What is Theravada Buddhism? back to top
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"Theravada" means "Way of the Elders". It is the form of Buddhism that is practiced in Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Kampuchea and Vietnam. For more details, see the links to related Theravada sites, e.g. Nibbana.com and "Insight"
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What is a Sayadaw? back to top
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In Theravada Buddhism, a Sayadaw is a senior monk [generally the chief monk] of a monastery. Devotees refer to a Sayadaw in various forms. For example, - Mingun Sayadaw - Tipitaka Mingun Sayadaw - U Vicittasarabhivamsa - Tipitaka Mingun Sayadaw Venerable U Vicittasarabhivamsa refer to a renowned Myanmar monk who was listed in the "Guiness Book of World Records" in the late 1950s for his memory feat of reciting the Tipitaka (Three Baskets: Viniya, Sutta, Abhidhamma) at the Sixth Buddhist Council held at the World Peace Pagoda (KabaAye) Cave in Rangoon, Burma. For more details, see the article in http://www.tbsa.org
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Why do the name of some Sayadaws end with "(a)bhivamsa"? back to top
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It means that those Sayadaws have passed the renowned "Master of Dhamma" examination held by Pariyattisasanahita Association in Mandalay.
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Why do you say "a Thervada website"? back to top
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This website complements other Theravada websites such as http://www.nibanna.com and http://www.tbsa.org. Our forte is a vast collection of dhamma talks and recitals that can be accessed by readers all over the world.
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What is M.E.? back to top
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M.E. stands for Myanmar Era. In the biographies of the Sayadaws, events are often given in M.E. in addition to the commonly used era C.E. (aka A.D.) The Myanmar dates are given with reference to the phases of a moon: New Moon, Waxing , Full Moon, Waning. M.E. originally started off as the Buddhist Sasana Era, reckoned from the death of Buddha. Two Myanmar Kings, heeding their advisers, made changes to the calendar. Hence, M.E. = Sasana Era - 1182. Generally, M.E. = C.E. - 638. It could be off by 1, because the Myanmar New Year falls in the middle of April.
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Where can I read about the life of the Buddha? back to top
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For those who wish to read in Burmese, the following is a sampling. - Kyi-the-lay-htat Sayadaw's "Jinathapakarthani" is a classic. The early editions had ten sections compiled into four volumes. In the Burmese section of this website, a reference is given to this classic in the article "Have we really become true 'Sasanapyu' [Buddhist missionaries]?"
- YMBA (Young Men's Buddhist Association) published "Illustrated History of Buddhism". The text was by written by Mayagandaryone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa. The illustrator was the late Saya U Ba Kyi, a renowned artist and an arts teacher. TBSA has reprinted the book which includes English translations of the Burmese text.
- Mingun Tipitaka Sayadaw Ashin Vicattatarabhivamsa wrote "Buddhavamsa".
Those who wish to read in English would find "Essential Themes of Buddhist Lectures Given by Ashin Thittila (Aggamahapandita)" a good starting point. The lectures are interesting and informative.
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How and where can we give suggestions? back to top
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If you have any suggestions and comments, please contact us by e-mail.
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