Bo Pauk Sein
Sayadaw Bo Pauk Sein (also known as U Weizza Dvara) was a renowned first-generation Weizza master. His formal title was U Weizza Dvara Thawbitha, and he was commonly referred to as "Sayadaw Bo Pauk Sein" or simply "Bo Pauk Sein".
Name and Origin
Bo Pauk Sein practiced solitary meditation in the village of Maran near Hinthada Township in the Ayeyarwady Region before moving to Yangon. During this time, he devoted himself entirely to the Dhamma, so some people misunderstood him and criticized him. There were domestic insurgents around Hinthada Township. One day, a suspicious group mistook the Sayadaw meditating in the forest for a spy rather than a monk and attempted to interrogate him. When they tried to harm him, he struck them with his palm and said calmly, "Try again, see what happens," causing one attacker to shoot at him. Despite the gunshot, no harm came to him until he deliberately redirected the projectile, demonstrating extraordinary power. Because of this, people began calling him "Bo Pauk Sein," "Sayadaw Bo Pauk Sein," and "Sayadaw Bo Pauk Sein" in recognition of his mystical abilities. His disciples described him as a highly virtuous and spiritually accomplished individual. The name "Pauk Sein" reflects his exceptional intelligence and sharp insight. His personal seal was known as "Pauk Sein Two Hands."[1]
Lineage, Birth, and Early Life
Birth and Background
The exact birth details, parentage, and birth year of Sayadaw Bo Pauk Sein remain unknown. Many believe he was a reincarnation of Shin Iza Gawna (Shin Mahti). Different regions provide varying accounts: an 80-year-old monk from Bagan claimed Bo Pauk Sein was born in Bagan; U Ba Than, a Shan, stated he was of Shan origin; others suggested Maung Myo, Mon Ywa, or other regions. [2]
Lifespan
Sayadaw Bo Pauk Sein reportedly recounted events during the reigns of King Nawng, Alaungpaya, Bodawpaya, and King Thibaw. He often referred to the first Bo Bo Aung as "Maung Shwe Aung" and his father Bo Min Khine as "Maung Min Khine Gyi," suggesting he may have been older than both. A witness recounted seeing him as a child under the guidance of his father. These details make it difficult to estimate his exact age. According to artist disciple U Bri, his birthdate was 9th Day of the Full Moon, Thadingyut Month, Myanmar Year 1325 (30 September 1964). On that day, offerings were made at Nagalayingu Suta Wadi Monastery. [1]
Practice in Different Regions
Eyewitnesses reported that Bo Pauk Sein practiced meditation in Shwegyemon, Chaung Oo, Shwebo, Pyay, Taikkyi, Maubin, Phyarpon, Wakhema, Deydawe, Nyaungdon, Hinthada, Bago, Shan State, Maung Myo, Mone Ywa, and Kachin State over many years. Before World War II, he met a Chinese man named "Tata" in Maubin, and after the war, he reunited with him in Yangon, noting that Bo Pauk Sein remained youthful in appearance.[2]
Distinctive Characteristics
Bo Pauk Sein was known for wearing large round glasses continuously. He reportedly did not bathe or shave, and at night wore long yellow robes while performing tasks inside his room without sleep. His eyes were asymmetrical, one narrow and one wide, contributing to the belief he was a reincarnation of Shin Iza Gawna.[2]
He lived simply and without arrogance, and was known for his deep wisdom. Visitors admired him as "fully enlightened" and "knowing all things." Scholars and monks consulted him on worldly and spiritual matters, and he could answer complex questions, including advanced metaphysical inquiries.[2]
Bo Pauk Sein was skilled in both pragmatic and medical healing, though he delegated treatments to master healer U Seinta (Shwe Myint Dhamma). He could also explain rituals, palmistry, and astrology, and was fluent in foreign languages, including English and German.[1]
Arrival in Yangon
During the Japanese occupation, Bo Pauk Sein practiced meditation near Maran Village, Hinthada. In 1950 (Myanmar Year 1312), due to domestic unrest, he traveled to Yangon with masters U Rewata and U Thumitta. At the Hinthada River, he had U Rewata carry his light bag, which contained only a medicinal leaf. On arrival in Yangon, donors welcomed him generously, enabling him to settle without difficulty. He established the Aung Mingalar Siddi Monastery on Shan Road, Sanchaung Township, after residing at U Ba Thun's house for three months.[1]
Extraordinary Events
Display of Clairvoyance
One close disciple, U Tin Myint (Ko Maung Maung), witnessed Bo Pauk Sein's clairvoyant abilities. On one occasion, he predicted the contents of a bottle of oil and performed a miraculous action that astonished Ko Maung Maung.[2]
Another disciple, U Myint Soe, also observed repeated manifestations of his supernatural knowledge. For example, Bo Pauk Sein could produce fruits upon request, demonstrating extraordinary foresight and power.
Bo Pauk Sein and the Chinese "Tata" from Maubin
Approximately 20 years before WWII, a Chinese man named "Tata" rescued a monk floating on the riverbank in Maubin. Tata cared for the monk for three days before the monk departed, later identified as Bo Pauk Sein. Decades later, Bo Pauk Sein recognized Tata and his daughters in Yangon, and Tata recalled the previous encounter, noting that Bo Pauk Sein had remained youthful in appearance.[2]
Abbot Bo Pauk Sein
Abbot Bo Pauk Sein was highly skilled in mystical knowledge and demonstrated many extraordinary phenomena.
