| Background: |
|
| Shin Raṭṭhasāra | |
| Alias: | Shin Maha Rahtathara |
| Birth Name: | Maung Mauk |
| Birth Date: | 1468 |
| Birth Place: | Ava |
| Nationality: | Kingdom of Ava |
| Religion: | Buddhism |
| School: | Theravada |
| Location: | Ava, Myanmar |
Shin Raṭṭhasāra (Burmese: ရှင်မဟာရဋ္ဌသာရ; 1468–1529 (1530) was a Buddhist monk and prominent classical poet during the Ava Kingdom, known for his pyo poetry. His 1523 Kogan Pyo based on the Hatthipāla Jātaka, is among the most widely known pyo in modern-day Myanmar, and is taught in Burmese schools.[1] His Buridat Pyo (; based on the Bhūridatta Jātaka) is also considered an exemplar of the medieval literary style, is considered a masterpiece of Burmese classical poetry.[1] Raṭṭhasāra also composed metrical versions of other Jataka tales, including the Saṃvarajātaka, besides a number of other poems.[2]
Despite his poetic contributions, Burmese chroniclers excluded him from the succession of elders (thera), because he not only wrote verse, but also recited and instructed pupils in the art of recitation, which was considered a transgression of the Vinaya, specifically the rules governing singing and dancing.
Raṭṭhasāra was born on 1468 in Ava Kingdom and growing up in royal palace of Ava. Descended from royal lineage, Raṭṭhasāra was the son of Dhammapāla, a minister, a nephew of Queen Shin Sawbu; his mother was the great-granddaughter of Thado Minbya, the founder of the Kingdom of Ava.
He taught astrology, poetry and Pali under a Buddhist monk, Varacakkapāla and Thiho (Sri Lanka) Sayadaw . He began writing poems at the age of 12. At 16, he wrote Buridat Pyo . His writer rival is Shin Maha Silavamsa .
A prolific writer, he wrote many pyo, mawgun and other types of poems during his lifetime. His last work was Thanwara Pyo, based on the Saṃvarajātaka. Raṭṭhasāra died in 1529 at the age of 61.
Raṭṭhasāra was a prolific writer, composing at least 17 works throughout his lifetime, including:[3]