Presiding Monk

Sayar Daw

Ashin Sakkinda was born in Yekansu Village, Butalin Township, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma) on the 8th of February 1955.

His parents were U Chan Mya and Daw Han Nyunt, who provided the four requisites for his novitiate when he was ten years of age, under the preceptorship of Venerable U Rajinda, the Chief Abbot of Yunset Monastery.

He received the higher ordination as a bhikkhu on the 3rd of July 1975 at the Mogoke Khanda Sima of Amrpura Mahagandhayone Monastery under the preceptorship of Aggamahapandita Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa. His supporters of the four requisites were U Thein Maung and Daw Ohn of Mawlamyaingkyun, Irrawaddy Division.

He studied Buddhist canonical scriptures under the tutelage of various eminent and leaned teachers at Maunghtaung Village, Butalin Township for his basic scriptural education. Then he joined the world renowned Amarapura Mahagandhayone Teaching Monastery for his higher scriptural studies and scriptural teacher qualifications.

He has qualified for Mandalay Pariyatti Sasanahita Samane Kyaw 1st Grade and 2nd Grade, the Government held Primary, Middle and Higher Pathamapyan Examinations. He was conferred a Dhammacriya title by the Government for his qualification as a scriptural teacher. He actively participated in the following religious activities for the promotion of the Pariyatti and Patipatti Sasana: 

  • Scriptural teacher at Amarapura Mahagandhayone Kyaungdike for ten years
  • Member of the compilation committee of the Pakhokku Tipitaka Pali – Myanmar Dictionary
  • Intensive mediation practices at Yangon Mahasi Meditation Center up to the Instructor Level
  • Executive member at Nyaungkanaye Meditation Center, Yangon
  • Five years of intensive study of English and Japanese Languages at the International Buddhist Training Institute
  • Preaching and teaching Insight Meditation at various retreats in States and Divisions
  • Serving as an executive member in teaching Insight Meditation to foreign meditators at the main Mahasi Meditation Center, Yangon, Myanmar

On October 29th, 2000, he arrived at the Loka Chantha Monastery in New York on the invitation of the America Burma Buddhist Association, assigned by the Venerable U Indaka, Padhana Nayaka Sayadaw (Presiding Monk) of the Loka Chantha Monastery.