Calming the Storm at Poppar Taung Club
The abbot, along with his disciples, traveled to Poppar by three buses. The weather was favorable along the journey, but as they prepared to ascend Poppar Taung Club, strong winds suddenly struck. Due to the storm, the disciples considered abandoning the climb. At that moment, the abbot plucked a leaf at the foot of the mountain, threw it into the wind with a four-square gesture from his palm, and the violent storm immediately transformed into a gentle breeze. All disciples witnessed this. This event highlighted the abbot's exceptional mystical abilities.[2]
Manifestation of Mystical Marks on the Body
Another event demonstrating the abbot's mystical abilities involved Fire Brigade Chief U Hla Kyaw (later Fire Chief) and two brothers, Bo Min Khaw and Ye Bo Thone Kyite. While constructing the Aungmingala Thiddi Monastery under a jackfruit tree, the abbot would spend three-day retreats there. U Hla Kyaw often visited. Curious to test the abbot's powers, the brothers requested a ritual. Though the abbot initially resisted, U Hla Kyaw and Bo Min Khaw poured water over his body. To their astonishment, red mystical marks appeared clearly on the abbot's body. The two brothers exclaimed, "The abbot truly possesses mystical powers," and offered respectful apologies.[2]
Disciples: Kyar Pyan Ma Kaw
Kyar Pyan Ma Kaw was a notable disciple who actively participated in the abbot's religious activities. When U Than Maung and Daw Kaw, a married couple facing financial difficulties, approached the abbot, he quietly asked them, “Do you want to pursue business or religious practice?” The disciple replied, “Both.” The abbot then named him "Kyar Pyan Ma Kaw" and instructed him to follow the ritual. Subsequently, the disciple prospered and was successful in both business and religious practice.
Abbot as a Physician
The abbot was also skilled in medicinal arts. Around 1301, he carried bundles of herbs and stones on a bamboo platform over water for rituals. Near Danu Phyu town, he encountered a girl whose family had prepared a corpse for ritual purposes. The abbot intervened, instructing the family to stop and revive the girl. He performed rituals using cow's milk and a bronze vessel, chanting protective mantras. Soon, the girl revived and the poisonous snake spirit withdrew. Villagers expressed deep gratitude, and some modern scholars claim that they obtained knowledge of snake-related medicinal arts from him.[1]
Poppar Wehlaung Pagoda Consecration
U Kwak, a former impoverished boy, had built a pagoda at Wehlaung School but could not complete the consecration in his lifetime. His sons, U Aye and U Thein, requested the abbot to oversee the consecration. Abbot Bo Pauk Sein successfully conducted the ceremony for the pagoda located between Poppar and Myinchan villages.[2]
Successful Consecration Ceremony
The abbot, with disciple U Thumaitta, traveled to Wehlaung village and selected an auspicious date. Bamboo poles were erected as ritual markers in accordance with Burmese custom. Attending the ceremony were U Nandiya from Mandalay, U Sainda (a nature Dharma teacher), and U Thuriya (a senior physician). When a rope broke and the flower cart fell, the abbot calmly adjusted it and completed the consecration successfully.[2]
Fierce Wind and Miracles
Around 4 PM on the day of the ceremony, strong winds struck, destroying nearby structures, yet the pagoda remained intact. When U Thumaitta expressed concern, the abbot said, “Do not worry. Let’s see if the pagoda stands firm.” He explained that earlier failures were caused by obstructing spirits, which he had appeased and relocated.[2]
Mystical Talismans and Blessings
During his lifetime, many devotees requested mystical talismans from the abbot. The abbot blessed items such as hand amulets, ritual powders, protective water, medicinal balls, and magical powders. The first type included small hand amulets for children to succeed academically. The second type, ritual powders, were given to close disciples for protection. The third type, water talismans, were used for fire protection. The fourth type, medicinal balls and magical powders, were used to promote health and longevity.
Pop Sein Talismans
Contrary to some beliefs, the abbot did not bless amulet figures called "Pop Sein" during his lifetime. He only blessed hand amulets, ritual powders, water, medicinal balls, and magical powders. The first person to create and bless Pop Sein amulet figures was his disciple U Thilwantha, who continued religious activities in Taungngu town and crafted talismans from sacred substances obtained during rituals.
Pop Sein Amulets on Buildings
According to close disciples, Pop Sein amulets were associated with buildings rather than individual talismans. When constructing a building, the abbot instructed only to attach Pop Sein amulet figures, not to perform other rituals. Therefore, Pop Sein amulets can be seen at monasteries, pagodas, and associated buildings constructed or renovated under his guidance.
Pagodas and Monasteries Consecrated by the Abbot
The abbot lived in three-month retreats at Popkon village in Pathein East Township and consecrated a mound of soil in the monastery. At Nagalwine Gu Kone Hill, he supervised the construction and consecration of sacred statues of Maha Myat Muni using five metals (gold, silver, bronze, tin, and iron), named "Pujalawa."
Restorations by the Abbot
In 1325, he restored the Shwe Yaung Taw Pagoda, organizing a consecration with his disciple Sin Phu. In 1326, he consecrated Buu Pagoda in Pagan, along with Anandabhu and King Min Myo's pagodas. He also renovated pagodas in Sagaing and Myinman villages, and supervised construction along the road from Poppar to Taungklap Gold Cave to facilitate pilgrim access. Many of these buildings still display Pop Sein amulets.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 U Weizza Dvara's Religious Journey and Perspectives (1st ed., 2002). Sittida Taw Publishing. https://www.myanmaronlinesales.com/MyanmarBooks/BookDetails/10784
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 First Weizza Mahiddhi Chronicle, Volume 3 (1st ed., 2020). Moe Kyaw Publishing. https://www.myanmarbookshop.com/MyanmarBooks/BookDetails/53570
