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Ashin Pyinnya Thiha
(A Biographical Sketch)
Ashin Pyinnya Thiha was born on Thursday, the 13th waning day of
Tansaungmone in 1312 of Burmese (Kawja) Calendar, 7 December 1950, to U
Maung Khin and Daw Thaung Khin in Thaungon Village, Hsinbyukyun Township,
Magwe Division, Burma (Myanmar). He ordained as a Samanera (Novice) at the
age of eleven. In the fourth year of his Novice, he passed the basic level
of Government Pali Pataka Examination. At the age of nineteen, he passed
the Government Examination of Teachership in Fundamental Pitaka
Scriptures.
On 23 May 1969, the 8th waxing day of Nayone in 1331 of Burmese Calendar,
on reaching the age of twenty, he was ordained a Bhikkhu (Monk) at
Jawtikaron Monastery in Pyay Township, Burma. In 1970 and 1971, he
appeared for two advanced Pitaka examinations with success, and he
attained the certificates on Pitaka Lectureship level namely Dhammacariya
and Digha Nikaya Kawvida. To appreciate his success, he was awarded a
lifetime first class ticket, valid for domestic travels with a companion
for State-owned transportation.
He then turned to his academic studies and passed the Matriculation
Eligibility examination in 1978. After four years, in early 1982, he sat
for Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) examination successfully. Before he joined
Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, he attended the first six-month refresher course in
Pitaka Lectureship sponsored by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
During his years in Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, Ashin Pyinnya Thiha practiced
meditation under the guidance of Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw, and he in turn
gave training to Yogis and Laymen. He also studied English language on the
other hand. Effective 24 July 1986, he took residence at a monastery in
London known as the Buddha Vihara Kyaung Taik.
On 3 July 1995, he arrived at the Loka Chantha or the Universal Peace
Buddha Temple in New York, on invitation of the America Burma Buddhist
Association (ABBA). Being assigned by Venerable U Indada, Padhana Nayaka
Sayadaw (Presiding Monk) of the Loka Chantha Monastery, he has been
serving religious duties as a devout Bhikkhu at Mahasi Satipatthan Yeiktha
in New Jersey, which is a branch of the Loka Chantha Monastery. |
