Tamanya Sayadaw passes away  

            YANGON, 29 Nov - The Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana today announced that Presiding Sayadaw of Thamanya Hill Monastery in Hpa-an Township, Kayin State, Abhidhaja Agga MahaSaddhamma Jotika Bhaddanta Vinaya passed away at 9 am on 6th Waxing of Nadaw 1365 ME (29-11-20030).

Brief biography of the Sayadaw

           The Sayadaw was born of U Taung O and Daw Ohn at Kawtkyaik PaO Village in Hpa-an Township on 6th Waxing of First Waso 1272 ME (Wednesday).

           He was novitiated by Kyangin Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Acara in Mawlamyine in 1285 ME with the sponsorship of his parents. At 7am on 15th Waning of Kason 1292 ME (Friday), he was ordained by Sayadaw Bhaddanta Acara at Khanda Ordination Hall of Yadana Bon Myint Monstery in Mawlamyine with the sponsorship of his parents.

           Then, he studied Pariyatti ( the three repositories of Buddhist Scriptures) under Kawtkyait PaO Village Monstery Sayadaw, Mawlamyine Yadana Bon Myint Monstery Sayadaw, Kyangin Monstery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Acara, Mottama Kywechan Monastery Sayadaw, Kadogwin Monastery Sayadaw and Taikkala Taungsun Thayetkon Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Indacara. He also learnt Patipatti (meditation).

           The Sayadaw taught Buddhist literature to his disciples of monks and novices at Wahsu Monastery and Thamanya Hill Monastery in Hpa-an Township. Until his demise, he carried out missionary tasks to the best of his ability such as teaching methods of meditation to some 500 monks, novices and nums who resided in Thamanya Hill Monastery; always observing Arannakan Dhutin; and daily giving sermons and discourses to 100 to 500 lay persons who visited him.

           In respone to the attributions and brilliant missionay performance of the Sayadaw, the government conferred the title " Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika " on the Sayadaw on 21 November 1991.

           At the age of 93, Vasa 73, the Sayadaw passed away at 9am on 29 November 2003.