| He was born in kamawet
village, Mudon township, Mon State. Union of Myanmar, on January 13, 1934.
His parents were U Yaw In and
Daw Sein Tan who were devout Buddhists. They belonged to the Mon race and made
their living by farming.
Mehm Tin Mon attended Kamawet
Primary School and Mudon State High School where he topped his class every
year.
He passed the High School
Leaving Examination in 1951 with distinctions in Mathematics and General
Science. He also passed the Matriculation Examination in the same year from the
first division with distinction in Mathematics.
He joined the University of
Yangon in 1951. In the Intermediate Examination held in 1953, he scored the
highest marks in Mathematics and Chemistry, and he was awarded the University
Hoe Wah Kain Gold Medal as well as the University Scholarship.
In the Bachelor of Science
Examination held in 1955, he stood first with distinctions in Physics,
Chemistry and Pure Mathematics. Again he was awarded a University gold medal
called Esoof Bimiah Gold Medal.
In 1956 he passed the B.Sc.
Honours Examination in Chemisry with flying colours and a third Universit gold
medal called U Shwe Lay Gold Medal was awarded to him.
In 1957 he went to the United
States of America to study at the University of Illinois on a State Scholarship
sponsored by the Government of the Union of Myanmar. Here also he was awarded
the University Fellowship for two consecutive years for his outstanding
scholastic record. He gained the Master of Science Degree in1958 and the
Doctorate Degree in 1960. He also won membership to Phi Lambaa Upsilon Society
and Sigma Xi Society.
He served his country for
more than 36 years from 1956 to 1992 working as Lecturer and Head of Department
of Chemistry in several Institutes and finally as Professor of Chemistry in the
University of Mawlamyine (Moulmein). He retired from Professorship on December
1, 1992.
During his service to the
State, he headed the Buddhist Association of the Institute of Medicine (I), the
Buddhist Association of the Institute of Education and the Buddhist Association
of Mawlamyine University. He also served as Secretary and later as President of
the Central Buddhist Association of Universities and Institutes in Yangon from
1983 to 1986. He succeeded in raising funds and building the beautiful
two-storeyed Dhammayone (Community Hall for religious purposes) and the sacred
Shrine (Pagoda) in the University of Mawlamyine.
Dr. Tin Mon also excelled in
religious examinations. He stood first in the Abhidhamma Examination (Ordinary
Level) in 1981. He also stood first in the Abhidhamma Examination (Honours
Level) in 1983. Again in 1984 he stood first in the Visuddhi Magga Examination.
These examinations are held annually in Myanmar by the Department of Religious
Affairs.
Dr. Tin Mon has written over
thirty books on education as well as on Buddhism. He travelled throughout
Myanmar deliverng lectures on Buddhism and conducting short intensive classes
of Abhidhamma. He was awarded the title of Saddhamma Jotakadhaja by the Government of
the Union of Myanfliat in 1994 for his outstanding contribution to the
propagation of Buddhism.
Dr. Tin Mon was appointed as
an Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs on August 1, 1993, and he has
been serving the State in this capacity ever since.
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