Agga Maha Pandita


Aggamahāpaṇḍita is an honorific Burmese Buddhist title conferred by the Myanmar government to distinguished Theravada Buddhist monks.

Etymology

Aggamahāpandiṭa, meaning "foremost great and wise one," is derived from the following Pali terms:

Qualifications

The title is usually awarded to Buddhist monks who are highly proficient in teaching the Dhamma or those who are believed to be enlightened.
The title is awarded annually in January by the head of the Burmese government, following after rigorous and subtle examination of a monk's wisdom and achievement by the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.
Recipients must meet the following qualifications:
  • Possesses the Aggamahāganthavācakapaṇḍita title
  • Has at least 40 years in the monkhood
  • Is an morally upright person
  • Has passed the Dhammācariya examination
  • Expert writer of Pali commentaries and Pali texts
  • Expert teacher of Pali commentaries and Pali texts
  • Serves as an abbot for a monastic college
  • Commands authority and influence among Sangha disciples
  • Free of accusations and disputes

History

Historically, the Buddha had disciples who held title of Aggasāvaka and Mahāsāvaka who were already enlightened Ariyas and regarded as leaders of the communities of monks known as the Sangha.
From 1915 to 1942, the British colonial government conferred the title Aggamahāpaṇḍita to 98 monks. From 1951 through 1953, the Burmese government awarded the Aggamahāpaṇḍita title to 15 monks.

List of recipients