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Venerable Webu Sayadaw and Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Venerable Webu Sayadaw and Sayagyi U Ba Khin were closely linked in their Dhamma work beginning with their first meeting in 1941. Webu Sayadaw urged Sayagyi U Ba Khin with unmistakable words to teach meditation and effectively gave him his mission to spread the Dhamma, and he continued to encourage and support him throughout his life in various ways. In 1953, Sayagyi U Ba Khin invited the Sayadaw to visit his newly established meditation centre in Inya Myaing Road in Yangon (Rangoon). Daw Mya Thwin (later Mother Sayamagyi) had, in Sayagyi U Ba Khin’s view, attained to a deep penetration of the Buddha Dhamma, and U Ba Khin wanted the Ven Webu Sayadaw’s confirmation. People who knew the Sayadaw did not think that he would accept the invitation as he had never made visits outside his three meditation centres in Upper Burma, but to everyone’s surprise he immediately accepted the invitation conveyed to him by one of Sayagyi’s disciples.
Ven. Webu Sayadaw undertook his first journey to lower Burma in response to Sayagyi’s invitation and spent seven days at the International Meditation Centre. Afterwards, he visited lower Burma every year, to give talks and teach. Seven years later, in 1960, he stayed at the IMC again from May 12th to May 17th.
Sayagyi U Ba Khin used to consult Webu Sayadaw on matters connected with his teaching, and when he wrote a treatise in Burmese entitled The Basic Study of the Buddha’s Teachings and Their Correct Application, he submitted it to Webu Sayadaw for approval in 1953. In his introduction to the book, Sayagyi wrote, “What we have found and what I am describing here are merely our findings and our analysis. I do not consider everything presented here to be completely, absolutely proven. If there are mistakes, I request that others correct me. I would like to invite pertinent criticism as well as comments from those who have a mature knowledge of the texts (paṭipatti) and from those Noble Ones who follow the Teachings — those who have practised extensively in the past and who continue to practise diligently today. It is my aim to do further work based on such comments — to either answer and clarify them or accept them.”
In mentioning “those Noble Ones who follow the Teachings — those who have practised extensively in the past and who continue to practise diligently today”, Sayagyi was especially thinking of Ven. Webu Sayadaw. He told the Sayadaw, “This booklet was written in accordance with the instruction I received from you. This is how I have been teaching Vipassanā, based on first-hand experience. This is the way I discovered the common factors involved in extraordinary achievements.”
Before publishing the text, Sayagyi sent a copy to Ven. Webu Sayadaw for his comments. Webu Sayadaw approved the text of The Basic Study in a handwritten letter, saying, “I received Sayagyi U Ba Khin’s text through my lay disciple Maung Bo. From the day U Ba Khin received the Teachings of the Buddha, he has practised and fulfilled them without interruption. Now he has reached the position of Accountant General and at the same time he is striving to benefit others through the Buddha’s Teachings. He has understood perfectly what only Noble Ones can understand — those Noble Ones who truly follow and fulfil the Buddha’s Teachings, who practise the three trainings of sīla, samādhi, and paññā in all their pristine purity in accordance with the Pāḷi scriptures. He has made lofty aspirations, and the treatise he has submitted is impressive. I believe that this booklet will spread the fragrance and the light of the Sāsana as it is in agreement with the aims of true Buddhists. You have given a great deal [in this book]. Now be mindful.”*
In 1965, Sayagyi U Ba Khin ordained for ten days under Webu Sayadaw in his forest monastery and meditation centre at Ingyinbin, Webu Sayadaw’s birthplace.
The following sections include, apart from my own accounts, relevant extracts from the biography of Sayagyi U Ba Khin written by his disciple U Ko Lay, former vice-chancellor of the University of Mandalay, with additional material contributed by Sayagyi U Chit Tin. Some slight corrections have been made to the extracts.
*Another way to translate the last sentences would be: “There are many way to interpret. Just be mindful.” In the introduction to The Basic Teachings of the Buddha and Their Correct Application, Sayagyi invites comments and criticism, and at the end of the booklet, he announces that this Dhamma Yaung Chi booklet n° 1 will be followed by n° 2 in which he would publish the comments received and his elucidation of these comments. In his biography of Sayagyi (p. 215), U Ko Lay mentions that Sayagyi planned to continue these publications. Webu Sayadaw, however, was concerned that this would develop into controversy and take up much of Sayagyi’s time — time that would otherwise be used to teach meditation. This is why the Sayadaw added the final sentence in his remarks. Sayagyi accepted the Sayadaw’s advice and did not continue the series.
