Thathanabaing
Thathanabaing, is the Burmese term for a head of a religious order. The title was historically used for the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhist Clergy in Burma until 1938. It is still used in Myanmar as the title for the heads of sects in Myanmar|sects] in Theravāda Buddhism, and the episcopal ordinaries in Anglican Christianity and Catholic Christianity, as well as for the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism from other countries.
Etymology
Thathanabaing in Burmese, သာသနာပိုင် , is the native Burmese rendition of Sangharaja, or formally Mahāsaṃgharājā, which is typically rendered into English as 'Primate', 'Archbishop' or 'Supreme Patriarch.'The term "Saṃgharājā" was popularly used from the 1300s to 1400s, but lost currency in subsequent centuries. By the Konbaung dynasty, Thathanabaing and Thathanapyu were frequently used. But both the Samgharaja and Thathanabaing were used in the official title of the supreme patriarch, Mahāsaṃgharājā Thathanabaing Sayadaw.
Nowadays, the term Thathanabaing is still used for the head of a religious order. Each of the nine legally sanctioned monastic sects has a Thathanabaing who is also called a Gaṇādhipati in Burmese Pali. The sects often use their names with the word Thathana in Burmese to refer to the whole sect or regional subordinate bodies.
Incumbent
History
mention the office of the Sangharaja as old as the Early Pagan kingdom; the chief queen of King Htun Kyit made the Saṅgharājā from Popa leave the monkhood so that he could be crowned as the King Popa Sawrahan.The first monk recorded with the title Thathanabaing is Shin Panthagu who succeeded Shin Arahan as the primate of Pagan kingdom. Burmese Encyclopedia argues that the title might have been used for Shin Arahan before Shin Panthagu. In the same way, British historians recognize a lineage of primates beginning with Shin Arahan.
The Mahāsaṃgharājā Thathanabaing Sayadaw, served as the head of the Buddhist Saṃghā in Burma until 1938 when the Thathanabaing Taunggwin Sayadaw died and the Thudhamma, the only remaining group under his authority decided not to elect a new one. The Thathanabaing was responsible for managing the monastic hierarchy and education at monasteries. The Thathanabaing resided in a royal monastery near the kingdom's capital. However, appointees were usually commoners born in the villages, with no blood relationship with the royal house. Their appointments were made on the basis of their mastery of Buddhist knowledge and literature.
Konbaung dynasty
The office, in its last incarnation, was established by King Bodawpaya in 1784, after the constitution of the Sudhamma Council, a council of four elder monks, of which the Thathanabaing was its head. Subsequent monarchs expanded the council, which varied from 8 to 12 members called sadaw. Council members were appointed by the king and styled Dazeitya Sayadaw.The Thathanabaing was appointed by the king and granted supreme authority with regard to religious doctrine and ecclesiastical administration. The Thathanapaing was responsible for the kingdom's religious affairs, including appointment of monastery abbots, monk orders according to the Vinaya, management of breaches of discipline, preparation of an annual report of the order, and administration of Pali examinations.
The Thathanabaing was charged with managing the functions of two government officials, the Mahadan Wun, who oversaw the king's charitable functions, ensured monk compliance with the Vinaya, and submitted registers of all active novices and monks, and the Wutmye Wun, who managed the wuttukan-designated religious properties, including donated land and pagodas. The Burmese kingdom was divided into ecclesiastical jurisdictions, each of which was overseen by a gaing-gyok. Underneath each gaing-gyok was a number of gaing-ok, who were in turn assisted by a number of gaing-dauk. Ecclesiastical disputes were settled by the gaing-gyok and decisions for appeal were made by the Sudhamma Council.
