Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahathera
Sri Lanka·Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā·Male·20th century
Most Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra was a Sri Lankan bhikkhu and a senior meditation teacher. He was the spiritual advisor of the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā and significantly contributed to the propagation of meditation practices, including the Pa-Auk method, in Sri Lanka. Recognized for his extensive knowledge and teaching, he authored over 100 books and booklets.
Key Facts
- ›Born in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, on April 24, 1939.
- ›Ordained as a monk in 1957 and received higher ordination (upasampada) in 1959.
- ›Studied under various learned elders and was proficient in Pali and Sanskrit.
- ›Taught meditation to monks and lay practitioners since 1977.
- ›Authored over 100 books and booklets on meditation and Dhamma.
- ›Received the 'Mahākammaṭṭhānācariya' title from the Government of Burma in 2006.
Important Relationships
- Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā
- Nā Uyana Āranya
- Over 100 Books and Booklets On Meditation and Dhamma
Nā Uyana āRanya, Meetirigala Dharmayatanaya, Kurunegala, Gunawardena Yogasrama
- Most Venerable Vigoda Bodhirakkhitha MahāThēRa
- Ven. Matara Sri Nanarama Mahathera
- Ven. Matale Silarakkhita MahāThēRa
- Most Venerable Sayadaw Bhaddanta āCiṇṇA
- Ven. Nyaninda Sayadaw
Sinhala, English
Upasaka, Bhikkhu
Meditation Teacher, Spiritual Advisor, Author
About Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahathera
Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra
Most Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra (born April 24, 1939, died September 6, 2016) was a prominent Sri Lankan Buddhist monk (bhikkhu) and a highly respected senior meditation teacher. He played a significant role as the spiritual advisor of the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā, an influential organization dedicated to Buddhist practice and study.
Life and Historical Context
Born in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, into a devoted Buddhist family, Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra was inspired from a young age by the monks at the nearby Nā Uyana Āranya forest monastery. He trained as an upasaka in 1956 and later went forth as a monk on March 27, 1957, receiving higher ordination (upasampada) in 1959. He studied under several learned elders and became proficient in Pali and Sanskrit, possessing extensive knowledge of the Pali Canon and its commentaries.
Meditation Practice and Contributions
Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra was a dedicated practitioner and teacher of meditation. He studied the Mahasi meditation system and was guided in traditional Sri Lankan meditation methods. In 1996, he trained under Sayadaw Bhaddanta Āciṇṇa (Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw) in Burma and subsequently introduced the Pa-Auk meditation method to the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā upon his return to Sri Lanka. He taught meditation to both monastics and lay practitioners starting in 1977.
Leadership and Recognition
He served as a teacher at the Gunawardena Yogasrama from 1965 to 1995 and later held key leadership positions within the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā, becoming its spiritual advisor and head in 2003. In this capacity, he guided approximately 1,500 forest monks. His contributions were recognized with prestigious titles, including 'Mahākammaṭṭhānācariya' ('Great Meditation Teacher') from the Government of Burma in 2006, and 'Tripiṭaka Vāgīśvarācārya' and 'Mahopādhyāya' from the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya.
Publications
Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra was also a prolific author, having written over 100 books and booklets in Sinhala on the subjects of meditation and Dhamma. A selection of these works has been translated into English, making his teachings accessible to a wider audience.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Most Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra?
Most Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra was a highly respected Sri Lankan Buddhist monk (bhikkhu) and a senior meditation teacher. He was known for his deep knowledge of Buddhist scriptures and his role as the spiritual advisor of the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā.
What was his role in the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā?
He served as the spiritual advisor and head of the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā from 2003, leading approximately 1,500 forest monks across 193 branch monasteries. He had previously been the registrar of the organization for many years.
What meditation practices did he teach?
Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra was instrumental in introducing and teaching the Mahasi meditation system and later the Pa-Auk meditation method in Sri Lanka. He practiced under renowned teachers in Burma and guided numerous monks and lay practitioners in these techniques.
What recognition did he receive for his teachings?
He was awarded the 'Mahākammaṭṭhānācariya' ('Great Meditation Teacher') title by the Government of Burma in 2006 for his contributions to teaching Dhamma and meditation. The Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya also bestowed upon him the titles 'Tripiṭaka Vāgīśvarācārya' and 'Mahopādhyāya'.
What were his notable publications?
Most Venerable Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra authored more than 100 books and booklets, primarily in Sinhala, focusing on meditation and Dhamma. Some of these works have been translated into English.
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