Inaugural Rector of ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University)
Passed away on August 13, 2005
I served as Master of Ceremony at the Service
I carried the Box of his Ashes and accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, President of TBSA) for the Scattering of the Ashes near Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Publication
Book in memory of U Silananda
I was a member of the Committee & Contributing Editor
Book
August 30, 2015
Attended 10th Anniversary of Sayadaw U Silananda’s demise
He passed away on 4 April 1989 in Rangoon, Myanmar.
He and his mentor Karlis Tennisons (Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia and Sangharja for Estonia and Lithuania) lived for many years in a monastery on “A Le Pyit Sa Yan” အလယ် ပစ္စယံ of Shwe Dagon Pagoda.
He went for alms round every day, and was fondly known as “Mote Seik Phone Gyi” (named after his beard).
After his mentor’s demise, he inherited his master’s titles. He shaved his beard and became ordained as a Theravada monk with the name “Ashin Ananda”.
He was a Poet Laureate. He wrote poems in English. He also translated Burmese poems (including Anandathuriya’s kabyar) into English.
According to the Theravada Buddhist tradition, there are six Buddhist Councils. The last two were held in Burma.
Mandalay မန္တလေး
Ripley’s “Believe it or not” named U Khanti Kyauksar (inscriptions) of the Fifth ပဥ္စမ Buddhist Council (Synod) held in Mandalay as the “Largest Book” in the world.
The Council was held to celebrate the 2400th Year in Sasana Era.
King Mindon was the Sponsor.
Kaba Aye ကမ္ဘာအေး
U Nu & Sir U Thwin were prime movers for the Sixth ဆဌ Buddhist Council, which was held to celebrate the 2500th Year in Sasana Era.
Mahasi Sayadaw မဟာစည်ဆရာတော် acted as the Questioner.
Mingun Sayadaw မင်းကွန်းတရာတော် acted as the Reciter & Responder.
Mahasi & Mingun Sayadaws
The Guinness Book of World Records listed Tipialkadara Sayadaw Ashin Vicittathara as having an outstanding memory — the best at that time [in 1954]. Sayadaw served as the Chief Reciter (a la Ashin Upali and Ashin Ananda at the First Buddhist Council) at the Sixth Buddhist Council held at KabaAye (World Peace) Pagoda in Rangoon, Burma from 1954 – 1956.
Sayadaw could memorize, recall, and give exposition on 8027 pages of the Buddhist Scriptures known as Tipitaka / “Three Baskets” :
Vinaya – ဝိနည်းRules of monastic conduct
Sutta – သုတ္တန်Buddha’s discourses
Abhidhamma – အဘိဓမ္မာUltimate reality)
He took the 2nd – 5th Tipitakadara examinations and passed with distinction in both oral and written parts. Sayadaw served as an examiner for the first Tipikadara examination. Sir U Thwin requested him to take the examination. The rest is history.
Succeeded Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa as Rector of ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University).
He represented ITBMU at the Last Journey of Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa.
Gave courses and sermons. Many are available as MP3.
Taught Abhidhamma in Myanmar and beyond.
Fundamental Abhidhamma Part I was first taught in 1997 at Maryland, USA. The book was edited by Dr. Khin Maung U (First in Burma in the Matric exam of 1963). The second edition was published by the Center of Buddhist Studies (CBS), Sagaing Hills in 2005.
Fundamental Abhidhamma Part II was published by the Center of Buddhist Studies (CBS), Sagaing Hills in 2007.
Fundamental Abhidhamma Part I
By Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa
First edition : June 1997
Editor : Dr. Khin Maung U
Myanmar-Buddhist Meditation Society, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Second, extended edition : January 2005
revised : November 2005
Center for Buddhist Studies (CBS), Sagaing Hills, Sagaing, Myanmar
Contents
The History of Abhidhamma
(1) Why is it called Abhidhamma? (2) Who is the author? … (8) The role of Abhidhammattha sangaha (9) The role of Vibhavani (10) Ledi Sayadaw (11) Paramatthadipani, the critic of Vibhavani
Received higher ordination as a monk at the Neikbeinda Monastery in Pyay / Prome.