Colonial rule
In 1895, soon after the abdication of the country's last king, Thibaw Min, the Taungdaw Sayadaw, then the Thathanapaing of Burma, died. A subsequent election elected the Pakhan Sayadaw as Thathanabaing-elect, although the British refused to acknowledge or recognize his title.In 1903, the lieutenant-governor of British Burma, Hugh Shakespear Barnes, reinstated the title by sanad charter, giving the Thathanapaing nominal authority over internal administration of the Sangha in Upper Burma and over Buddhist ecclesiastical law. The Taunggwin Sayadaw was appointed, but the position was abolished after his death and no successor was ever appointed. The authority of Thathanabaing, which had already been limited only on the Thudhamma Gaing, was carried on by the Maha Nayaka Sayadaws.
Since 1980
The Chairman of the State Samgha Maha Nayaka Committee is the supreme head of Buddhist monks in Myanmar.On May 24, 1980, the Maha Nayaka Committee|State Saṃgha Mahā Nāyaka Committee] was formed as an official agency of the Government of Myanmar, tasked with essentially the same roles and responsibilities as those of the pre-schism Mahāsaṃgharājā Thathanabaing Sayadaw to lead the Saṃgha of all sects and orders. The Chairman of SSMNC also has to serve as the Gaṇādhipati of Thudhamma Gaing.
List of Mahasamgharaja Thathanabaings
Pagan Kingdom
- Shin Arahan
- Panthagu Sayadaw
- Shin Uttarajiva
- Shin Siha Maha Upali
Kingdom of Ava
- Yakhaing Sayadaw
- Amyint Sayadaw
- Padugyi Samgharaja
Konbaung dynasty
- Atula Sayadaw
- Taungdwingyi Sayadaw
- Sayit Sayadaw
- Ashin Thapon
- Hteintabin Sayadaw
- Manle Sayadaw
- Min-o Sayadaw
- Zonta Sayadaw
- Minywa Sayadaw
- Maungdaung Sayadaw
- Salin Sayadaw
- The-in Sayadaw
- Maungdaung Sayadaw
- Bagaya Sayadaw
- Maungdaung Sayadaw
- Taungdaw Sayadaw
British rule
- Moda Sayadaw
- Taunggwin Sayadaw
List of chairmen of the State Samgha Maha Nayaka Committee
- Indācāra : 1980-1993
- Sobhita : 1994-2004
- Kumara : 2004-2010
- Kumārābhivaṃsa : 2010-2024
- Candimābhivaṃsa : 2024–present
List of Ganadhipati Thathanabaings
Shwegyin Sect">Shwegyin Nikaya">Shwegyin Sect
The following are the Sayadaws who have served as the Shwegyin Thathanabaing from the time of King Mindon.| Serial number | Title | Popular name | Monk name | Start of duty | End of duty |
| Pathama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Gaṇasamuṭṭhāpaka | Shwegyin Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Jāgara | 1868 | 1893 |
| Dutiya | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Mahāvisuddhārāma Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Visuddhācāra | 1894 | 1916 |
| Tatiya | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Kyaikkasan Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Uttama | 1916 | 1917 |
| Tatiya | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Dipeyin Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Ñānavara | 1916 | 1927 |
| Catuttha | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Alon Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Tissa | 1917 | 1928 |
| Pañcama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Chanthagyi Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Jalinda | 1929 | 1932 |
| Chaṭṭhama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Hladawgyi Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Rājinda Rādha | 1933 | 1934 |
| Sattama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Kyaiklat Pacchimāyon Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Kolāsa | 1934 | 1949 |
| Aṭṭhama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Kanni Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Kosalla | 1949 | 1950 |
| Navama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Sangin Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Candābhivaṃsa | 1951 | 1972 |
