Venerable Sayadaw U Jotalankara

UJotalankara

Residence: 1982 to 2023
Practice: Theravāda, Mahāsi tradition

 

Birth and Youth

Sayadaw U Jotalankara was born in 1938 (6th waning day of Wa Khaung month, 1300 Burmese Era) in Zee Byu Seit village, Ngaputaw Township, Pathein (Bassein) District, Myanmar. He is the fifth son of U Phyo and Daw Aye Tin.

Novice

July 15, 1950: Became a novice. His preceptor was Auk Kyaung Sayadaw of Laputtalote Myauk Bet village, Laputta Township. The donors of the eight requisites were his parents (U Phyo and Daw Aye Tin), U Kyin, U Kyaw Sein, and Daw Sein Thin.

Ordination

April 13, 1958: Received higher ordination at Baddha Sima, Neikbeinda Hill Monastery, Pyay (Prome). His preceptor was Auk Kyaung Sayadaw of Laputtalote Myauk Bet village, Laputta Township. The donors of the eight requisites were U Maung San and Daw Pu, U Nyo Ohn and Daw Thein of Lanmadaw Street in Kyobinkauk.

At the request of donors, Sayadaw was re-ordained four more times: March 16, 1965, May 13, 1966, March 16, 1994, and March 24, 1994.

Education and Degrees Conferred

Primary Education

  • Kambala Monastery (religious school)
  • Zee Byu Seit Monastery (religious school)

Religious Studies

  • 1951–1959: Basic Pali literature and Prescribed Tipitaka literature (at Lapputaloke Auk Kyaung).
  • 1960–1969: Texts for religious exams (at Taik Kyaung Pali Tekkatho, Gyobingauk) and Patthana (at Mount Popa, conducted by Pahtan Theik Pan Sayadaw of Sagaing Hills).
  • 1969–1973: Krtantra (Treatise on Sanskrit grammar – conducted by Sayadaw U Paduma) and Basic English and Sanskrit (conducted by Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa) at Anaukpyin Abhayarama Monastery, Mandalay.
  • March 1967: Practiced Vipassana under the tutelage of Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw, Mahasi Meditation Center, Yangon (Rangoon).

Examinations (Religious Ministry of Burma)

  • 1960: Pathamange (1st Grade)
  • 1962: Pathamalat (2nd Grade) – placed third in all of Burma
  • 1963: Pathamagyi (3rd Grade) – won scholarship for placing second in all of Burma
  • 1964: Sasanadhaja Dhammacariya
  • 1965: Sasanadhaja Siripavara Dhammacariya
  • 1966: Dighabhanaka (awarded at the 17th Tipitaka examination)
  • 1966: Third prize in the Five Niyakas examination, Hlegu
  • 1966: Dighabhanagambhiranyana (awarded by Mingala Gati Visuddhi Association, Yangon)
  • 1968: Dighanikaya Kovida (awarded at the 21st Tipitaka examination)
  • 1995: B.A., San Francisco State University

Sasana Activities

  • 1974–August 1979: Chief Abbot and Dhamma lecturer at Dekkhinayone Monastery, Kyaik Waing, Mayangone Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
  • August 1979–September 1985: Invited by trustees of the World Peace Pagoda, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City, Japan. Taught Theravada Buddhism in Japanese.
  • September 1985–October 1986: Resident at Dhammodaya Monastery, Los Angeles.
  • End of October 1986–Present:
    • Resident monk at Dhammananda Vihara Monastery.
    • Ovadacariya and columnist for the “Dhammananda Newsletter.”
    • Conducted courses on Visuddhimagga, Cakkavatti Sutta, Sigalovada Sutta, and others.
    • Ovadacariya for Wut associations.

Publications

  • Nanpou Jozabu Bukkyou no Oshie (Teaching of Southern Theravada Buddhism, 1985) – in Japanese
  • Meiso Shidousho (Meditation Instructions, 1998) – in Japanese
  • Dhammananda Wut Yut Sin (Collection of Protective Verses and Chantings) – in Burmese
  • Notes on Buddhism (400 pages, in preparation) – in Burmese
  • The Basic Teachings of Theravada Buddhism (in preparation) – in English
  • Articles in both Burmese and English in the Dhammananda Newsletter.