Chanmyay Sayadaw Biography

A SHORT BIOGRAPHY

AND

SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS

OF

VENERABLE CHANMYAY SAYADAW

Our benefactor, the most Venerable Chanmyay Sayadaw-to-be, was born on Tuesday, the 8th waxing day of the month Wagaung 1290 Myanmar Calendar Year (24th July 1928). Sayadaw’s parents are U Phyu Minn and Daw Shwe Yee. He is the 3rd son of nine children. His native place is Pyinma Village, Taungdwingyi Township.

He had his early education at the Government Primary School at Pyinma village and passed the 4th grade. His grandparents, U San Dun and Daw Kauk, wanted him to learn the fundamental of Buddhism at the Tawya Beikman monastery near Taungdwingyi. So, he did as they wished. He was ordained a samanera (novice) at the age of fifteen supported by his parents. Sayadaw U Malavamsa, the abbot of Tawya Beikman monastery, was his preceptor who gave him the name Shin Janaka.

The Venerable Sayadaw U Vasavinda, his Dhamma teacher, taught him at the age of thirteen not only the fundamental of Buddhism but also such scripture as Mahavagga of Dighanikaya with a view to inspiring the young student to have strong saddha (faith) in the Buddha-sasana. When he became a samanera he was taught Vinaya-Pitaka together with its commentaries apart from such a basic syllabus as compendium of Abhidhama, kaccayana Grammar, Abhidhana and Alankara.

Shin Janaka studied Anguttra Nikaya and Samyutta Nikaya by himself. He also taught some young monks and samaneras as much as he could because he was instructed by his teachers. Shin Janaka was insatiable in studying Buddhist scripture; he was absorbed almost all the time in reading one or the other book of the scripture. Moreover, he studied and practiced writing Pali gathas, Pali prose and at times poems and verses in Myanmar.

On the Fullmoon Day of Tazaungmon, the 8th month of 1309 Myanmar calender Year (18.10.1947) Shin Janaka was ordained a Bhikkhu, full ordination, sponsored by the merchants U Sein Nyo and Daw Hla Hnit, Shwe Oh Quarter, Taungdwingyi. Tawyabeikman Sayadaw Bhaddanta Paduma Thera was his preceptor.

After his ordination he went to Mandalay in June 1948 and stayed at Mahavisuddharama monastery where he continued his studies of the scripture under the tutelage of the Venerable Sishin Sayadaw- phayagyi and his senior disciples who were also lecturers there. He also attended some classes of scripture taught by other well-known teachers in Mandalay.

In a couple of years his ardent study of scripture enabled him to get through the junior, senior, advanced and lectureship examinations sponsored by the government. So, he was conferred the title of Sasanadhaja-siripavara-dhammacariya.

He also passed Sakyasiha-lectureship examination sponsored by Pariyatti-sasanahita association in Mandalay. So, he got the title of Ashin Janakabhivamsa Pariyatti-sasanahita-dhammacariya. Then he was appointed a lecturer at Mahavisuddharama Pali University, Mandalay.

In 1952 one of his close supporters in Mandalay offered him the two volumes of How to Practise Vipassana Meditation written by the Most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw. After he had carefully read them he took interest in Vipassana Meditation. However, the technique of noticing the rising and falling of the abdomen mentioned in the book is rather strange to him because the traditional method of meditation is to concentrate the mind on respiration (Anapanassati).

The method of noticing abdominal movements is not directly mentioned in scriptures. However, he well understands that the abdominal movement is one of the six types of Vayodhatu, wind element which must be realized by a meditator, so the technique is not contradictory to the scriptures. But he was attached to the traditional method of Anapanassati. He found it difficult to be fully satisfied with the technique. He, therefore, decided to practice meditation under the guidance of the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw so that he can decide through the practical experience in meditation.

After attending the Convocation for the successful students in lectureship examination in Yangon, he went to Sakya Yan Aung monastery in Pyapon where he performed his religious duty as a preparatory stage for meditation-practice. Then he went to Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, Yangon in June 1953 and practiced Vipassana Meditation for four months under the guidance of the most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw.