| Dasama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Myaungmya Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Ñānābhivaṃsa | 1973 | 1975 |
| Ekādasama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Kyemyin Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Jotayābhivaṃsa | 1976 | 1989 |
| Dvādasama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Shwehintha Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Panḍitasīri | 1990 | 1995 |
| Terasama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Nyaungshwe Kangyi Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Vimalābhivaṃsa | 1996 | 2003 |
| Cuddasama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Wazo Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Agghiya | 2004 | 2016 |
| Pannarasama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Vijjotāyon Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Vijjota | 2017 | 2021 |
| Soḷasama | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | Sītagū Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Ñāṇissara | 2021 | present |
| - | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | - | - | - | - |
| - | Shwegyin Thathanabaing, Shwegyin Nikāyādhipati Ukkaṭṭha Mahā Nāyaka Dhammasenāpati | - | - | - | - |
Mahādvāra Sect">Mahādvāra Nikāya">Mahādvāra Sect
The following are the Sayadaws who have served as Mahādvāra Sect Thathanabaing.| Serial number | Title | Popular name | Monk name | Start of duty | End of duty |
| Pathama | Gaṇādhipati, Gaṇasamuṭṭhāpaka, Ādikammika Puggalavisesa, Dvāra Thathanabaing | Okpho Sayadaw | Ukkaṃvaṃsamālā | 1852 | 1905 |
| Dutiya | Thathanabaing, Dhammavaṃsasenāpati Gaṇissara Mahā Nāyaka Guru, Saṃghadattiya | Hinthada Town, Yangon Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Sīrimālā | 1918 | 1921 |
| Tatiya | Thathanabaing, Mahā Nāyaka Guru | Zalun Town, Mahānāgavaṃsa Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Sīricandā | 1922 | 1935 |
| Catuttha | Thathanabaing, Gaṇissara Mahā Nāyaka Guru | Hinthada Town, Ledi Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Sīrirājinda | 1936 | 1941 |
| Pañcama | Thathanabaing, Mahā Dhammasenāpati Gaṇādhigaṇa Guru | Hinthada Town, Phayagyi Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Cārindāsabha | 1942 | 1956 |
| Caṭṭhama | Thathanabaing, Dhammasenāpati Mahā Nāyaka Guru | Hinthada Town, Yedagun Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Sīrikelāvaṃsa | 1956 | 1962 |
| Sattama | Thathanabaing, Dhammasenāpati Mahā Nāyaka Guru | Hinthada Town, Yedagun Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Candasīri | 1962 | 1972 |
| Aṭṭhama | Thathanabaing, Dhammasenāpati Mahā Nāyaka Guru | Hinthada Town, Thabyebin Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Sobana | 1972 | 1977 |
| Navama | Thathanabaing, Dhammasēnāpati Mahā Nāyaka Guru, Saṃghadattiya | Yangon Division, Sanchaung Township, Linlunbin Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Vāsudeva | 1972 |
Mūladvāra Sect">Mūladvāra Nikāya">Mūladvāra Sect
The following are the Sayadaws who have served as Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka Thathanabaing.| Serial number | Title | Popular name | Monk name | Start of duty | End of duty |
| Pathama | Gaṇādhipati, Gaṇasamuṭṭhāpaka, Ādikammika Puggalavisesa, Dvāra Thathanabaing | Okpho Sayadaw | Ukkaṃvaṃsamālā | 1852 | 1905 |
| Dutiya | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | Latpadan Town, Mahābodhivan Sayadaw | |||
| Tatiya | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | Pathein Town, Migadhāvun Sayadaw | |||
| Catuttha | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | Hteindaw Town, Ywama Kyaung Sayadaw | |||
