Biography Myanmar Christian Writers

Din, U Thar

(b. Laung-gyi, Burma, 24 Sep 1871; d. Yangon, 23 Dec 1955). Buddhist convert who became a renowned Christian evangelist, scholar, and theological educator in Myanmar.

The son of U Tha Maung and Daw Hnin Khaing, U Tha Din converted from Buddhism and was baptized in 1892. He graduated from the Burmese Baptist Seminary two years later and eventually served as its principal for 43 years until his retirement in 1940. He was referred to as Prome Tha U Tha Din to distinguish him from his well-known namesake and contemporary, Mandalay Tha U Tha Din. He traveled widely, even as a student, to proclaim the Gospel, especially to Buddhists, who reacted with hostility. He pioneered the Myanmar Baptist Churches Union, with his namesake as chief evangelist, and also the Myanmar Ministers Assocition to promote unity and cooperation.

Two of his many books are still used as references today. Boddhaw-wada thin kaypa kyan (Comparative Study of Buddhist and Christian Scriptures) and Kyanoke ee ko-dwe (Short Evangelistic Sermons). Some of his blunt apologetics aganst Buddhism were progious tensions. On 22 Mar 1954, he was awarded an honorary D.D. degree by St. Andres University College, London. He and his wife, Daw Khin Lay, raised four distinguished children: U Hla Bu, the eldest, was an educator; the second, Sein Maung, a medical doctor and director of Burma Pharmaceutical Industries: U Khin Maung a court prosecution officer; and the youngest , daughter Daw Mya Su, married the chief engineer of Burma Railways. U Thar Din's devotion, literary knowledge, and sanctified life made him a unique leader for the churches in Myanmar.

Bibliography. U Tha Din, My Life (in Burmese) 1956
KYAW NYUNT