Hanthawady Sinbyushin
An Autobiography

Translated by Than Tun

Archaeological excavations in Bago at the palace site of Hanthawady Sinbyushin (popularly called Bayin Naung) are in progress. Everyone who is interested in the achievement of this great king would like to know about him in addition to what information we have from the Glass Palace Chronicle compiled in 1820. Bagan Shwezigon has a big bell of bronze hung by him in thirty four lines of Mon and it is in fact the autobiography of Hanthawady Sinbyushin (coronation on 12 January 1554 - died on 17 November 1581). An English version of the bell inscription is given here. It tells the story from 11 January 1551 to 23 May 1557.

Mon text of Bayin Naung's bell inscription edited with Myanmar translation appears in All Mon Inscriptions, 1965, I, 214-219, II, 105-108 (ASB 1952-3, List 1072, List 23 Appendix A).

BAYIN NAUNG'S BELL INSCRIPTION
AT BAGAN SHWEZIGON

(1) After the lapse of 2094 years since the Death of Buddha (AD 1550) His Majesty Siriparamamahadhammarajadhiraja the Great King of Law (a) whose glory shines like that of the sun, (b) whose ability knows no bound, (2)(c) whose energy is inexhaustible, (d) whose reputation is much widespread, (e) whose power is unlimited, (f) whose virtues are known in several different aspects, (g) whose freedom is almost unlimited, (3)(h) whose knowledge of the kingly ways is most extensive and (i) whose awareness of the environmental control is very acute, has now vastly extended his territories so that his flag of triumph is flying ( almost everywhere). He succeeded in taking the city of Ketumati on January 1551. (4) From the time that Ketumati (Taung U) was taken, (a royal order was passed) to repair dilapidated religious buildings and to add several religious buildings (wherever necessary). After having done so much in the interest of the Religion, the Great Just King marched from Ketumati to Sarekhettara which he took on 30 August 1551. (5) Additional meritorious deeds were done. Then mustering land as well as water forces, he marched against Hamsawati on 12 March 1552. In a combat with the Mon king, His Majesty's elephant Uposatha succeeded in breaking the tusk of Mon king's elephant and this eventually led to the fall of Hamsavati. From the time that Hamsavati was taken, repair of ancient monuments begun according to his wont. Several new buildings were also built to help the Buudha's Religion prosper. (All thieves, bullies, etc. were severely dealt with. In order to dispense justice to all, a bell was hung (outside) the palace for anyone for ring it for a redress of any grievance.

On 12 January 1554 Their Majesties Siriparamamahadhammaraja and Siriaggamahadhamarajadevi were coronated with great pomp and splendour in the Ratana Prasada in the midst of generals ministers, officers and men. After the coronation (9) Their Majesties moved to the (new) palace called Kambojasati. In order that the Buddha's religion shall thrive long, several sets of Pitaka were made. The Emperor next considered that it expedient to take over the control of places now under heretics. (10) Accordingly he mustered land and water forces and went (north). On 22 January 1555 the Great Just King took Innwa. The Innwa King with his generals, ministers, officers and men as well as elephants, horses and weapons were seized. (11) Henceforth all kings who used white umbrellas in the Myanma land were reduced to submission. Old religious monuments were repaired and some new ones were erected. Kings, ministers, generals and officers of old had no scruples to use property belonging to the Buddha, Dhamma and Samgha. (12) He forbade them to stop that. As a result the Mon and Myanma land glittered because cetiya, alms houses, monasteries, etc. were covered with gold. Monks were happy doing the two dhura (Gantadura - learn the Teaching, and Vipassanadhura- practise the Teachings). In this way the Sasana (Buddha's Teaching) (13) prospered. In spite of this several duties, His Majesty took special interest in the propagation of the Religion. He was also prepared to take any risk to have it well established in both the lands of Mon and Myanma. (14) He wanted now to promote the Religion in Sinhala (Sri Lanka) where it was a decline for several years. So he requested the help of a few samgha who were distinguished in the two dhura. They were given one set of Pitaka, a bright casket of jewels for the Tooth Relic, (15) one white umbrella, a pair of brooms made of hair of the Great Just King and the Chief Queen to be used (at the Temple of Tooth). There were also several gifts for monks and men in Sinhala. To do the repair at the religious monuments carpenters, wood carvers, masons, painters, gold foil men and lacquer men were included in the mission. (16) There were also diplomats for liaison. She envoy took a sailing ship to Sinhala and they got there safely. They succeeded in carrying out the programme as directed by the Great Just King and out of gratitude they received the return gift of saririkadhatu (bodily relics) from Sinhala which they brought back safely (17) to Hamsawati.

