The Mon Mon Language and Literature Course, organized by the All Mon Literature and Culture Committee, will start on June 18 at the Rāmanññarattha  Buddhist University in Mawlamyine.

Mon calligrapher Nai Bashin, will lead the training for four hours a day for three weeks, said Sayadaw Bhaddada Thilawantha, a member of the Mon Literature and Culture Committee of the All Mon State.

“The course can be attended by both monks and nuns. All interested people are invited. I want them to know the profound history of the Mon people and to help people learn how to read Mon inscriptions,” said Sayadaw.

More than 100 trainees, including monks and nuns, have already registered to attend the training.

Mi Ka Arswan from Chaungzon, who is interested in the Mon calligraphy course, said, “ I have completed all six subjects of Mon history, but I still want to study Mon literature. I want to be able to read the inscriptions on the pagodas.”

The training is expected to cost about 300,000 kyats per day, which covers the living expenses and meals of trainees.  The government has been asked for funding but organizers have not yet received a reply.

In addition, the Mon Literature and Culture Committee intends to publish a Mon language book at the end of the course, which will be taught as a subject in a summer Mon literature course.

Three Shwedagon inscriptions carved by Mon calligraphers, Ten Kalyani inscriptions, King Kyan Sittha and Dhamma pagoda inscriptions were placed in 2,500 Mon religious sites in 2020.