A Brief Biography of Sayadaw Dr. Ashin Ariyadhamma

Ashin Ariyadhamma was born to U Tun Mhin and Daw Po (Mhinpo Ricemill owner) in Kyaung Gone village, Toungoo Township, Bago Division, Myanmar. He is the third of their four sons.

He studied at Kyaung Gone SPS, Nat Sin Gone SHS, No.(1) SHS-Toungoo, Bago Regional College and at Rangoon University. In 1980, he finished his Diploma course from Bago Regional College and in 1982, he was conferred with B.Sc degree from Yangon Arts and Science University.

He has been a fully ordained monk since October 19,1986. His preceptor's name is Venerable Ashin Pannacakka (Aggamaha Kammatthanacariya). He had studied his Monastic Education at Amarapura Maha Gandhayon Monastery for four years, and at Shwe Hin Tha monastery, Sagaing Hills for five years. He took duty of office at Maha Gandhayon Monastery, duty of teaching at Shwe Hin Tha monastery, and duty of giving meditation guideline at Thaung Gone Sasana Yeiktha and Zephupin Sasana Yeiktha respectively.

In 1993 and 1995, he passed Higher Pali and Nikaya Examinations respectively. He practised Vipassana meditation in various meditation centres, namely, Thaung Gone Sasana Yeiktha, Zephupin Sasana Yeiktha, Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, Tawgu Yeiktha, Theingu Yeiktha, Mahabodhi Yeiktha, Dhammaduta Centre and Igatpuri Centre (India), etc.

In 1995, he studied Buddhism in English under the guidance of Sitagu Sayadaw who is the founder of Sitagu International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) in Sagaing Hills, Sagaing, Myanmar.

He was chosen for further studies in India in 1998. In 2000, he received M.A degree in Philosophy and Diploma in Buddhism from Bombay University.

From 1996 to 1998, he was a lecturer in SIBA. In 2000, he was assigned the position of Assistant Registrar and in 2002, he became Assistant Rector of SIBA.

He resided at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Vihara, 2500 Acapulco Dr. Miramar, Florida, USA from November, 2003 to November, 2004.

He completed his doctoral thesis titled “A Comparative Study of Meditation in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and Buddhist Text” for his Ph.D degree in 2005. He has resided since 2005 at Sitagu Buddhist Vihara, in Austin Texas, USA, serving SÈsana’s duties.