and a sister named Ma Ehin Zoe.
As a young monk he went to Rangoon and then traveled to Moubin, Pegu, Toungoo, Mandalay and Pakhokku. At those places he industriously learned higher Buddhist teaching and further improved his Pali language. One time at Toungoo, he appeared for a basic Buddhist Examination and stood first. As his name was renown in Toungoo, a Shan lady asked him to be her adopted son. He responded ” If you wanted to adopt me, would you send me to Calcutta to have further studies ”. The Shan lady agreed, and he went to Calcutta as a layman studied English and other subjects taught for matriculation examination where he entered for the examination and passed the exam. He returned to Burma and ordained as a young monk again. As he reached the age of twenty, it was the age to be a full-fledged monk; he was ordained inside a ” Thein” obsessing Buddhist prayers and ”kamawar” by five senior monks. This ceremony was organized by one of his relative who working at Pakhoku Township as Bombay-Burma & Co representative.
After ordained as a full-fledged monk, he came back to Rangoon. From there he went to Calcutta. At that time in India Independence movements they were having a Strike momentum .The great poet Laureate Dr, Rabindranath Ta Goe and C.R Das, inspired politicians, were close friends of Rev: U Ottama. At that time Governor General of India separated the Bengal province to East and west Bengal. Dr. Rabindranath ,C.R Das and Rev:U Ottama led the anti separation movements, Rev:U Ottama who had been actively leading in Indian anti British colonial struggles, deeply considered of his fatherland Burma’s wade off the British colonial yoke. At that period a dissent I.C.S named V.N.Gosh who had resigned from service, founded a National college. As he was intimate friend of Rev: U Ottama, he appointed the venerable U Ottama as professor in Pali and Buddhist studies. While he was teaching these subjects, he learned Sanskrit, Bengali, Nagari, Hindi languages and literatures during the years of 1902 through 1905.
In Burma during that period there were no political motives and movements. But young educated Burmese formed an association which was similar to that of young Men’s Christian Association (Y.M.C.A) a Buddhist Organization called Young Men’s Buddhist Association (Y.M.B.A) by U Ba Pe (renowned Bagyi Ba Pe), U Maung Gyi (M.A), U Sein Hla Aung, their motto was Nationalism, Buddhism, National Culture and Education. When Rev: U Ottama returned to Burma, he enthusiastically helped and guided that Association.
In 1907, January, he went to Japan. In Japan he had contacted with Count Kosin Otarj, Lord Abbot of western Hongonjt Temple and lived with him .Because of count’s help Rev: U Ottama was appointed as professor of Pali at NishiHonMoji Buddhist University in Kisto .There he learned Japanese language, customs, cultures, concepts and ideals, Rev: U Ottama studiously learned languages and literatures of world renowned languages. Apart from his native language Burmese, he could read and wrote Pali, Hindi, Bangali, Nagari, Sanskrit, English, France, Tibetan and Japanese.
While Rev: U Ottama was in Japan he frequently met and discussed with Dr.Sun Yat-Sen. At that time he was a dissident, struggling, to form a Republic in China, and about regional and international politics of that time. In 1911, Rev: U Ottama returned from Japan. On the way back to Burma , he visited Korea, China, French- Indo-China(now Vietnam , Cambodia, Laos), after arriving in Saigon,(now Hochi-Min city, Vietnam),he met with prince Myaingwan and his son, who were living in exiled because their revolt against King Mindon of Burma was a failure. Prince Myingwan and his son offered Rev: U Ottama ’soon’, and they discussed the political conditions and perspectives of Burma. From there he traveled to Cambodia and Thailand. Form Thailand he went to Bombay and tried to meet the dethroned Burmese King Theebaw, who was under house arrest at Yadanar Gheri, but in vain. In late 1913, he returned to Burma.
While Rev: U Ottama was in Burma, he joined with Y.M.B.A, leaders U May Aung (an Arakanese), U Ba Pe, U Own, U Yan Kyaw (a journalist form Mandalay) for the political activities throughout Burma. Rev: U Ottama wrote articles in The Sun (Thurera) Daily newspaper; to respect and safeguard the nationality, the Buddhist Religion, and fight for freedom from British colonial yoke, to wear home made clothes and boycott foreign utilities.
In early 1912, he went back to Japan for a second time. At that trip he was accompanied by, his sister Ma Eing Zoe and other three youths for studies in Japan. They stayed in Japan for one year studying Japanese language and Industrial know-how, especially weaving.
In late 1914 he went back to Japan for the third time. After staying there for a few months, and on his return, he traveled to United States, Australia and Java Islands (now Indonesia). Rev: U Ottama in early years (that may be in 1903-04) he also visited England, France and other European Countries.
