U Lokanatha

• It amazes us that books (and even a book chapter) can change a person’s life.

• Salvatore Cioffi was working as a Chemist in the USA.
• He was from a devout Catholic family, and his elder brother was a Priest.
• He received a book present from his supervisor for Christmas.
• One of the chapters was “Dhammapada“.
  After reading the chapter, Samvegha crept in.
  He quit his job and then went on pilgrimage to the places sacred to Buddhism.
  
• In 1925, he was ordained in Burma as a Buddhist monk named “U Lokanatha“.

• He published a booklet, “Why I became a Buddhist.”
  He wrote, “I became a Buddhist. My supervisor remained a Christian.”

• My maternal grand mother offered a monastery for U Lokanatha in Bawdigone (Windermere, Rangoon).
  
• U Lokanatha practiced Dhutanga.
• He also preached and had Dhamma Dhuta missions to India and Ceylon
  
• Sayadaw gave dhamma talks in Mandalay and Maymyo.
  Dr. Soni was a principal supporter.
  
• He paid respect to Myingyan Sun Lun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw.
  The event is described in “Sun Lun Sayadaw’s Biography“.
  
• He corresponded with B. R. Ambedkar, the Indian Dalit (“untouchables”) leader.

• Sayadaw passed away in Maymyo on May 25, 1966.