One only gets to hear Sayadaw recite the scriptures when he goes outside to a meal offering. At the center, you won't hear him recite scriptures. Not at the time of the vâssa (rainy season) robe offering, nor at the kathina robe material offering, will you hear the sound of scriptures being recited. I can't say whether he recites them in his head so we all won't know. I've not seen him forgetting the verses or mixing them up at outside meal offerings and such. I can't say whether it's just due to his intelligence, or whether he practices in his head at the center, too. If he does not practice in his head at all, then one would have to recognize that he is indeed bright.

Once while we were chanting prayers to the Buddha, he told us to recite the Patthana Piccaya Niddesa in addition to the regular routine laid down by the Mahasi Sayadaw. He only told us to recite the Patthana Piccaya Niddesa that once, so I remember it particularly.

Though Sayadaw doesn't recite the scriptures and such, he does seem to make it his responsibility to go through the Pâli canon, the  Commentary, and the Sub-Commentary on a regular annual basis. He would have his students, as well, take it as a responsibility to go through them on a regular annual basis. The saying, "One who learns by heart the Tipitaka (the three baskets of the Pâli Canon) is called 'one who meets the Buddha'," was coined by the Abhidhajamahâra?þguru Ma So Yein Sayadaw U Suriyâbhivamsa.

To put it in the Ma So Yein Sayadaw's words, Sayadaw wants his students to meet the Buddha every year. Then, in studying the words of the Buddha, one's faith grows stronger.

The Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw said of his experience, "Living in Pekhukku, and reading the Canon, the Commentaries, and the Sub-Commentaries, my faith was really brought to life. Aside from that, my knowledge was increased. Because I did not carelessly forsake this knowledge, this life as a son of the Buddha was not relinquished. It is because of that faith and that wisdom that I am able to write literature as I am for the Sâsana."

On can see that Sayadaw wants his students to study the literature of the Tipitaka and increase their faith and knowledge, in accord with the words of the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw. It seems that he wants them to strive with this strengthened faith and knowledge to lead lives as children of the Buddha and to work for the Sâsana.

There's another one the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw once said, "My devotees say to me, 'Sayadaw, without really having to deal with the world of lay people, how do you know so much about householders?'

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