anawrahta.It's a Tantric Buddhist practice that even the present Trantric followers no longer follow. Why do you wish to rejuvenate?
(4) The earliest Burmese inscription is not Myazedi, but the Hledauk Inscription. There are earlier Burmese written graffiti or ink writings in pagodas before Myazedi's.Some say Burman got writing scripts from Pyu or from India directly and not from Mon.
(5) I'm not denying the contribution of Mon to Pagan culture and civilization including the introduction of Theravada Buddhism, but according to Taw Sein Kho and others China contributed a lot and Pala India contributed much. Sri Lanka too.
(6) It's strange that Mon do not have many grand cultural relics like in Pagan or those remained in Drawati, Thailand and in Cambodia. Why? Is Mon culture in Burma an illusion?
(7) Discard the personal things in discussing history and culture. As you know we don't elect the SPDC Government.It was thrust upon all the Burmese including you if you are still a Citizen of Burma.
(8) Write about your Mon view of Burmese History in Burmese or English and publish. I have never read such one except some smatterings like those by Naing Pan Hla. I know his son-in-law and daughter very well. I like the Mon because they are polite and good- natured.I have many Mon friends.
(9) Do you know Mons have contributed a lot to Burma from the day of Shin Arahan through Shin Saw Pu to Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin, Paragu, U San Htoon, Daw Mi Mi Khaing etc and they all claimed to be Burmese? They stood and stand with Bamara through thick and thin. Don't be sectarian and ethnic conscious. Be a good Bumese (Not Burman or Bama).
(10) By the way, I'm 100 % Burman, but I'm neither chauvinistic or race-conscious. I respect those who are race-blind, intellectual and magnanimous.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
Thank you very much again.
(1)
If Buddhism was present in Pagan Pagan before Anawrahta, then why there is no Buddhist statutes or Pagodas built in Bamar Kingdom earlier on, if you can prove one then I am really appreciate for it(not in Pyu era please). Michael Aung Thwin denied the existence of a cultured Mon kingdom before Anawrahta, then how could King Anawrahta conquered Thaton. It means they sat down a meeting together and established kingdoms at the same time? Well not some. lost of historians criticized his version on Mon kingdom of Thathon. Your comment on H. G. Luce and Durosoille views as British Colonial historians, you must accept that they have no pressure whatsoever on their view unlike Burmese History Books written by Bamar Historian. Why they gave more credit Mons rather than to write the truth? It because of their wives are Mons. I don’t think so…
(2)
I met Michael Aung Thwin once too and so did his sister, Maureen who is a very nice and intelligence lady . according to her, she is 50% Karen 25% Mon and so on.
(3)
Thank you for sharing this info, I do not know that the Trantric followers are still exist in presenday. I am really interesting in it.
(4)
No wonder those people would like to grateful to Pyu and other rather than Mons. I have to ask advice on this issue from Nai Pan Hla and others. One thing I am sure that those ink writings found on the wall of pagodas were after the Anawrahta conquered Thaton.
(5)
I agree with you on that.
(6) That is true but Mon culture in Burma is not an illusion. Do you know Aung Ze Ya destroyed the whole city of Ayutthaya in Thailand? Do you aware of Kalayanoi Stone inscriptions vandalized by unknown people? Do you know the stone inscription of Shin Saw Pu in southern gate of Shwedagon Pagoda was cut off by Ne Win’s regime in 1985-86 and moved away from public? Almost historical facts those written in Mon language were destroyed. What are you going to say the existence of the great Shwdagon pagoda? Kyeik Htee Yo? Shwe Maw Daw of Bassein? Well look at the Lop Buri of Old Mon kingdom in Thaialnd, there are also not many grand cultural relics like in Pagan too but people are still there and some elders are still speaking Mons.
(7) I respect you as a knowledgeable man and honorable scholar. No doubt for it. But one thing I am not agree with you that SPDC is not government, to me they are dictatorship.