While practicing meditation he put aside all the book-knowledge of meditation and practiced it ardently as instructed by the teacher. Before his practice was not yet completed one month he could erase the doubt about the technique as he had got practical experience of the Dhamma.

For the first two months he practised intensively but in the second two months he gradually relented his effort because he was satisfied with his experience of the Dhamma.

After four months’ practice was completed he, observing the teachers’ interviews with their Yogis, learnt how to teach meditation and how to deal with different types of meditators.

While he was at Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha he was invited by the secretary Sayadaw of the Executive Committee of Chattha Sangiti Sangha Council to participate in the Editorial Board of Scriptures which were to be recited at Sangayana ceremony. He did it as he was respectful to the secretary Sayadaw. So, he had to move to Jambudipa Hostel, KabaAye where the Great Cave of Sangayana was situated.

In June 1957 Ashin Janaka went to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Residing at Mahavissud- dharama monastery in Colombo for six years he learnt the development of Buddhism there.

He also studied Indian History, English, Sanskrit, Singhalese and Hindi languages. In 1960, he sat for G.C.E. (A) Level examination sponsored by London University and passed some subjects. He got through the remaining subject when he arrived back in Myanmar.

In Sri Lanka the chancellor of the Vijjodaya University set up by the Government, invited him to be an Abhidhamma Lecturer. Unfortunately, he could not accept it on account of his poor health at that time.

Ashin Janaka came back to Myanmar in June 1963. Again, the State Buddhasasana Association invited him for the third time to edit general Pali texts. He accepted it, took residence at the Jambudipa Hostel, KabaAye, and joined the Editorial Board of Pali Texts. One day the most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw instructed him to write the preface to a treatise entitled “Visuddhimagga Mahatika Nissaya” written by the most Venerable Mahasi Sayadawgyi. Ashin Janaka wrote a forty-page preface and presented it to the Sayadawgyi.

In 1966 he went back to Taungdwin- gyi, his native town, and carried out his sasana duties at his Alma Mater, Tawya Beikman monastery. In 1967, he looked after his father who was practising meditation at Sasana Yeiktha, Yangon. Then the most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw appointed him one of the Nayaka (chief) Sayadaws at the Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha. So, he had to help the Syadawgyi in both Pariyatti (Learning Dhamma) and Patipatti (Practising Dhamma). While the most Venerable Mahasi Sayadawgyi was taking treatment for his eyes, the Sayadawgyi instructed him to continue to write the first volume of Visuddhimagga in Myanmar which was left unfinished by Sayadawgyi. So, Ashin Janaka completed it.

At that time, a Sri Lankan monk wrote an article in the World Buddhism Magazine, published in Colombo, saying that the Mahasi method of Kammatthana was not in agreement with the scripture. Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa wrote replies to the criticism for nearly 15 months. The first and the second rebuttal were written by the Venerable Sayadaw U Nyanuttara (Aggamahapandita), KabaAye. The remaining articles were written by Ashin Janakabhivamsa and Myan Aung U Tin as instructed by the Venerable Mahasi Sayadawgyi. These articles were compiled and made into a book entitled Satipatthana Vipassana Meditation. It was published by the Buddhasasananuggaha Organization, Mahasi Thathana Yeiktha, Yangon, Myanmar.

Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa took the responsibility of Kammatthanacariya at Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha,Yangon for 5 years and at Mandalay Ratanapon Sasana Yeiktha for one and a half year.

In 1977 he moved to Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yangon, which was donated by his disciples. The Sayadaw has been shouldering the responsibility of twofold Sasana duty: Pariyatti and Patipatti. As the abbot of the centre, he also had to take many other responsibilities such as administration, delivering Dhamma talks, conducting meditation retreats, writing books on meditation, teaching foreign Yogis and looking after meditators. From then onward he has been known as Chanmyay Sayadaw.

