Chanmyay Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa is the chief abbot of Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre, Yangon, Myanmar. The Venerable Sayadaw was born in 1928, became a Samanera (novice monk) at the age of fifteen and received the higher ordination in 1947. He was conferred the rare title of Abhivamsa (a title given only to one who has attained and demonstrated Doctoral level proficiency in the Pali Canon, Commentaries and Sub-commentaries before the age of 27 ) by the Pariyatti Sasana Hita Association of Mandalay in 1952.
The Venerable Sayadaw practised Vipassana meditation under the instruction of the most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw in 1953. He was then invited by the State Buddha Sasana Organization in 1954 to be an editor of the Buddhist scriptures.
Sayar Myat was born and raised as a Buddhist in Myanmar. He learned and practiced the fundamental of Theravada Buddhism and Insight meditation from his principal teacher Sayadawgyi U Janaka Bhivamsa of Yangon, Myanmar, and also from the late Sayadawgyi U Pandita Bhivamsa and the late Sayadawgyi U Silananda Bhivamsa. Sayar Myat came to Canada in 1974.
Since 1989 he has directed his efforts towards the teaching of Theravada Buddhism, using Mindfulness Meditation practice as a core principle. In 1991 he helped found the Manawmaya Theravada Buddhist Society (MTBS), and in 2007 founded the Satipatthana Meditation Society of Canada (SMSC). Both societies are not- for-profit organizations. Sayar Myat fills the roles of president, director, teacher, and translator at SMSC, the place in Canada where people can learn and practice Mindfulness-Insight Meditation in the English language year-round.
Sayalay Nana Malini was born in Bankor Island Indonesia. Her birth name as a layperson was Jennifer Chew. She was ordained at Chanmyay Yeiktha, Yangon, Myanmar. Sayalay’s preceptor monk was Sayadaw U Janaka Bhivamsa.
Sayalay participated in her first one week retreat in Indonesia in 2001. Since that time she has dedicated herself and practiced in depth, for as long as one year at a time. Ten years later her honorable teacher U Janaka Bhivamsa told Sayalay Nana Malini that she would receive even more benefits if she could share her knowledge of Vipassana with those who wish to be free from suffering. Sayalay accepted her honorable teacher’s words and started teaching meditation in Indonesia, Macao, Hong Kong, and Canada.
Sean Pritchard spent many years as a Buddhist monk in the Burmese Mahasi tradition under the guidance of the Venerable Chanmyay Sayadaw (U Janaka). He traveled worldwide teaching Vipassana and Metta practices to many different cultures and nationalities. He holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has a counselling practice in Vancouver BC. The practices taught at his retreat will provide a lifetime of tools and techniques to gain insight into the inner world and workings of the mind. Both beginners and seasoned meditators will benefit from the supportive and skillful guidance of this well experienced teacher.