(8) Where are we going to publish Mon history in Mon? How are we going to do it as the regimes have never been allowed us to do so? Two Mon seniors’ monks were arrested and jailed for several years for republishing Mon history from Palm inscriptions in Mon magazine in 1977. Yes there were few books published in Thailand long time ago. I am not a historian so there may be more books than I know publish in Mon. I have read many books about Burma History any way. Yes Nai Pan Hla used to be my teacher in stone inscription class and one of drink mate too.
(9) Do you know what Bo Aung San said in one of his speech? The freedom movement started with 300 Mons and 1000 Tavoys. But he forgot to include Mon in the Panlong conference. I am not sectarian at all; I grew up among Bamar people, worked with Bamar more than Mon and half of MY life in Burma, I lived in Rangoon.
(10) Thank you for telling me that, I am not 100% Mon, mixed with Baman, My grandfather came from north and and end up in Monland, no one know where he came from. He is tall and has long hair. He has never gone back to his native place, he maybe a criminal or something to hide behind. Let me tell you frankly, 60% Bamar I met are chauvinistic.
Yours sincerely,
Dear U Rocey,
So you are half-Mon and still feel more than a pure Mon? Why?
(1) Michael Aung Thwin says on line that his mother was Mon so he means 50 %. His father was half Burman and half Karen, so I deduced it to 25 % each. Actually, this does not matter. Important thing is his concept about the Mon Paradigm and Mist of Ramanna Desa!
(2) Western historians like to separate Pyu from Bamar. They thought Pyu and Bamar are different. My grandmother and Burmese elders think and say Pyu became Bamar and "If you are a pure Bamar you are a Pyu and it's true in vice versa too. Dr Than Tun published a book entitled, "Where have Pyu gone to?" and he answered they are here in Burma and he is the Pyu meaning all Burmans are Pyu.It was published just before he died. So, all the Pyu pagodas like Bawbawgyi in Prome and those in Phowuntaung in Monywa etc belong to Bamars.
(3) I just read an article that Shin Arahan asked Anawrahta to conquer Thaton to save the Buddhists especially the monks there to protect them from the onslaught of imminent Hindu (Sivaites) Khmer attack!
The question is why was he anxious for the Mon Buddhists in Thaton if the Mon and Khmer are of the same racial stock?
(4) Buddhism has many forms and one scholar writes about the advent of Buddhism in Burma on line and in book form. He writes that Buddhism is in Burma since the first century AD. Anawrahtar's conquest of Thaton if true may be a pretext to unify his emerging and enlarging Burma kingdom like Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire.
So, enough for Mon and Bamar!!
There are other matters more imporatnt than that in this world at present.
By the way, writing serious things like history and culture or politics by a nom de guerre is in-ingenuous.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
Yes I am not pure Mon, but I am responding on your misleading so called Mon Myanmar poems and unjustified comment on Aung Zay Ya's slaughter against Mon civilians. Many Barmar expressed their views saying that it is a horrific and regrettable event. They believed in that part of history only after seeing the ruined city of Ayudaya.
Well well well U Mg Mf Nyo, don’t you have books written by other authors rather than those from Barmar? ha
You said you have read an article about Ashin Arahan requested Anorratha to attack Thathon. How did he/she know and which evidence has he/she had to proof? Moreover how could a scholar like you to quote it as a reference? If there is record of conversation between Annoratha and shin Arahan, it will worth over millions in cash and in historical facts.
Well well well, finally, in order to beat Mon by culture and literature, ever an educated Bamar like you has no hesitation to change your national identity into Pyu. Poor Barmar…
Finally please see a series of footage start from the following link; it begins with a Thai scholar opening speech followed by commentary of a historian and amusement by audiences in response to Mickle Aung Twin's "Mon Paradigm and Mist of Ramanna Desa". Please bear in your mind that Thai scholars are not under tight pressure like Barmars by authority.
Well it is quite true that writing serious things like history and culture or politics by a nom de guerre is in-ingenuous but ignore the truth, misinterpreted the history facts and played with the real are also shameful act in the civilized society.
Open your eye and mind wide,
Thank you very much for your time. I will request other historian to response, for me bye...
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