Chanmyay Sayadaw is a Master Teacher of both Vipassana (insight) meditation and metta (loving kindness) meditation practices. Currently he teaches the technique that combines both metta and vipassana meditation at his retreats and centres. This technique of combined practice enables meditators to have clarity and tranquility of mind and relaxation in body which makes the progress of concentration and insight in a great deal.

In 1978, 1979 and 1980 at the invitation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Venerable Chanmyay Sayadaw broadcast a series of Dhammatalks from BBS, entitled “Attainment of Eternal Peace Through Right Understanding” “Realisation, Elimination, Experiencing, Developing” and “How to live A Happy life in Accordance With the Teaching of the Buddha”. After each Dhammatalk was broadcast, it was printed and published in the form of a booklet. Currently, all these three Dhammatalks are compiled in one book and distributed widely.

Chanmyay Sayadaw accepts various invitations from many cities and towns at home and abroad to deliver Dhammatalks and conduct meditation retreats. He carried out them all for the whole year except Vassa (Buddhist Lent). There have been so many towns and places locally where the Sayadaw conducted meditation retreats and Dhammatalks. In the far east up to Tachileik and Keng Tung (Kyaingtone); in the far South up to Dawei, Myeik and Kawthaung; in the Northeast up to Namtu, Nam Kham and Muse; in the Northernmost up to Myitkyina and Putao; in the Western tip up to Sittwe, Kalay and Tamu in the entire length and width of Myanmar.

In 1982, the Sayadaw delivered a historic Dhammatalk invited by the Kalaytownship Christian Council comprising 7 Christian Associations. The Dhammatalk was delivered at the Shwebontha Dhamma Hall, Kalay. Over 6,000 people, mostly Christians, listened to the Dhammatalk which was given in three consecutive days on May 3,4 and 5, 1982. The title of the Dhammatalk is “Hsin Ye Nyein Aye Chan Thar Yay” (Peace and Happiness).

After the Dhammatalk was given the Venerable Sayadaw set out his one year Dhamma mission on 29th May 1982, travelling to Switzerland first and proceeded to Austria, Germany, Netherlands, France, England, the U.S.A. where the Venerable Sayadaw took up rains retreat for three months in 1982. After rains retreat the Sayadaw resumed his missionary journey to Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand the last. The Sayadaw arrived back in Myanmar in May 1983.

In 1983, the Dhammatalk was transcribed from the tapes, made into a book and published up to the 7th edition which ran into an amazingly unprecedented number of 54,000 copies so far.

After the talk, U Man Kyint Htan, The President of the Christian Council, was ordained a temporary Buddhist monk and practised Vipassana Meditation under the guidance of Chanmyay Sayadaw.

In 1985 at the invitation of the Buddhist Association of Yangon University the Sayadaw delivered Dhammatalk at the University Dhamma Hall on every Friday for four weeks. At the end of Dhammatalks he answered over 50 questions about Buddhism asked by students, teachers and outsiders. These Dhammatalks were also made into a book and 25,000 copies are so far distributed.

In March 1993 the Sayadaw gave a Dhamma Lectures at Hinthada University; in January 2005 at Keng Tung (Kyaingtone) University where not only students but also such outsiders as Akha, Lihsu, Pa O nationals and Gon Shans, listened the Dhammatalk enthusiastically and respectfully. The Dhamma Hall was full of interested audience. The Dhammatalks were also delivered at Pago University College and Myitkyinar University.

The Venerable Sayadaw also delivered Dhamma Lectures at Foreign Universities: he gave lectures at Oxford University in 1981 and 1982; at Western Illinois University, U.S.A. in 1982; at Hawaii University, Vancouver University and London Buddhist Vihara in 1982 to 1988. A Vipassana Meditation retreat was conducted for 3 days at Cambridge University, England in 1998. In 1982 one day retreat was taught at Oberlin University, U.S.A.

