U Khan Dee: The Hermit on the Hill
covering burma and southeast asia
Friday, March 29, 2024
Magazine

CULTURE

U Khan Dee: The Hermit on the Hill


By Aung Zaw and Shawn L Nance JUNE, 2002 - VOLUME 10 NO.5


COMMENTS (0)
RECOMMEND (304)
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
PLUSONE
 
MORE
E-MAIL
PRINT
(Page 2 of 2)

To preserve his clean image, he never allowed his assistants to handle the money and public donations. Despite his noble efforts and the appreciation given by his devotees, U Khan Dee found himself embroiled in controversy once again as Burma’s nationalist movement was gaining momentum. The Young Men’s Buddhist Association, a social, religious and cultural organization, was thrust into politics by 1916 when British disrespect concerning Buddhist practices became a nationalist issue, particularly the directive requiring the wearing of shoes inside sacred temple grounds. As anti-colonial sentiments grew, a boycott on foreign goods became a major political weapon for the nationalists. Many of the bricks, metal and other materials U Khan Dee used for renovation and construction were ordered from British companies in Rangoon. The boycott cut off much of this supply and Burmese nationalists and some locals began accusing U Khan Dee of conspiring with the British and encouraged people to stay away from him. His distinguished guest list of high-ranking British officials did not help his cause. His visitors included Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India, Sir Harcourt Butler, the governor of Rangoon who also helped fund the establishment of Rangoon University, Sir John Simon, one of the architects of the expansion of the British Empire, and Clement Atlee, who later became Britain’s prime minister. "When the British came to Burma, they all came to Mandalay, particularly to Mandalay Hill to see U Khan Dee," writes the famous author, Ludu Daw Ah Mar. "They have all left their comments and impressions in his guest book." Most of the impressions not only of the British, but also of the Burmese who visited from all over the country, were highly favorable, and U Khan Dee’s strong determination never wavered in the face of the accusations and boycotts. His impressive ability to complete construction works all over the country especially at remote hills and forest areas at an inestimable cost eventually exonerated him from guilt and fueled the magnificent legend of the hermit monk’s powers. The people who went up the Hill always reported seeing him at the beginning of their pilgrimage. But what astounded visitors most was when they would see U Khan Dee at each rest stop along the 1,700-step journey receiving donations or with his workers on temple construction sites. When others arrived at the summit later in the day with similar tales of encountering the hermit monk along the way, the legend of his omnipresence and his capacity to make himself invisible grew by the day. British intelligence officials came to witness for themselves U Khan Dee’s remarkable powers—including the ability to turn silver into gold. Once in the presence of U Khan Dee, the hermit monk would sit down and place his donation box in front of him. Although his appeals for alms were mute, his donation box would soon fill up with cash as well as gold rings and necklaces offered by religious pilgrims, thus convincing British officers of his special abilities. The great fortune amassed on the Hill allowed U Khan Dee to expand his endeavors. He set up a printing press to publish Buddhist teachings and other religious texts. These books were distributed across the country. Sadly, his publishing house was bombed and destroyed during the war. The British General T. W. Rees, who led the battle to recapture Mandalay from the Japanese during World War Two, paid a visit to U Khan Dee. Noticing the destruction inflicted on the Hill from the bombing, he and his soldiers donated 2,500 kyat. Though the amount is small by today’s standards (US $3), it was considered a fortune in those days. As night would fall and all the pilgrims had already departed, the spirits and nats (local nature spirits) would descend upon the Hill to pay their respects and donate gold. U Khan Dee would lay his bamboo mat under a mosquito net, rest his head on a wood pillow and meditate before sleeping. After his death in January 1949, the country plunged into civil war that continues to this day. Amidst the initial outbreaks of fighting, many people from all over the country flocked to Mandalay to pay their final respects to the Hermit on the Hill, including Thakin Kodaw Hmaing, the most influential literary figure throughout the colonial period. People all over Burma still talk fondly about Yathee Gyi U Khan Dee. Although some renovation projects initiated by the great hermit monk have been damaged by war and the passage of time, many others still stand in Mandalay and elsewhere in Burma. And since his passing over 50 years ago, the legend of his remarkable achievements and magical powers has not diminished, standing the test of time and protracted warfare.


« previous  1  |  2  | 

COMMENTS (0)
 
Please read our policy before you post comments. Click here
Name:
E-mail:   (Your e-mail will not be published.)
Comment:
You have characters left.
Word Verification: captcha Type the characters you see in the picture.
 

more articles in this section