While Rev: U Ottama was in Japan for third time, he wrote a book about Japan in Burmese. That book was printed and published by the Sun press in Rangoon. All the prints were sold out within a few days.
Before, during and after the First World War, (that was from 1913 to 1920). Burmese Independence motives and movements were rising up. Their motto was ”Home Rule”, led by Rev: U Ottama and some Buddhist monk ”Sangas”, and Y.M.B.A leaders.
In 1920 Rev; U Ottama wrote a letter to, the then ” Lieutenant Governor Sir Reginald Cradock to Get-Out from Burma”. That letter was published in ”The Sun” Daily, at that time people from the grass root level to the upper echelon had to obey even to a police constable or a ward elder. The whole nation was astonished and astounded of the brave deed of Rev: U Ottama.
Rev: U Ottama went along to every corners of the country, from cities to towns and even to the remote villages. Orientating and organizing the masses to rouse and resist the British colonial rule. In the year 1922, the followers of Rev: U Ottama organized a mass rally at SuuKalatt village, in Dedaye township in Irrawaddy Division. At that meeting Rev: U Ottama’s speech was very forceful, vigorous and an insult to the government .The authorities arrested him , and charged him under the seditious Act, Indian Penal Code’s section 124(A) and 153(A) by Maubin Dristrict Judge , and sentenced one year and eight months , without labor . The Buddhist monk all over the country protested that punishment, and formed Monk’s Unions (Sanghas Thamagees) throughout the country. Women Associations were also formed and demanded for the release of Rev: U Ottama.
Rev; U Ottama, while actively and enthusiastically serving the national politics, he occasionally went to India. In 1920 December when the Burmese student’s first Rangoon University strike began, he was in Calcutta. He received a telegram mentioning about the first strike. He was very satisfied and joyful. After he received the news, he promptly returned to Rangoon, and together with the leaders of Y.M.B.A, discussed the regalia, and assisted the boycotters. Emboldened the boycotters to establish National schools through out the whole Country. National schools were established by patriotic elders and boycotters. The boycotters became principals and teachers of those schools.
In early days of 1923, Rev: U Ottama went to England. From there to French, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Portugal and other European Countries to observe study and analogue the political conditions, movement’s correlation, between the political adversaries. In 1924 January, he returned to Burma.
In 1920, Y.M.B.A organizations held an annual general meeting in Prome Township. At that meeting, all the participants decided to form a broader organization and they unified the Y.M.B.A associations and formed a General Council of Burmese Association (G.C.B.A).They elected U Chit Hlaing as president. Under the leadership of G.C.B.A, from every corner, people demanded for Home Rule that was for total Independence.
As the demand spread like wild-fire throughout Burma, British Colonial rulers formed an enquiry commission headed by Mr.White. Commission’s report did not recommend the Home Rule, instead introduced the Diarchy rule. Among the G.C.B.A leaders, who wanted to accept the Diarchy and who against that system were severed. U Chit Hlaing led the anti-Diarchy boycotter group. Boycotters’ G.C.B.A group was associated by 4000 nationalist organizations paying their subscription fees. Those who wanted to cooperate and work together with British led by U Ba Pe, U Pu, and U Maung Gyi (M.A) formed a pro-diarchy group including 21 members. They were called twenty-one party by the public. They made a declaration that they were going to contest for diarchy council.
At one of the mass meeting during September 1924, which was held in Rangoon Rev: U Ottama gave a speech, not to give extra taxes. He was arrested and sent to the Rangoon District Court for sedition, accusing him under Indian Penal Code; section 124(A) sentenced him with rigorous imprisonment for three years. After his confinement in Jail, he again gave speeches at mass rallies. At one of the mass meeting in Bottahtong Pagoda premises. Rev: U Ottama undressed his monk’s robes. Under his robe he had his Jail dress.When the public saw that event, ladies, children and even elder men wept, cried and became furious.
Rev: U Ottama followed the methods of Mahatama Gandhi’s non-violent and non-cooperation movements while Rev: U Ottama was in India. Rev: U Ottama was once elected as presidents of Hindi Mahar Sevaha Association and India National Congress the leading political organization fighting for independence from British Rule Rev; U Ottama also joined together with Mahatama Gandhi and formed (Sakagraha and Swaraj party and organized anti colonial activities.
Though Rev: U Ottama was a guiding star of Burmese independence after acceptance of diarchy, politicians became antagonists, and political motives deviated.
Those political leaders, who were once disciples of Rev: U Ottama, after accepting diarchy council members and became ministers they ignored him.
In 1930 December Sayar San a Peasant leader and one of the activist members of G.C.B.A led an armed revolt, started from Thayarwaddy District and spread through many parts of Burma. The Government troops had to suppress vigorously for four years, and then it was quelled.