In 1982 Parable of the Log (Dharuk- khandhopama Sutta) was delivered in London Buddhist Vihara. This talk was published in Buddhist Forum from which the devotees in London copied the talk, made it into a booklet and distributed. Later on the book was distributed in Honolulu, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Bangkok and Yangon.

The Venerable Sayadaw travelled extensively on solo Dhammaduta mission to 30 countries on 40 trips.

On one Dhamma mission, the Sayadaw travelled from 3 to 11 countries, delivering Dhammatalks and conducting meditation retreats, two to four retreats in one country. Consequently, about 30 countries were visited and some 200 retreats were conducted on 40 Dhammaduta missions.

The Venerable Sayadaw travelled to the following countries on his 40 Dhamma missions:—

Japan New Zealand Austria

Korea Australia Switzerland

Hong Kong Indonesia Holland

China Sri Lanka Belgium

Taiwan Kenya France

Philippines Botswana England

Malaysia Lesotho Scotland

Boneo Island South Africa

Thailand Germany America

Singapore Italy Canada

Czech Republic Hawaii

In April and May 1995 the Venerable Sayadaw went to Kenya, South Africa and Botswana. He gave Dhammatalks and taught meditation to both black and white Africans.

In 1997 the Venerable Sayadaw went to South Africa for the second time and accepted the Dhammodaya Myanmar Vihara which was donated by Myanmar devotees in South Africa. He consecrated the first Ordination Hall and celebrated the first ordination ceremony in Africa. He also gave Dhammatalks and conducted meditation retreats.

He broadcast a Live Interview with a senior officer in the Radio 702, Johanesberg. He was also interviewed by some journalists from the Star Newspaper and Pretoria News. At the interview they asked some questions about Vipassana Meditation. The Sayadaw explained it in details. The interviews were published in their newspapers. So, Vipassana Meditation was widely known in South Africa.

The Sayadaw conducted a seven-day meditation retreat at Brunkhosprut Chinese Monastery near Pretoria in South Africa.

In 2004 the Director General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and authorities from International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University requested Sayadaw to help the University. So, the Sayadaw gave lectures on Vipassana Meditation as an honorary Professor two days a week in Buddhist lent when the Sayadaw is in Myanmar.

The Venerable Sayadaw has always in mind the importance of the Buddhist children to be familiar with the teachings of the Buddha. That is why Sayadaw organizes training courses in Buddhist culture for the children from 10 to 18 years of age during summer school holidays in March and April. His yogis who are teachers, teach the children the courses in March and April for about two months. The training course is consisted of 16 levels. Examinations are held at least 3 times. The successful children are awarded certificates and prizes on the Buddha’s Day, the fullmoon of Kasone the second month of Myanmar year.

From the first to sixteenth level, the children are taught the nine attributes of the Buddha, the six attributes of the Dhamma and the nine attributes of the Sanga, the story of the Buddha, the five precepts, the eight precepts, Buddhist ethics, Mangala Sutta, Dhammacakka pavattana Sutta, Anattalakkhana Sutta, Mahasatipatthana Sutta, Paticcasamup- pada, Kamma and Rebirth, Metta Bhavana and Vipassana Bhavana. The introduction and development of Buddhism in Buddhist countries across the world, Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Zen Buddhism and the like are also prescribed and accordingly taught in each level.

With regards to practical aspect of Buddhism children are taught to practice Vipassana Meditation in four separate sessions a day; walking meditation is half an hour and sitting half an hour in one hour session at a time.

In this way the children gradually become familiar with both theoretical and practical aspects of the teaching of the Buddha. The children also very much enjoy this summer programme.

At Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre, Yangon the training courses of Buddhist culture started in 1990 and so far nineteen courses have been conducted until 2008.

In recognizing the Sayadaw’s accomplishments for the Buddha Sasana the government of the State Peace and Develop-ment Council conferred three titles on Sayadaw: Mahakamatthanasariya in 1993, Aggamahakammatthanacariya in 1995 and Aggamahasaddhammajjotikadhaja in 1999.Abhidhaja Aggamahasaddhammajjotikadhaja in 2009.