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like a flower, it is said. A teacher of a good student lives happily. Teachers of wise students always live happily. What teacher wouldn't love and depend on a student who is well-trained and knows his wishes? That teachers love, remember and depend on such disciples is simply in accordance with the Dhamma.
When Sayadaw lived at Zipin Monastery in the New Mahâvisuddhayone, he studied the Atthathalinî texts under Pyay Vâranasi Sayadaw. He never seemed to forget this debt. Whenever he had the chance, Sayadaw would repay his benefactor. When Vâranasi Sayadaw fell ill and entered the hospital in Yangon, Sayadaw would go to pay respects and bring him medicines. I myself went along with Sayadaw three times to see Vâranasi Sayadaw. Both teacher and disciple were smiling. Watching the two of them, teacher and disciple, was very gratifying. Vâranasi Sayadaw used to come to the Shwe Taung Gon Sâsana Yeiktha also. Once, when Vâranasi Sayadaw was in the hospital to received treatment, his condition was very bad. He was losing consciousness often. For this reason Sayadaw went to pay respects to him. Sayadaw asked him, "Do you remember me, Bhante?" Vâranasi Sayadaw replied, "How could I ever forget someone as outstanding as you?" Even when Vâranasi Sayadaw was in such a condition, he didn't forget his disciple the Shwe Taung Gon Sâsana Yeiktha Sayadaw.
Sayadaw used to go to Ma So Yein Monastery to study the Pathan under Pathan Sayadaw Ashin Visuddhâbhivamsa. The gates of Ma So Yein Monastery closed at 9 pm. When the gates were closed, Sayadaw had to scale a brick wall in order to get to his lesson. The life of a young study monk is like this. Don't think that getting an education is easy for student monks. There are many difficulties in a student monk's life: food, water, lodging, a place to study, health, education and so on. Only when a student can get over the obstacles the way Sayadaw got over the brick wall of Ma So Yein Monastery can one become accomplished. The difficulties Sayadaw overcame in order to become the learned person he now is were certainly not few in number.
When Sayadaw lived at Kyaikkasan Monastery he studied the Samyutta Nikâya and such texts under U Âdiccavamsa (later known as U Aung Myat Htut). He also went to Paya Kyi Monastery to study, after his classes were over, of course. Sayadaw would put four books in his shoulder bag and go to study, rain or shine. Kyaikkasan Sayadaw arranged for him to get a ticket that allowed him to ride the bus for free. Sayadaw liked the way Sayagyi U Aung Myat Htut taught very much. He was very satisfied with Sayagyi U Aung Myat Htut's expertise in literature (scholarship). Sayadaw wanted to become expert in the same way, so he asked his teacher, "Sayagyi…what should I do to become an expert scholar?"
"Bhante…read the Pâli texts thoroughly. Read them again and again, and form your own opinion again and again. Don't look at the commentaries. Just read the Pâli over and over again. Think about what your own opinion is. When you can't read or think about them any longer, read the Commentary. After you have read the Pâli, formed your own opinion and then thought it over time and again, you will be able to write your own Commentary. When you are reading the Commentary, don't go to the Sub-commentary just yet. Read the Commentary again and again so that you understand
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