Lok Oknha Suttantaprija Ind (លោកឧកញ៉ាសត្តប្រីជា)(1859-1924) was a highly venerated Cambodian monk, a prolific writer and was also a very famous poet of high calibre. His writings and poetry, often described about Khmer life during his time, superseded his other scholarly contemporary colleagues. Only other two Cambodian poets, Krom Ngoy and Santhor Mok, superseded his fame but their works were on the same par with his. Due to his service to Khmer literature, Buddhist teachings and his poetry skills, the Khmer King had honoured him with the royal title of Oknha, or Lord in English.
His Family
Oknha Suttantaprija Ind(1859-1924) was the son of Mr. Bongchong Keo. He was born in Rokar Korng Village, Tonle Thom commune, Muk Kampoul district, Kandal Province on Monday 22, July 1859.
He had 5 children -a son named Ind Son , a daughter named Ind San , a daughter named Ind Ly, a daughter named Ind Lone and a daughter named Ind Yoeun. All of his children did not survive to this present day . At the time of writing this biography (11/09/2007) there is only one grand child - Ind Yoeun's daughter- who was the only known surviving relative. She now still lives in Chvia Village, Songke District - Battambang.
Oknha Suttantaprija Ind still has many great-grand children. Some of them live in Cambodia, some live in France, some live in the USA and others live in other countries.
He had 5 children -a son named Ind Son , a daughter named Ind San , a daughter named Ind Ly, a daughter named Ind Lone and a daughter named Ind Yoeun. All of his children did not survive to this present day . At the time of writing this biography (11/09/2007) there is only one grand child - Ind Yoeun's daughter- who was the only known surviving relative. She now still lives in Chvia Village, Songke District - Battambang.
Oknha Suttantaprija Ind still has many great-grand children. Some of them live in Cambodia, some live in France, some live in the USA and others live in other countries.
His Education
Oknha Suttantaprija Ind began to study Khmer literature when he was 10 years old. When he was 15, he translated Prash Barkiest(ព្រះបរិយត) a book on Buddhism, and then became a monk at Wat Pri Po for one year. He then went to study with Lok Archa Peach in Preah Tropang, (Kampuchea Krom?). When he was 18, he studied literature and Buddhism with a Buddhist Professor named Prak at Wat Unnalom in (the headquarter of the Cambodian Buddhist Patriarch) Phnom Penh. And when he was 19, he studied religious texts with another Buddhist scholar named Achar Sok at Wat Keo, Battambang (Achar meaning a ‘learned man‘). He became a monk again when he was 20 at Wat Keo for one year. Then, he went to study in Bangkok, Thailand.
Oknha Suttantaprija Ind began to study Khmer literature when he was 10 years old. When he was 15, he translated Prash Barkiest(ព្រះបរិយត) a book on Buddhism, and then became a monk at Wat Pri Po for one year. He then went to study with Lok Archa Peach in Preah Tropang, (Kampuchea Krom?). When he was 18, he studied literature and Buddhism with a Buddhist Professor named Prak at Wat Unnalom in (the headquarter of the Cambodian Buddhist Patriarch) Phnom Penh. And when he was 19, he studied religious texts with another Buddhist scholar named Achar Sok at Wat Keo, Battambang (Achar meaning a ‘learned man‘). He became a monk again when he was 20 at Wat Keo for one year. Then, he went to study in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Royal Title
After 7 years of studies in Thailand, he returned to Cambodia during the time of Lok Preah Yeakathachon Nhonh (លោកព្រះយកថា ញ៉ុញ)(‘Nhonh the lord protector of the people‘ who was the lord governor of Battambang before the Thai returned Battambang to Cambodia in 1907) and stayed at Wat Kandal, Battambang for 10 years. He then married Lok Yeay Tuet from Chomka Somrong Village, Battambang and lived in Chvia Thom Village in Battambang province thereafter. Lok Nhonh bestowed upon him the title of Khon Vichit Voha (In Thai it means ‘he who is a fine orator) and then as Hlung Vichit Voha (In Thai it means ‘a fine royal orator). He wrote and translated Pali into Khmer for 44 different titles. After Lok Preah Yeakathachon Nhonh left Battambang for Thailand when Thailand returned Battambang province to Cambodia in 1907, he went to work in Phnom Penh for 10 years (1914 to 1924). When he was 55, he was presented a royal title of Lok Oknha Suttantaprija ( a scholarly lord). He helped to 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. He was said to have died of coughing disease.
His Literary Works
His works include Katilok (គតិលោក)series, Nirasnatavat(និរាសនតរវត), Ombaeng (អំបែងអំបែក)Ombaek, Backthom Somphoth(បឋម សម្ពោធ) , Loknitbakor(លោកនិតិបករណ៏), Sophearseth Chbap Srey(សុភាសិតច្បាប់ស្រី) and many poems. Some of his works such as Katilok and Chombang Takoa (ចម្បាំង តាកែ) (were written to reflect the Khmer culture and ways of living during the time of Lok Preah Yeakathachon Nhonh. 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 Achar Ind and they admired his works 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 person 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 named Tong Da and created a French – Khmer dictionary titled Dictionary Tong Da. According his daughter, Ind Lone, there were numerous books which were collected by the French colonial authority right after his death. It was assumed that there might be other works that were never published and were taken away by the French authority. She also said, he was often invited by the people to talk about Dharma and tell stories when they organised a ceremony or events such as a wedding, house blessings, etc. People would pay him generously for his service. She said that he was very generous with his children and always give his money away to his grandchildren. Every night he would lay flat on his stomach and write until the morning.
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.
This biography of Oknha Suttantaprija Ind was largely adopted from an article posted in Angkorthom.us. Most credits should go to Angkorthom.us.
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