Completed one part of the Tipitaka Examination.
Dhamma Duta missions in Japan, US, Jamaica, Canada, Taiwan …
Joined U Silananda at the Dhammanada Vihara (then in Daly City, California).
In 2007, he succeeded U Silananda as Chief Resident Monk of Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California.
Publications
He has published books in
Myanmar e.g. Book for Chanting/Recitation
English e.g. The Basic Teachings of Theravada of Buddhism (edited by Hla Min and Don Johnson)
Japanese e.g. Translation of selected works of U Silananda
Book for Dhamma Chanting
Chanting
The Basic Teachings Of Theravada Buddhism
Author: U Jotalankara (Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California, USA)
Editors: Hla Min and Don Johnson
First edition : June 2004
Foreword by Ven. Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa
Fifteen chapters
1. Program of worshiping
2. Explanation of words
3. Benefits and stories of taking refuges and precepts, and offering food, flowers, etc.
4. The discipline or duties of laypersons (Gihi-vinaya)
5. What is the teaching of the Buddhas?
6. Cultivating Good
7. Purifying One’s Mind
8. The For Divine Abodes (Brahama-viharas)
9. Vipassa-bhavana, Insight or Mindfulness Meditation
10. The Four Noble Truths & Four Noble Persons
11. The Teaching to the Kalamas
12. The Pali Alphabet in Roman Characters
13. Program of Chanting (Paritta — Eleven Protective Suttas — and other Suttas)
14. First two sermons of the Buddha & the Program of Chanting to Consecrate a Buddha Image & Ovada-patimokha
15. Program of Novice Ordination
This book has been used in the Summer Dhamma Camps at Dhammananda Vihara
He has written Dhamma books in Myanmar, English, and Japanese. Some books were compiled from his articles in the Dhammananda Newsletter published by the Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA).
Book 2
Theravada Buddhist Novice Ordination and Monk Ordination
Author : U Jotalankara
Editor : James Rives, Ph.D.
First Edition : August, 2008
Two kinds of ordination
Pabbajja : to become a novice (samanera)
Upasambada : to become a monk (bhikkhu)
Novice Ordination
Three steps of novice ordination
shaving off the hair of the head
putting on robes
giving the Three Refuges
The procedures for the second and third steps of novice ordination
Paying homage to the Three Gems
Handing robes to the teacher
Asking for the robes from the teacher and putting them on
Requesting a novice ordination
Requesting the Ten Novice-precepts with the Three Refuges
Paying homage to the Buddha
Taking the Three Refuges
Taking the Ten Precepts of a Novice
Choosing a teacher to be the candidate’s preceptor
Reply of the preceptor
Reflecting on the use of the Four Requisites
Reflecting on the repulsiveness of the body
Ten conditions for expulsion from Novice-hood
Ten punishments
Monk Ordination
Five fulfilling conditions for becoming a monk
Perfections of a person Eleven categories of disqualified persons
Perfection of an assembly
Perfection of the Sima (“Thane”) Two kinds of Sima
Perfection of the Motion
Perfection of the Kammavaca
The procedure of monk ordination
1. Choosing the candidate’s preceptor
2. Stating the ownership of alms-bowl and robes
3. Giving temporary names
4. Ordering the candidate to go and stand outsie the Sangha
…
10. Reciting the Natti and Kammacvaca
…
15. The new monk’s special request
The procedure of monk ordination for two candidates
Primary Author : Mahasi Sayadaw Translator : Maung Tha Noe Editor: Sayadaw U Silananda Original Publisher : Dhammachakka Meditation Center, 1991 Republished with other sources : Tathagata Meditation Center
Other sources included the book “Instructions to Meditation Practice” by Mahasi Sayadaw “Benefits of Walking Meditation” by Sayadaw U Silananda “Guidance for Yogis at Interview” by Sayadaw U Pandita “An Interview with Mahasi Sayadaw” by Thamanaykyaw, translated by U Hla Myint
Ovadacariya to Sanagha Maya Nayaka, trustees of renowned pagodas
Outstanding teacher and writer
Played an important role in reviving Buddhism in India and propagating the study of Abhidhamma
Very modest; rarely talked about his many achievements
Patamagyaw scholar of all Burma (1918) : selected from among 5000 candidates
Panyattisasanahita (1923) : among the 4 out of 150 entrants who passed the toughest monastic examination
Studied Sanskrit in India; English in India and England
Lectured in US, UK, France, … (25+ countries)
Translated Vibhanga (second of the seven Adbhidhamma texts) from Pali to English : published by the Pali Text Society in 1969 under the title of The Book of Analysis
Essential Themes of Buddhist Lectures
Collection of unconnected individual talks given between 1938 – 1983
Part 1 : Introductory articles or Talks of Buddhism (10 lectures)
Part 2 : Talks involving Sila in particular (5 lectures)
Part 3 : Talks involving Samadhi in particular (12 lectures)
Part 4 : Talks involving Panna in particular (4 lectures)
Part 5 : Talks dealing with Buddhism in general (12 lectures)
Sayadaw U Silananda resided at TMC when Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay was undergoing construction.
