About Ashin Ariyadhamma

Ashin Ariyadhamma was born on May 15, 1960, to U Tun Mhin and Daw Po (Mhinpo Rice mill) in Kyaung Gone village, Toungoo Township, Bago Division, Myanmar, as the third of their four sons. 

He studied at Kyaung Gone State Primary School, Nat Sin Gone State High School, No. 1 State High School in Toungoo, Bago Regional College, and Rangoon University. In 1980, he received his Diploma in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry from Bago Regional College and B.Sc degree in Zoology from Yangon Arts and Science University in 1982.

Ashin Ariyadhamma was fully ordained as a monk with Venerable Ashin Pannacakka (Aggamaha Kammatthanacariya) as a preceptor on October 19, 1986. He received his early monastic education at Mahagandhayon Monastery in Amarapura for four years, where he served in the Registrar's Office, and at Shwe Hin Tha monastery in Sagaing Hills for five years, where he also taught. He also gave meditation instruction at Thaung Gone Sasana Yeiktha and Zephupin Sasana Yeiktha. 

In 1993 and 1995, Ashin Ariyadhamma passed the Higher Pali and Nikaya Examinations, respectively. He also practiced Vipassana meditation in various meditation centers, including Thaung Gone Sasana Yeiktha, Zephupin Sasana Yeiktha, Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, Tawgu Yeiktha, Theingu Yeiktha, Mahabodhi Yeiktha, Dhammaduta Centre, and Igatpuri Centre (India).

In 1995, Ashin Ariyadhamma began studies at the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) in Sagaing Hills, in English under the guidance of its founder Sitagu Sayadaw. 

In 1996 he also became a lecturer at SIBA, and in 1998 undertook further studies in India, wherein 2000, he received Master of Arts in Philosophy and Diploma in Buddhism from Bombay University. Upon returning to Myanmar he became the Assistant Registrar at SIBA and then, in 2002, Assistant Rector.

In 2003, Ashin Ariyadhamma moved to the United States for the propagation of the Buddhasasana, initially residing at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Vihara in Miramar, Florida. In December 2004 he moved to the Sitagu Buddha Vihara in Austin, Texas, as abbot, where he has overseen the Sitagu Shwe Si Khom Pagoda project under the auspices of Sitagu Sayadaw. From his home base in America, he has given Dhamma Talks in English, Burmese, and Pali throughout the United States and abroad. During this time he also completed his doctoral thesis, entitled "A Comparative Study of Meditation in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra and Buddhist Text" and received the Doctor of Philosophy from Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University.

In recognition of his missionary work abroad Dr. Ashin Ariyadhamma was honored with the title of "Aggamahasaddhammajotikadhaja" by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on the 71st Myanmar Independence Day, on January 4, 2019.

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