Suttantaprija Ind

Lok Oknha Suttantaprija Ind (1859-1924) was a Cambodian monk, writer and was also a very famous poet. His many poetry works, often described about life and events during his time, superceded the works of many Cambodian poets. Only two other poets, Krom Ngoy and Santhor Mok, superceded his calibre. His royal title, Oknha or Lord in English, was bestowed upon him by the King of Cambodia due to his extensive works in helping to preserve Khmer literature, his writings and his poetry skills.

His Education

He was Mr. Bongchong Keo’s son. He was born in Rokar Korng Village, Tonle Thom commune, Muk Kampoul district, Kandal Province on Monday 22, July 1859. He studied Khmer literature when he was 10. When he was 15, he translated Prash Bakriyath and then became a monk at Wat Pri Po for one year. He then went to study with Lok Archa Peach in Prash Tropang. When he was 18, he studied with Buddhist Professor Brak at Wat UnaLom in Phnom Penh. When he was 19, he studied with Lok Archa Sok at Wat Keo, Battambang. He became a monk again when he was 20 at Wat Keo for one year. Then, he went to study in Bangkok, Thailand.

After 7 years in Thailand, he came back to Cambodia during the time of Lok Prash Yakatha Choun Gnogn and stayed at Wat Kandal, Battambang for 10 years. He then married Lok Yay Tuet from Chomka Somroung Village, Battambang and lived in Chvia Thom Village, Battambang. Lok Prash Yakatha Choun Gnogn gave him the title of Khon Vichit Voha and then as Hlung Vichit Voha. He wrote and translated Pali to Khmer for 44 different titles. After Lok Prash Yakatha Choun Gnogn left Battambang, he went to work in Phnom Penh for 10 years (1914 to 1924). When he was 55, he was promoted to be Lok Oknha Suttantaprija. He helped create the Khmer Buddhist Dictionary at the Pali School. Between the age of 55 and 65, he came back and spent the rest of his life with his family in Battambang. He died at 8:00 am on November 8, 1924. It was said he died of coughing disease.

His Writings and His Poetry

His work includes Katilok series, Nirasnatavat, Hombang back, Backthom Sompoth, Loknitbakor, Sopearseth Chbap Srey, and many poems. Some of his work such as Katilok and Chombang Takoa were written to reflect the Khmer culture and ways of living during Lok Prash Yakatha Choun Gnogn's time. At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, Lok Oknha Suttantaprija Ind was very well-known in Battambang Province. Everybody called him Lok Archa Ind and they admired his work and respected him for his contributions to the society. Before there were books published in Battambang, people borrowed his books and hand copied. They circulated the hand copied books from one to another to read and study. Some people memorized his poems for the whole books by heart. He also worked with a French Catholic Missionary, Tong Da and created a French – Khmer dictionary name Dictionary Tong Da.

According Ind Lone – his daughter, there were a lot of books were collected by French government right after he died. So, there might be other work that was never published and took away by French. She also said, he was invited by people to talk about Darma and tell stories when there was a ceremony or event such as a wedding, open house, etc. He would come back home with a lot of money and he would always liked to give his money away to his grandchildren. He would lay flat on his stomach writing at night.

Family

He had 5 children - Ind Son (son- dead), Ind San (daughter - dead), Ind Ly (daughter - dead), Ind Lone (daughter - dead) and Ind Yueon (daughter - dead). At the time of writing this biography (11/09/2007) there is only one grand child - Ind Yueon's daughter who still lives in Chvia Village, Sangke District - Battambang. He still has many great grand children. Some of them live in Cambodia, some live in France, some live in USA and others live in other countries.

Epilogue

Oknha Suttantaprija Ind was born and destined to be a scholar and a writer. He had left many scholarly and literary works which rivalled that of the great writers from the West. But his works, which were masterpieces, often left forgotten and writers these days, when quoted his works, rarely attributted it to him. His legacies, if preserved, will serve as a great inspiration to the writers of our contemporary generation. If left forgotten, will be a sorry legacy and lost forever as was happened with the many works of our past great writers.

External links

List of Publications from WorldCat L'OKNHA Suttantaprija ind http://khmerization.blogspot.com/2008/01/lok-oknha-suttantaprija-ind-1859-1924.html http://khmerization.blogspot.com/2008/01/biography-of-krom-ngoy-father-of-khmer.html