U Silandabhivamsa
Beelin Sayadaw
Resident Sayadaw, TMC
Succeeded Panditarama Sayadaw at Shwe Taung Gone
He is now GBNF
Beelin Sayadaw
Activities
TMC conducted long-term meditation retreats and week-end retreats.
TMC held summer classes : one for children and the other for young adults.
TMC published several books (in English and Vietnamese) for Dhamma Dana distribution.
TMC also offered courses via Zoom.
Several activities were suspended during the pandemic.
Pali
Sayadaw Dhammika-bhivamsa (Tharmanay Kyaw) taught Pali courses using selected Suttas to interested yogis to have an appreciation of Buddha’s teachings without delving into the details of Pali grammar.
The course materials were prepared by Som Tu (Director of TMC, Retired Technology Executive) under the guidance of Thamanay Kyaw Sayadaw.
Reference Books
I volunteered as Translator/Interpreter for Meditation Retreats at TMC.
Myat Kyaw & San Lin
P M-E Dictionary
Beelin Sayadaw U Pannadipa (then Resident Sayadaw at TMC, later Padana Nayaka Sayadaw at Panditarama Shwe Taung Gone in Yangon) gave me the book “A Pali Myanmar-English Dictionary of the Noble Words of the Lord Buddha”.
The book was compiled by U Myat Kyaw (Myanmar Sar Ah Phwe) and translated into English by U San Lwin. U San Lwin is the older brother of Dr. Lyn Swe Aye, IM(2).
Buddhist Dictionary
Buddhist Dictionary
TMC gave me “Buddhist Dictionary” by Venerable Nyantiloka.
It is subtitled “Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines”.
The first edition was published in 1946. The third revised and enlarged edition was edited by [Venerable] Nyanaponika in 1970.
Intro to Pali
U Hla Myint (former Sayadaw who had passed several monastic exams) gave me a PDF version of his manuscript “An Introduction to Pali” for study and review.
The book is available as Dhamma Dana distribution from TMC.
He studied Pali under the guidance of Mahagandayone Sayadaw U Janakabhivamsa, U Vijayalankara & U Dhammikabhivamsa (“Thamanay Kyaw”).
He studied English under the guidance of Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa and with the eminent teachers such as U Aung Myat Thut, U Aye Maung and U Hla Maung.
He has written, translated and edited several books for TMC.
Updates
Sayadaw U Pandita, Sayadaw U Silandabhivamsa and Beelin Sayadaw have passed away.
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)
Rev Lustig 1Rev Lustig 2
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.
Men on the Moon (Poem)
U Thilawuntha
(ဦးသီလဝန္တ)
Mon Sayadaw (မွန်ဆရာတော်)
Mon Sayada
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
Uzin Dr. Lwin Aung
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
U Bo Gyi
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
U Myo Tun
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
U Aung Chaw
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
U Wara
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
Paing Brothers
U Jotika (EE73) ဦးဇောတိက
U Jotika 1U Jotika 2
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
