Ottama

• Honorific Prefix — Sayadaw U • Native Name — ဆရာတော် ဦးဥတ္တမ • Dharma Name — Uttama • Birth Name — Paw Tun Aung • Born — 28 December 1879 1st waning of Pyatho 1241 ME • Birthplace — Rupa Village, Sittwe District, Arakan Division, British Burma • Died — 9 September 1939 11th waning of Wagaung 1301 ME • Place of death — Yangon, Pegu Division, British Burma • Religion — Buddhism • School — Theravada • Title — Saradaw • Location — Shwezedi Monastery, Sittwe • Occupation — Buddhist monk

He was born Paw Tun Aung, son of U Mra and Daw Aung Kwa Pyu, in Rupa, Sittwe District, in western Burma on 28 December 1879. Paw Tun Aung assumed the religious name Ottama when he entered the Buddhist monkhood.

Ashin Ottama studied in Calcutta for three years. He then travelled around India, and to France and Egypt. In January 1907, he went to Japan, where he taught Pali and Sanskrit at the Academy of Buddhist Science in Tokyo. He then travelled to Korea, Manchuria, Port Arthur, China, Annam, Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India. In Saigon, he met with an exiled former Burmese prince, Myin Kun (who led a rebellion along with Prince Myin Khondaing in 1866 and assassinated the heir to the Burmese Crown, Crown Prince Kanaung).

Upon his return to British Burma, U Ottama started his political activities, toured the country, lecturing for the Young Men's Buddhist Association and giving anti-colonial speeches. In 1921, he was arrested for his infamous "Craddock, Get Out!" speech against the Craddock Scheme by Sir Reginald Craddock, then Governor of British Burma. Repeatedly imprisoned on charges of sedition, he carried on. Ottama was one of the first monks to enter the political arena and the first person in British Burma to be imprisoned as a result of making a political speech, followed by a long line of nationalists such as Aung San and U Nu. Inspired by Gandhian principles, U Ottama advocated nonviolent resistance, promoting peaceful protests, boycotts of British goods, and a revival of indigenous values and self-reliance. He framed his opposition to colonial rule through Buddhist ethics, creating a compelling message that strongly resonated with the Burmese people. According to academics; between 1921 and 1927, U Ottama spent more time in prison than outside. While Ashin Ottama did not hold any post in any organization, he encouraged and participated in many peaceful demonstrations and strikes against British rule. An admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, he did not advocate the use of violence. He represented the Indian National Congress at the funeral of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in June 1929. The only time he held a post was as leader of the All India Hindu Mahasabhas in 1935.

U Ottama died in Rangoon Hospital on 9 September 1939.

Ottama is recorded as monk, politician, writer, human rights defender and cleric.