Mingun

by Hla Min

Updated : Oct 2025

Mingun Bell

For a certain period, the Mingun Bell weighing 55555 viss was the largest functioning ringing bell in the world.
Young Burmese remember the weight of the bell with the mnemonic “Min Phyu Hman Hman Pyaw”.
One viss equals 3.6 pounds.

Credited as for the revival of Vipassana (Insight) Meditation in Burma
Went to one Mingun Sayadaw, who presumably had studied meditation under Thee Gon Sayadaw, and asked for guidance.
Was told to study Sattipattha (from the Scriptures) deeply and then practice meditation
Prominent disciples : Mahasi Sayadaw and Taung Pulu Sayadaw
TMC (Tathagata Meditation Center) has published a book about Sayadaw.

U Vicittasarabhivamsa (GBNF) was listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for his phenomenal memory.
When Burma hosted the Sixth Buddhist Council at Kaba Aye Pagoda in 1954 – 56 to commemorate the 2500th year of the “Sasana Calendar“, Sayadaw acted as the “Reciter” of the Tipitaka (Triple Basket : Vinaya, Sutta, and Abhidhamma) and the selected Commentaries.
According to the Kaba Aye Edition, the Tipitaka covers 8000+ pages.
Vinaya : Monastic rules of conduct
Sutta : Discourses
Abhidhamma : Ultimate Reality
Sayadaw could recall all and provide exposition.
To prepare for the Buddhist Council, Sir U Thwin requested Mingun Sayadaw to take the Tipitaka examination.
Sayadaw passed the Oral and Written tests for the Three Baskets with Distinction.
Oral tests will fail a candidate if he needs five (or six) prompts. Sayadaw did not need a single prompt.
Written tests cover in-depth topics.
During the recitation, Sayadaw amazed the examiners by pointing out the variations of the text and highlighted the preferred version.
First Sayadaw to be conferred “Guardian / Bearer of the Tipitaka & Treasurer of the Dhamma“.
When Sayadaw received requisites, he gave them to the monks (in the town where he received them).
To support the monks studying for the later Tipitaka examinations, Sayadaw set up a monastery in Mingun and accepted monks who had finished Dhammacariya.