"Bhante, could I ask you a few little things I am wondering about?"

The supporter U Maung Maung Aye has a habit of coming to the Shwe Taung Gon S�sana Yeiktha every Monday and asking permission to ask me questions.

"If it's something I know, of course I will answer it. Please ask, please ask."

"Why is it that the word 'bhivamsa' is added on the end of our Shwe Taung Gon S�sana Yeiktha Sayadaw's monk name?"

"The word is not 'bhivamsa', but rather 'abhivamsa'. In writing 'U Pandit�bhivamsa', the two words 'abivamsa' and 'pandita' are combined, so it become 'Pandit�bhivamsa'. It's like the way 'pandita' and '�rama' combined become 'Pandit�rama'. 'Abivamsa' is a P�li word meaning 'noble lineage', Devotee."

"That word 'abhivamsa' is not used for all monks. Is it a word which is used for those who have passed an examination?"

"That's correct."

"Which examination, Bhante?"

"It is an examination which is held in both Yangon and Mandalay. In Yangon, it is held by the Cetiyiga�a Association. In Mandalay, it is held by the Thakyathiha Association. Those who pass that examination use the title 'abivamsa'. Sayadaw passed the examination given in Yangon by the Cetiyiga�a Association. That is why his name is written 'U Pandit�bhivamsa'."

"Well, I've got that one, Bhante. How about 'dhamm�cariya', what is that, Bhante? Did Sayadaw pass the 'dhamm�cariya' examination?"

"He did. That is an examination held by the government. It means 'Dhamma teacher'."

"What is the difference between 'dhamm�cariya' and 'abhivamsa', Bhante?"

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