Some Buddhist Monks

by Hla Min

Update : July 2025

U Lokanatha (Italian Buddhist Monk)

A book changed his life

• Mr. Salvitore was working as a Chemist in the USA.
• Received a book as Christmas present from his supervisor. A chapter was “Dhammapada”.
  After reading it, Samvega (sense of urgency) crept in.
• Quit his job. Left for Burma to be ordained as a Buddhist monk. Became “U Lokanatha”.
• Wrote “I became a Buddhist. My supervisor remained a Christian.”
• Was from a devout Catholic family. Elder brother was a Priest.
• My paternal grand mother offered a monastery for U Lokanatha in Bawdigone (Windermere), Rangoon.
• Practiced Dhutanga. Preached & took Dhamma Dhuta missions to India and Ceylon.
• Passed away in Maymyo in 1966.

Ashin Ananda

(Latvian monk)

Fled Communist Rule

• Rev. Friedrich V. Lustig’s mentor was the Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia and Lithuania. When the Communists invaded their country, they sought refuge in Burma. The government provided them a monastery in the “Ah Le Pyit Sa Yan” of Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

Moke Seit

• Known as “Moke Seit Phone Gyi” for his beard. Came for alms to our parent’s house in Windermere Road.
• After his mentor’s demise, he became Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia & Lithuania.

Ashin Ananda

• Shaved his beard
• Ordained as a Theravada monk with the title “Ashin Ananda”
• Laureate Poet & Translator.
  Wrote poems in English.
  Translated selected Burmese poems into English.
• In July 1969, he gave my poem “Men on the Moon” to Mr. Hall (USIS) to be forwarded to Apollo 11 astronauts. Gave a copy to the Guardian newspaper for publication.

U Thilawuntha (Mon Sayadaw)

Built pagodas worldwide

• Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Sayadaw U Thilawunta (fondly known as “Mon Sayadaw”) built pagodas in Burma/Myanmar, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and several other countries.
• In the ’50s, Sayadaw visited the United Nations and U Thant. He built the first Burmese pagoda in the Allegheny mountains near New York.

• During his visit to California, Sayadaw would spend time with his devotees such as Russell Wolfe (Santa Cruz) and U Aung Myint (Donald, Milpitas).

Sayadaw U Zeya

Monastery in Las Vegas

• Las Vegas has some monasteries including Thai monasteries supported by members of the Royal Family.
• Sayadaw resided at a Thai monastery and rose up in the ranks. Gave dhamma talks in Thai, English & Burmese.
  Several devotees offered him a monastery.
• In May 2013, several dhamma friends in the Bay Area rented a van to attend “Htee Tin Pwe” of the pagoda inside U Zeya’s monastery compound.
• Donated for two Nagas at the Las Vegas Monastery in memory of our parents and in-laws.

Engineers & Architects

Dr. Lwin Aung (A59)

• Entered monk-hood after retirement
• Was Professor of Architecture and Pro-Rector of YTU
• Volunteered as a Consulting Architect for the construction of dhamma buildings
• Due to health, he left monk-hood after several vassa.

U Bo Gyi (A59)

• Founded “Architect Incorporated” with U Tin Htoon (A60) & U Aung Kyee Myint (A60)
• Later joined PWD along with his partners
• Designed Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi, and was shunned by the higher authorities.
• Hobbies : music (piano) and modeling (sculpture)
• He is now GBNF.

U Han Nyo (Met60)

• He helped conduct meditation retreats in Southern California and Mexico.

U Myo Tun (A69)

• Ashin Pannagavesaka
• Won prizes for essays under the name “Errol Than Tun”
• Made dhamma duta mission to Vietnam
• Was Dhamma Librarian for Moulmein Pa Auk Tawya Monastery
• Edited Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books
• Taught English to Dhammacariya Sayadaws

U Aung Chaw (C69, SPHS63)

• Ashin Ukkamsa
• Resided in Sagaing
• Later moved to the Irrawaddy Delta region
• Met him in 2018 when he came to Yangon. Attended some breakfast gatherings by the 69ers. Kyaw Win (SPHS63) offered soon to Sayadaw at Shwe Ba Htamin Saing, and also offered Nawakamma.

U Wara (Win Paing, ChE70, SPHS64)

• Younger brother of Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
• Entered monkhood after the Final Year ChE exam
• Chief Resident Sayadaw, KabaAye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung
• Was Taik Oke Sayadaw for Sayadaw U Vinaya
• He is now GBNF

U Jotika (EE73)

• Prolific writer and an outstanding Dhamma Lecturer
• Spent vasa at Taung Pu Lu Kaba Aye monastery in Boulder Creek
• Revisited US about a decade ago
• Frequently visited Singapore and other neighboring countries

Ashin Pannobhasa (M91)

• Met him in SF Bay Area with his mentor (Sayadaw from Myanmar).
• Born in April 1966 Thursday (2nd Waning day of Kason 1328 BE) in Pyapon, Irrawaddy Division.
• After finishing his Mechanical Engineering degree from Yangon (Rangoon) Institute of Technology he received higher ordination as a Bhikkhu or a monk at the age of 24 in the Ordination Hall, Pyapon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha under the preceptor of Venerable U Vannita, Pyapon Mahasi Sayadaw, Pyapon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha on 27th July 1991.
• Chief Resident Monk at a monastery in Seattle, Washington