by Hla Min

Updated : Dec 2025

U Lokanatha (ဦးလောကတနာထ) Italian Buddhist Monk

• Mr. Salvitore was working as a Chemist in the USA.
• He a book present from his supervisor for Christmas. A chapter was “Dhammapada”.
  After reading it, Samvega (sense of urgency) crept in.
  He 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 (ဗောဓိကုန်း Windermere), Rangoon.
• Sayadaw practiced Dhutanga (ဓူတင်ဆောင်) .
  Preached & took Dhamma Dhuta (ဓမ္မဒူတ) missions to India and Ceylon.
• Passed away in Maymyo (မေမြို့) in 1966.

Ashin Ananda

(အရှင်အာနန္ဒာ)

Rev. Friedrich Lustig (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 မုတ်ဆိတ်

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

Ashin Ananda

• Shaved his beard and was ordained as a Theravada monk with the title “Ashin Ananda”.
• Laureate Poet and 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

(ဦးသီလဝန္တ)

Mon Sayadaw (မွန်ဆရာတော်)

• Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Sayadaw ဓာတ်ပေါင်းစုံ အောင်မင်းခေါင်ဆရာတော် 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 (ဦးသန်ု). 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).

Las Vegas Sayadaw U Zeya (ဦးဇေယျ)

• Las Vegas has some monasteries including Thai monasteries supported by members of the Royal Family.
• Sayadaw U Zeya resided at a Thai monastery and rose up in the ranks. Gave dhamma talks in Thai, English, and 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 and Architects

Dr. Lwin Aung (A59) ဒေါက်တာလွင်အောင်

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

U Bo Gyi (A59) ဦးဘိုကြီး

• Founded “Architect Incorporated” with U Tin Htoon (A60) and U Aung Kyee Myint (A60)
• Later joined PWD along with his partners
• Designed the 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) ဦးဟန်ညို

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

U Myo Tun (A69) ဦးမျိုးထွန်း

• 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 some of Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books.
• Taught English to Dhammacariya Sayadaws

U Aung Chaw (C69, SPHS63) ဦးအောင်ချော

• 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) ဦးဝရ / ဦးဝင်းပိုင်

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

U Jotika (EE73) ဦးဇောတိက

• 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) ဦးပညောဘာသ

• Met him in SF Bay Area with his mentor (Sayadaw from Myanmar).
• He was 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

Ashin Kusala (ဦးကုသလ) Saya Beatson (SPHS)

Passed away in his 90s

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

by Hla Min

Updated : July 2025

Former Classmates

• Edwin David (SPHS, GBNF)
  served as Priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral.
• Bernard Taylor (SPHS) was a Missionary in Phillipines. Came back to Upper Burma.
• Anthony Lourdes (SPHS) was the third classmate to become a Father (Catholic Priest).
• Aung Chaw (Victor, SPHS63, C69) became Ashin Ukkamsa after retirement. First monastery was in Sagaing Hills. Current monastery is in Thone Gwa, Delta region.

• Phillip Ba Maung (different section of SPHS63) passed away as a monk.

• Myo Tun (Bobby, Errol Than Tun, Dio, A69) became Ashin Pannagavesaka after retirement. Was Dhamma Librarian, Editor & Interpreter at Mawlamyaing Pa Auk Monastery. Taught English to selected monks and youths in various cities

Other Sayadaws

• U Win Paing (SPHS64, ChE70) became U Wara after taking his final exam. Was တိုက်အုပ် for many years at the Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung. He succeeded U Vinaya as Chief Resident Monk. He is now GBNF.

• Sayadaw U Jotika (EP73)
  is a prolific writer.

• U Bo Gyi (A59) became a monk after retiring from PWD. Cast aside by higher authorities for designing the Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi. He is now GBNF.

• U Han Nyo (Met60) became monk in the USA. Resided in monasteries in New York, California & Mexico.
• Saya Beatson (Physics, Boy Scout Master, SPHS) became a monk. Myo Nyunt (Harry Kyaw), Atom Hla and other Paulians offered Soon to Sayadaw during his trips to Yangon. He is the lone remaining Saya from our SPHS days.

• Younger brother of Dr. Saw Tin (Maths, GBNF) became a monk. He was in California for a Sima Consecration (သိမ်သမုတ်ပွဲ)
• Per KMZ, a young alumnus became Seattle Sayadaw. Met the Sayadaw when he was showing his mentor (from Myanmar) in the SF Bay Area.
• After retirement as Pro-Rector, Saya Dr. Lwin Aung (A59) spent several vasa as a monk. He returned to Lay Order due to medical concerns.

Posts

• De La Salle Schools
• Higher Ordination

• Sayadaws
• Vinaya

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Highlights

• First Rector, International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
• Trailblazer for the Buddhist monks doing Dhamma Duta missions in the USA and beyond. See the book by Nyaung Kan Aye Sayadaw.
• Ovada Sayadaw and Spirtual Advisor of Monasteries (Dhammanada Vihara, TMC, Abayarama, Mahasi) & Meditation Centers (DMC).
• Lexicographer, Tipitaka Pali-Myanmar Dictionary
• Author — Books (in Burmese & English)

• Courses — Fundamentals of Buddhism, Abhidhamma (in Burmese & English), Consecration of Sima, Dhamma Topics & Discussions

• Passed away on August 13, 2005. I was Emcee of the Memorial Service. I accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo (TBSA) and carried the Box of Sayadaw’s ashes to be scattered near the Golden Gate Bridge.
• I was Contributing Editor of the book “Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silandabhivamsa”.

• Sarah Marks transcribed Sayadaw’s talks on Abdhidhamma. It was published in three volumes.

• A Thai devotee published “Paritta Pali and Protective Verses” as a birthday present for Sayadaw.

• Sayadaw’s first book “Taya Oo” was reprinted for Sayadaw’s 75th Birthday. It also had Sayadaw’s Biography.

10th Anniversary

• In August 2015, TBSA celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Sayadaw’s demise
• I read Sayadaw’s biography

Last Journey

• Sayadaw (Rector, ITBMU and Chief Resident Monk, Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California) passed away on August 13, 2005.
• I had the honor to serve as Master of Ceremonies at the Services.
• 50+ Theravada monks from Burma, USA, and UK paid respect to Sayadaw.
• U Nandamalabhivamsa (then Pro-Rector, Academic, IMBTU) and Dr. Myint Kyi (then Pro-Rector, Admin, IMBTU) attended the ceremonies as Representatives of IMBTU.
• Devotees mourned that “The sun that rose in the East has set in the West”
• Sayadaw was cremated.
• I had the honor to carry the box containing Sayadaw’s ashes to be scattered from a yacht into the waters near Golden Gate Bridge.
• Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, President of TBSA) led the procession.
• Sayadaw’s last journey is recorded as a 2-set DVD.

Paying Homage

I served as a Contributing Editor and the Committee member for compiling and publishing the book “Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silananda”.

In August, 2015, the saydaws and devotees of Dhammananda Vihara to celebratethe 10th Anniversary of Sayadaw’s demise. See photos