The Ven. Sayadaw U Silananda (1927-2005) was born in Mandalay, Burma. He became a novice monk in 1943; four years later he received higher ordination. A natural scholar, by 1948 he had passed all three of the Government Pali examinations. In the next six years he received two more advanced scholarly degrees. In 1954-56 he served as one of the distinguished editors of the Tipitaka and Commentaries at the Sixth Buddhist Council in Rangoon. In 1979 he traveled to the US with Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw to teach meditation and Dhamma, after which he stayed on to continue teaching. He served as Spiritual Advisor of the Theravada Buddhist Society of America and was Spiritual Director of four other Buddhist centers across the country. He passed away peacefully on 13 August 2005. (From The Dhamma Encyclopedia)

Biography

Sayadaw U Silananda was born in Mandalay, Burma (now known as Myanmar) on Friday, December 16, 1927 (the 8th Waning of the month of Nadaw in Burmese Era 1289) of parents Wunna Kyaw Htin Saya Saing and Daw Mone. Saya Saing was a renowned Burmese architect. (See "Work of Saya Saing") and had to his credit many religious buildings throughout the country. He was a very religious man and a meditator as well. He was awarded the title "Wunna Kyaw Htin" by the Government of Burma for his outstanding achievements in Burmese architecture and religious activities.

Two brothers of Sayadaw are also prominent Burmese architects. His two nephews are graduate architects of RIT. His brother U Ngwe Hlaing was the chief designer and his nephew U Than Tun is co-designer of the "Karaweik" in Kandawgyi (Royal Lake), Rangoon.

Sayadaw also comes from a highly religious family. His sister is Daw Thandasari, Chief Nun of "Shwe-se-di Sar-thin-daik" of "Sasanapala Choung" in Sagaing Hills.

Born in 1927 in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Ordained a novice at age 16 and received his higher ordination in 1947.

Studied under many renowned Sayadaws both in Sagaing and Mandalay. Profoundly brilliant and excels in numerous religious examination where he was conferred prestigious titles in 1950 and 1954. In 1954 he went to Sri Lanka and passed with distinctions in Pali and Sanskrit the GCE Advanced Level Examination (University of London in Sri Lanka). Lectured at Atothokdayone Pali Unviersity in Sagaing Hills, Buddhist Scriptures, Pali, Sanskrit and Prakit languages at Abhayarama Shwegu Taik monastery, Mandalay and was an External Examiner at the Department of Oriental Studies, Arts and Science University, Mandalay for Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Lectured M.A. (Pali) students at Mandalay University, and gave guest lectures at University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University.

He was the Chief Compiler of the Tipitaka Pali-Burmese Dictionary and was one of the distinguished editors of the Pali Canon and the associated Commentaries at the Sixth Buddhist Council (1954-56), Member of the Advisory Board of Meditation Teachers of Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha in Yangon (1993), Rector of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University of Yangon (1999).
 
Inherited the Mahavijjodaya Chaung and became the abbot (1960), abbot of Abhyarama Shwegu Taik monastery, cofounder and Spiritual Advisor of Theravada Buddhist Society of America, founder Abbot of the Dhammananda Vihara, Spiritual Director of Dhammachakka Meditation Center, California; Bodhi Tree Dhamma Center, Florida; Society for Advancement of Buddhism in, Florida; Tathagata Meditation Center, California. His outstanding missionary contributions earned him many prestigious titles from Burma.

Accompanied Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw during their visit to California (1979). Conducts meditation retreat internationally. And amid his busy schedules, Sayadaw has authored many English books, apart from those in the Burmese language. Sayadaw has also extensively revised and edited a translation of "Abhidhamma in Daily Life" by Sayadaw U Janakabhivamsa.

Half Moon Bay, CA (USA) -- Venerable Sayadaw U Silananda passed away peacefully on August 13, 2005 at 7:24 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, USA) as a result of a brain tumor. He was 78.

Sayadaw U Silananda, 1927- 2005

U Silananda, a Burmese monk, is the Spiritual Advisor of the Theravada Buddhist Society of America, which has a large center in Half Moon Bay, CA. He also is the Spiritual Director of centers in Berkeley and San Jose in California, and in Florida. He teaches in both English and Burmese.

Sayadaw U Jotalanka expressed the loss of his distinguished mentor Sayadaw U Silananda. "We have lost an irreplacable sayadaw, who is world renown for his prowess in pariyatti, paripatti, and pariveda. I first studied under him in Manadalay from 1970 - 74. I wanted to continue my studies, but I was assigned to be a chief monk of my local monastery. With Sayadaw U Silananda's recommendation, I was later sent to Japan to do sasana work. Later, Sayadaw asked me join at the Dhammananda Vihara. [Details can be found in the preface of my books.] We all feel sad, but we should learn invaluable dhamma lessons through Sayadaw's sickness and demise: that 'everyone has to face the ultimate realities such as death'. We should try our best to carry on Sayadaw's legacy such as teaching and practising dhamma."

In his obituary, Sayadaw U Sobana (aged 84), said, "I first met Sayadaw U Silananda at Kaba Aye (World Peace Pagoda) in 1952 when preparations were being made for the Sixth Buddhist Council. I was sent to Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1953 to do sasana work. Sayadaw U Silananda joined me in 1954 and he studied in Colombo until 1956. He treated me as an elder brother, and occasionally sought advice. [I was in Bangkok, Thailand for some time doing sasana work.] Sayadaw invited me to Dhammananda Vihara [then in Daly City in the early days]. Over the years, I have found Sayadaw to be extremely contented. ... His wish would be to have 'simple rites' and not to have elaborate ceremonies. We should try to carry on his legacy."

U Myat Htoo, President of TBSA, and Dr. Than Htay, Sayadaw's nephew, gave detailed accounts of Sayadaw's last days. Sayadaw's health has deteriorated in the past few days. Several organs (liver, kidney, ...) started to malfunction. Even though Sayadaw has no history of diabetes, the blood sugar level had risen considerably due to side effect of the medications. After consulting with the specialists, U
Myat Htoo and Dr. Than Htay requested Sayadaw to be relocated from ICU [which had restrictions regarding visitation hours] to a private room so that Sayadaw can wear the yellow robes and have his head shaved and more devotees can pay respect more freely. Sayadaw continued to have
the "life support" and medications.

The Sayadaws and several devotees later donated to the "Funeral Fund". Funeral services will be held for members of the public to pay their last respect to the late Sayadaw from August 21 to 27, 2005.