Venerable U Sanda 

Born in Myanmar (Burma), venerable U Sanda received novice ordination at the age of 13 in 1978.  Although the novice ordination ceremony included six brothers and several cousins, only U Sanda decided to stay on as a novice.  He continued to study under venerable Sayadaw U Nanda Wuntha of the Central Kywete Forest Monastery.

Five months later, U Sanda moved to Yangon (Rangoon) and continued his studies at Thirimingala Tawya Monastery.  In 1985, U Sanda passed the Pathamagyi Exam, equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree.  U Sanda continued to pursue his studies while working as a lecturer to 50 Buddhist monks at the Thirimingala Tawya Monastery.

In 1996, at the age of 29, U Sanda obtained the title of Dhammacariya, second highest title a monk could obtain.  Later that year, U Sanda moved to Golden Hill Panditarama Monastery (International Buddhist Meditation Centre) to learn and practice Vipassana   meditation under the guidance of Awardacariya Sayadaw U Pandita Bhivamsa.

U Sanda arrived in Vancouver on August 13, 2001 at the request of Manawmaya Theravada Buddhist Society and began to perform religious duties.