After the years 1930 there came another political issue, that was to separate Burma and India. Rev: U Ottama’s did not like the idea of separating Burma and India, which would weaken the strength of the struggle against the British rule. But to be together in unified actions against the British rule. In 1932 December there was a referendum for or against the separation .The whole country voted for unification by more than five hundred thousand against separation. But the diarchy council’s majority members decided the separation. Thus Burma was separated from India. The Government of Burma Act was proclaimed, and ruled by 91 departments.
After proclamation of the government of Burma Act in 1935, the country was administered by 91 departments. Many of Rev: U Ottama disciples became, prime ministers, minister’s secretaries or legislators, and they administer the country under the governorship of British Governor .They drawn enormous salaries. They became British colonial stooges and ignored Rev: U Ottama.
After 1935, once Rangoon University student leaders and other educated persons and youths formed an organization called “DoBaMa Ase Ayone ”, or Thakin Party was formed and they called themselves Thakin in front of their names Thakin mean “Master”. They are strong activists against British colonialism. Mr. Maung Hmaing who was a journalist, poet, writer, nationalist and also a politician joined and led the Thakin Party, and named himself ”Thakin Ko Daw Hmaing ”. Rev; U Ottama encouraged them in spite of being physically and mentally ill. In 1938, the third University student’s strike started again. This strike spread throughout the country and joined by workers and peasants. It was a national uprising named as the “Thirteen Hundred Revolution “. Thakin mostly young enthusiastic, activists were admired by the masses, as brave ones .They duly respected Rev: U Ottama.
At that time he was suffering from illness and old age. He had diabetes, blood-pressure and other diseases. One time, Rev: U Ottama’s disciples did not look after nor take care of him. He roamed the streets wearing ragged robes, and without “THEE” (umbrella) or slippers under the hottest burning tropical sun. Sayadaw’s physical and mental health was extremely deteriorating while he was walking along the streets, fell frequently and senseless. Bystanders who knew and respected him took him back to the monastery where he was staying.
After the death of Rev: U Ottama’s intimate advocate and comrade U Sein Hla Aung; U Hla Tun Pru (M.A, B.L) advocate (he had a nick name Gautama the other U Hla Tun Pru, a journalist and politician), became closed associate with Rev: U Ottama .Since his college days, he was a very active member of Y.M.B.A. He was a disciple of Rev; U Ottama. When G.C.B.A was formed he served as a legal advisor for G.C.B.A. and took legal responsibilities and traveled to and fro though out Burma. After the split of G.C.B.A Rev: U Ottama was neglected and ignored by the G.C.B.A groups who accepted the colonial government posts and became British stooges .At that time U Hla Tun Pru was residing at 52nd Street in Botahtong Qrs, which was very close to Nyaung Don monastery , where Rev: U Ottama was staying . Sometime Sayadaw without having his ’soon’ at the eleventh hour of restricted time at noon. U Hla Tun Pru and his Madam Daw Phwa May had to rush and bought Monhingar from the comer of the street and offered to Sayardaw .Once Rev:U Ottama said to U Hla Tun Pru that some of his disciples, who were great now not even allowed him to enter their homes .Before Sayadaw’s demise and suffering severe diseases, Rev: U Ottama called U Hla Tun Pru and some Arakanese leaders and said ”he would be dying soon and wanted my pupils to be united against the fight of the British colonialism till Independence was achieved . Sayadaw had no one to help or care for him. On 7 August 1939 ,Arakanese Monk’s Association, held a meeting in Rangoon, decided to take care of Rev; U Ottama and denounced the [Ngapwinsign Group] a political group who were in power and was once Sayadaw’s disciples. Arakanese monks admitted Rev; O Ottama to the hospital but he passed away on 9 September 1939.
Two days after Sayadaw’s death on 11 September 1939, the First House of Representatives at their meeting forwarded condolence motion, on the death of Sayadaw U Ottama by U Thin Maung of Hanthawaddy North. The motion read ”That this House do place on record its deep sense of regret at the death of revered Sayadaw U Ottama”, one of the highly and widely respected political leaders of Burma and that this expression of condolences to be communicated to the bereaved family and that the sitting of the House be suspended for five minutes as a mark of respect to the late Reverend Sayadaw U Ottama”. The motion was carried and consensually decided. This was the only effort and gratitude toward the Great Leader and Hero of Burma.
Though power mongers and the British colonial stooges neglected Rev; U Ottma’s merits, young and beloved ones, Thakins and students, held U Ottama’s Memorial Day every year.
During the second world war, and under Japanese occupation Japanese language schools throughout Burma, prescribed a text book in Japanese, a biography of U Ottama ,by the author Meyashita Masami and illustrations by Tanakayu printed in Tokyo , Japan in February 20,1943.
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