The Irrawaddy

December 01, 2003—People from throughout Burma are traveling to Thamanya mountain in Karen State to pay homage to a revered Buddhist monk who died on Nov 29, says a resident of the capital.

Thamanya Sayadaw, formally known as Bhaddanta Vinaya, is highly respected among Burmese Buddhists. Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi visited his monastery to pay homage to him when she was released from her first and second periods of house arrest in 1995 and 2002.

The 93-year-old monk passed away at Rangoon General Hospital from diabetes and heart problems.

One Rangoon resident said many people in the capital are organizing group trips to Thamanya mountain to pay their last respects. He was also aware of such trips being planned in Pegu and Mandalay. The government-run media reported that the monk’s body was taken to his monastery in Karen State.

An obituary piece in the state-run New Light of Myanmar praised Thamanya Sayadaw for his long commitment to Buddhism. The monk was ordained in 1923, at the age of 13. The government bestowed an honorary title upon him in 1991 for his "attributions and brilliant missionary performance."

The area surrounding the Thamanya temple has been declared a "peace zone" despite both anti-Rangoon Karen soldiers and Burmese military troops operating in the area. Visitors to the area must also discard all non-vegetarian foods before entering.

Thamanya Sayadaw also built schools and pagodas and provided maintenance for local roads with the money people donated to him.

Because of the monk’s reputation, Thamanya mountain has for years welcomed visitors from throughout Burma, who came to hear sermons by Thamanya Sayadaw.