| Pañcama | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | Ingapu Town, Ingapu Kyaung Sayadaw | |||
| Caṭṭhama | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | Pantaung Sayadaw | |||
| Caṭṭhama | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | 4 other sayadaws | |||
| Sattama | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | Pyay Town, Kandwin Sayadaw | |||
| Sattama | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | 9 other sayadaws, including, Ingapu Town, Dhammasukha Sayadaw | |||
| Aṭṭhama | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | Hinthada Town, Chanthagyi Kyaung Sayadaw | |||
| Aṭṭhama | Mūladvāra Thathanabaing, Mūladvāra Mahā Nāyaka | 15 other sayadaws |
Anaukchaung Dvāra">Anaukchaung Dvāra Gaing">Anaukchaung Dvāra Sect
The following are the Sayadaws who have served as Nāyaka the head of sect.| Serial number | Title | Popular name | Monk name | Start of duty | End of duty |
| Six Anaukchaung Dvāra Sayadaws | Yegyi Myoyo Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Kesara | |||
| Six Anaukchaung Dvāra Sayadaws | Gwinlya Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Silvaṃsa | |||
| Six Anaukchaung Dvāra Sayadaws | Ngatheinchaung Town, Kyagyi Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Kalyāṇa | |||
| Six Anaukchaung Dvāra Sayadaws | Mezali Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Dhammacārī | |||
| Six Anaukchaung Dvāra Sayadaws | Athote Town, Dakkhiṇāyon Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Nandiya | |||
| Six Anaukchaung Dvāra Sayadaws | Kyaukchaung Village, Shweyaungbya Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Nandimā | |||
| Head of Sect, Nāyaka | Ayeyarwady Division, Yegyi Township, Ngathaingchaung Town, Phayagyi Taik Sayadaw | Bhaddanta Dhammavaṃsa |
Veḷuvan Sect">Veḷuvan Nikāya">Veḷuvan Sect
The following are the Sayadaws who have served as Veḷuvan Sammutti Thathanabaing.| Serial number | Title | Popular name | Monk name | Start of duty | End of duty |
| Pathama | Leading Chairman, Padhāna Mahā Nāyakādhipati | Kyaikto Town, Phayagyi Kyaungtaikp Sayadaw | Baddhanta Visuddha | 1919 | |
| Dutiya | Veḷuvan Gaṇāsammuṭṭhāpaka, Veḷuvan Nikāya Mahā Nāyakādhipati | Veḷuvan Sayadaw | Baddhanta Paṇḍavaṃsa | 1940 | |
| Tutiya | Mahā Nāyakādhipati | Thaton Town, Candāyon Sayadaw | Baddhanta Āciṇṇa | 1953 | |
| Catuttha | Mahā Nāyakādhipati | Pathein Town, Veḷuvan Sayadaw | Baddhanta Sāgara | 1963 | |
| Pañcama | Nāyakādhipati | Pyay Town, Pwint Hla Thein Gon Kyaungtaik Sayadaw | Baddhanta Tikkha | 1969 | |
| Chaṭṭhama | Mahā Nāyakādhipati, Veḷuvan Sammutti Thathanabaing | Mon State, Chaungzon Township, Mayan Village, Sanchaung Taik Sayadaw | Baddhanta Vimalācara | 1980 |
Hngettwin Sect">Hngettwin Gaing">Hngettwin Sect
The following are the Sayadaws who have served as the Gaṇādhipati of the Catubhummika Mahāsatipaṭṭhān Hngettwin Sect.| Serial number | Title | Popular name | Monk name | Start of duty | End of duty |
| Pathama | Hngettwin Sayadaw | Baddhanta Paṇḍava | 1888 | 1910 | |
| Dutiya | Gaṇādhipati | Kungyangon Sayadaw | Baddhanta Jotābhidhaja | 1910 | |
| Dutiya | Gaṇādhipati | Nanyaw Sayadaw | Baddhanta Jāgara | 1969 | |
| Catuttha | Gaṇādhipati | Zidaw Sayadaw | Baddhanta Āsabha | 1969 |
Mahāyin Sect">Dhammayuttika Nikaya#In Myanmar">Mahāyin Sect
The following are the Sayadaws who have served as the Nikāyādhipati Sammuti Saṃgharājā of the Dhammayutti Nikāya Mahāyi Sect.| Serial number | Title | Popular name | Monk name | Start of duty | End of duty |
| Pathama | Mahāyin Sayadaw | Baddhanta Buddhavaṃsa | |||
| Dutiya | Baddhanta Ñānasīri | ||||
| Tatiya | Baddhanta Moggaliputta | ||||
| Catuttha | Muyitgalay Sayadaw | Baddhanta Nālāgīri | |||
| Pañcama | Baddhanta Mahinda | ||||
| Chaṭṭhama | Winyawzeikgyi Tawya Sayadaw | Baddhanta Jotipāla |