The Venerable Sayadaw U Pandita continues to lead the 60 day winter retreat at the Panditarama Forest Meditation Center. Although Sayadawgyi does not interview yogis, he gives almost all of the daily Dhamma talks, which are always inspiring in their clarity, depth, and precision. Over the years, many of his closest disciples have provided one-on-one instruction to yogis during these annual retreats. We have listed the teachers below and where possible provide biographical information. Please note that while all teachers listed may not be available for every retreat, Sayadaw U Pandita takes the utmost care in providing the highest caliber and best trained meditation instructors for yogis at his centers.
Sayadaw U Pandita
Sayadaw U Pandita entered the Mahabodhi Monastery at the
age of seven. He became an accomplished Buddhist scholar
even before studying meditation under the late Ven. Mahasi
Sayadaw. (The Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw is famed for reviving
and teaching the practice of Satipatthana meditation to
lay people as well as monks and nuns.) Sayadaw U Pandita
is now considered one of the leading authorities in the
practice of Satipatthana as taught by his instructor the
late Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw. He possesses extensive
knowledge in both the theory and practice of Samatha and
Vipassana meditation.
Sayadaw serves as spiritual advisor to retreat centers,
monasteries and Buddhist organizations throughout the
world. Since 1951, he has traveled to many countries to
lead meditation retreats. Formerly the head "abbot"
of Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, he is now the Ovadacariya Sayadaw
(head preceptor, highest position for monks) of Panditarama
monastery in Yangon, Myanmar.
Sayadaw
U Pannadipa (Beelin Sayadaw)
Sayadaw U Pannadipa was one of the main teachers at the
1998 inaugural retreat. He is a Nayaka Sayadaw (considered
the highest and most respected level of a qualified teacher,
one level below Ovadacariya Sayadaw) and very experienced
in teaching western yogis. Sayadaw U Pannadipa
lived and taught in England for a number of years and
is currently the resident Sayadaw at Tathagata Meditation
Center in San Jose, California.
Sayadaw
U Sasana
Sayadaw U Sasana, another Nayaka Sayadaw, was very well
received at his first American retreats in 1997 given
in Dexter, Oregon and at Tathagata Meditation Center in
San Jose, California. He completed the teaching degrees
of Sasanadhaja Dhammacariya and Vinaya Paliparagu and
has been a meditation teacher for over 30 years, teaching
at renowned meditation centers such as Jeyyavati Sasana
Yeiktha, Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha and Panditarama. He currently
teaches at Panditarama Forest Meditation Center during
the annual retreat and is also the Abbot of his own center,
Gant Gaw Myaing Sasana Yeiktha, in Yangon.
Sayadaw
U Pannathami
Sayadaw U Pannathami, also a Nayaka Sayadaw, has practiced
meditation under the guidance of the late Venerable Mahasi
Sayadaw, and Venerable Sayadaw U Pandita. He speaks excellent
English, and has guided meditators in retreats in Malaysia,
Singapore, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Nepal, the
U.K., and the USA.
Sayadaw
U Thamanay Kyaw
Sayadaw U Thamanay Kyaw, (a Nayaka Sayadaw), has been
a meditation teacher for 15 years and has conducted
retreats in America and Malaysia. He has written several
books on the teachings of the Dhamma including "One
Life’s Journey", the story of Sayadaw U Pandita’s
life. He is often the resident Sayadaw instructing all
yogis at the Panditarama Forest Meditation Center.
Daw Carudassini
Daw Carudassini is a nun who has lived and trained with Sayadaw U Pandita for almost 20 years. She has completed the rigorous Dhammacariya degree which qualifies her as a Dhamma teacher. In addition to receiving careful guidance from Sayadaw U Pandita about guiding yogis during intensive meditation practice, she is fluent in English and has over 10 years of training in translating and guiding yogi interviews.
Daw Vimalananwi
Daw Vimalanani is a Nepalese nun who has lived and trained in Burma for over 15 years. She has also completed the Dhammacariya degree. After 10 years of training and translating yogi interviews, she began to guide foreign yogis during the special retreats at the Panditarama Forest Meditation Center.