There was not a day nor a month nor a year when no meritorious deed was done. The Great Emperor now turned his attention to the Shan land (further north). They were non - Buddists and their neighbours could not have place unless there were converted into Buddhists. Thus prompted by his great intelligence and foresight he started the (north campaign). (18) On 9 November 1556, the Lord of Life and the Great Just King with Aggamahesi (the Chief Queen) were taken on a bejewelled golden palanquin with tower by a multitude of retinues. (19) Then Their Majesties were transferred to a golden barge 201 feet long with two multi-tiered-roof pavilions one on the bow and another in the middle, called the Magnificent and Incomparable Culamani Golden Boat. (20) Another golden barge used then was 165 feet long and called the shining Gorgeous Rhwe Lon: Manui Biman Hle. It had three multi-tiered roof pavilions. Although the king was not in the palace, he had had all the comforts of the palace, (21) All his generals and ministers were present. On 24 December 1556, they arrived at the Golden Palace of Innwa. On 8 January 1557 they left Innwa. (22) The same large troops were in tow. On 25 January 1557 the Great Just King took the ruby land of Mong Mit and Hsipaw. The Saopha himself and his men all surrendered. Elephants, horses, weapons, etc. were seized. (23) The Just Great King felt that here was the land where Buddhism would thrive in the future. So the Great Just King decided to convert the subjects of Mong Mit Hsipaw Ruby land into Buddhism. To begin the programme of propagating the Religion, he had had built a pagoda built on (24) 8 February 1557 on the northwest of Mong Mit. On 10 February 1557 ( 25) the Sarirakadhatu relic chamber was closed. Land given to the monks for the maintenance of the religious establishment were the Panjai lands of Kokkri paddy and Pantum land producing 400 baskets of Kokkri and Muran: paddy. Altogether the lands produced yearly 600 (baskets) of paddy. On the four sides of pagoda, four monasteries were (26) built and resident monks were given a good supply of eight Parikkhara (requisites of monks). Then they were requested to carry on with the propagation of the religion. The cetiya was also built at Hsipaw. At Mong Mit with due pomp and ceremony the grandson of Saopha was made the new Saopha. At Hsipaw, the chief of Hsomsai was made Saopha. (27) The Great Just King made the town fortifications at all these places strong. With the intention to take Mogaung (Mong Kawng) and Mohnyin (Mong Yang) he left the Ruby Land on 17 February 1557 and arrived at Thi:khyuin on 20 February 1557. A (pontoon) bridge was made across the river there and the troops went across to the other bank of the river. (28) The march northwest was resumed on 28 February 1557. Mohnyin (Mong Yang) was taken on 6 March 1557 and Mogaung (Mong Kawng) on 11 March 1557 . After having carried out the conquests to his entire satisfaction, the Great Just King on 2 April 1557 ordered the Saopha of Mogaung (Mong Kawng) called Colum to bring his ministers, officers, armedmen, elephants and horses (29) and attend the levee. There with an unbelievable boldness but unfathomable foresight he made a Colum a Saopha in his Old place without any loss of status or property. All the emperors in all the eight directions of the world admired him. (30) All the fortifications at Mohnyin (Mong Yang), Mogaung (Mong Kawng) and Kale were made strong. In both the kingdoms of Mogaung Mohnyin and Momeit Thibaw, slaves male and female were buried with the dead lord. That was non-Buddhistic and therefore now forbidden. (31) On 9 April 1557 the Great Just King left Mogaung (Mong Kawng). Ketumati, Hamsavati, Sarakhettara, Arimaddanapura, Innwa, Momeit (Mong Mit), Thipo (Hsipaw), Ruby Land (32) Mogaung (Mong Kawng) , Mohnyin (Mong Yang) and Kale had had their own kings and they were now reduced to submission of the King of Kings who was the verily the U: Knot Pan: (Flower of Top Knot, Mhan Kan:) He is also one of the donors of Rhwecankhum in Arimaddanapura where the Tooth Relic is enshrined. His regnal title is Siriparamamahadhammarajadhiraja. (As one of the principal supporters of the Rhwecankhum pagoda) he had had the entire pagida gilt from Tupika (finial) to Phinap (bottom) and made it shining. (33) A bell weighing 2,100 viss of coper was cast for the Rhwecankhum where the Buddha's Tooth was enshrined. For making this good bell may I have the reward of becoming a Buddha and help the beings of the Three Worlds (34) to obtain nirvana after having learnt the way through my teachings. May my descendants who would inherit the Empire from me, also help the Religion to last long. When the good things I built (35) collapsed due to the lapse of time, may these descendants of mine repair them. On 23 May 1557, this bell was cast by the Great Just King of Law who succeeded in reducing (all living beings) in the ten directions into submission.

In: Golden Myanmar. Vol. I, No. 4 (1994) pp. 13-15.