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| Chanmyay Sayadaw U Janakabhivamsa (1928 - ) |
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 Sayadaw U Janaka or Chanmyay Sayadaw as he is popularly known is a renowned Burmese Vipassana Buddhist master and one of the last remaining direct disciples of Mahasi Sayadaw. He is the abbot of Chanmyaya Yeittha in Yangon, Myanmar. In 1943, at the age of 15 he became a novice monk. He a young monk he studied for many years at Mandalay Mahavisuddhayone University. In 1957, he moved to Sri Lanka, there he continued his studies at the Mahavisuddharma Monastery. He studied English, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Sinala languages. He even took the London G.C.E. examination in English and passed. Ashin spent six years studying at the monastery. After finishing his time in Sri Lanka in June of 1963, he returned to Burma. In 1967, he was appointed as a meditation teacher by Mahāsi Sayādaw, at the Mahai Sasana Yeiktha Meditation Centre. He also assisted Mahai Sayadaw as an interpreter on his foreign missions to the USA and Europe in 1979 and 1980. In 1979, he moved to Chanmyay Yeikta Meditation Centre, which was donated to him by a devotee. Between 1981 – 1985, Chanmyay Sayadaw travel and taught all over Europe, Asia and America. In 1995, he opened a meditation center near Hmawbi. In honour of Sayadaw's missionary work for the cause of the Buddhasasana, the Government of the Union of Myanmar conferred on him the titles of 'Maha-Kammatthanacariya' (Great Meditation Master) in 1993 and 'AggaMaha-Kammatthanacariya' (Great Noble Meditation Master) in1995.[1] |
Date of Birth: 24 Jul, 1928
Location: Myanmar
State: No State Provided
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Views: 118
Summary
Sayadaw U. Janaka was born to U Phyu WIn and Dhw Shwe Yee on Tuesday, July 24, 1928 in the Pyinma vilage, Taungdwingy township in Burma. When he turned fifteen, he became a samanera (novice monk) after being initiated at Tawya Beikman Monastery. He started studying under the Venerable U Malvamsa. When he was ordained, he was given the name of Ashin Janaka. Ashin was a committed student and loved the teachings of Buddha. He committed all his waking hours to studying the Buddha-Dhamma. Ashin also began studying English under Myaung-mya Sayadaw U Dhammananda of Pathein. He went to school at Mandalay Mahavisuddhayone University and then returned to become a lecturer on Buddhist scriptures. In 1954, he was invited by the Buddha Sasana Organization to perform Palivisodhaka, which means become their editor. In 1957, he began studying at Mahavisuddharma Monaster in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He studied English, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Sinala languages and texts while there. He even took the London G.C.E. examination in English and passed. Ashin spent six years studying at the monastery. After finishing his time in Sri Lanka in June of 1963, he returned to Burma. The Buddha Sasana Organization invited him to stay at their Kaba-Aye Monastery, which he agreed to do. There, he edited publications of Pail texts. In 1967 he performed the duties of Nayaka Sayadaw (Meditation Teacher) at Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha Meditation Centre under the instruction of the Most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw and rendered assistance in the performance of Piriyatti (studies) and Patipatti (meditation practice) duties. In the field of Patipatti the Ven. Ashin U Janaka performed the duties of Meditation teacher at Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha for five years and at Mandalay Yatanabon Sasana Yeiktha for about one and a half years.[2] In February of 1979, he took up residence at Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre, which was donated to him by a number of devotees. Since taking up residence there he has been referred to as the Chanmyay Sayadaw. Shortly after taking up residence there, he left for a year with the Most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw to Europe and America. As soon as he was done with that trip, he went on Dhammaduta missions, by himself, from 1981-1985. He went through Europe, Asia, and America. In April of 1995, again some of Sayadaw's devotees made a huge donation to him. They gave him a ten-acre plot of land near Hmawbi, so that he could build a meditation center. A quiet area, lush with trees and nature, it made a perfect place to build a place of meditation. His disciples constructed dormitories, meditation halls, meditation platforms, kitchens, dining halls, essentially make it a home, not just a place to meditate.
References:
1. Biography of Chanmyay Sayadaw, U Janakabhivamsa http://www.buddhanet.net/janaka.htm
Related Links:
www.satipanya.org.uk/bhante.htm
www.chanmyay.org/
www.mahasiusa.org/
www.buddhanet.net/janaka.htm
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