Here is a small piece I wrote for a book that will come out in honor of Ven Sayadaw Kumarabhivamsa’s 50th birthday.
I mean every word. If you are looking to go to Asia to meditate. I don’t know any other teacher that could be better besides the Chief monk, The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Saydawgyi. If you don’t get involved in politics, and you fly direct to Mandalay.. I think things will be fine but I cannot guarantee things.
The Rare Chance to Come In Contact With a Great Teacher
By American Bhante Subhūti, 2025
“Dullabho Buddhuppādo lokasmiṁ.
Dullabho manussatta-paṭilābho.
Dullabhā khaṇa-sampatti.
Dullabhā pabbajjā.
Dullabhaṁ Saddhamma-savaṇaṁ.
Dullabho sappurisa-saṁsevo.”
Rare is it that Buddhas arise in the world.
Rare is it that [one] obtains a human [birth].
Rare is it to have the good fortune of [being in the right] time [and place].
Rare is it [that one has the opportunity] to take the Going forth.
Rare is it [that one has the opportunity] to listen to the Dhamma.
Rare is it [that one has the opportunity] to associate with good people. ”
Good teachers are rare and finding one fluent in English is even rarer. We are blessed to have The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw with us for so long, and as long as he lives, he will continue to teach Dhamma, for that is his way. However, new teachers are needed because Sayadagyi or any monk cannot live forever.
Although Venerable Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa knew me for many years before I knew him, I recall him from 2012 when the first Pyin Oo Lwin retreat was scheduled. Later, the Pa-Auk Pyin Oo Lwin extension was built from the ground up as a “perfect” monastery for foreigners who have difficulties with the food and weather. Despite a shortage of teachers for the Pa-Auk method, especially those fluent in English, Sayadawgyi is meticulous in selecting teachers. Choosing Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa reflects these high standards The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi has set for his legacy to come.
Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa is not merely a meditation teacher of the Pa-Auk method. He is also a monk who has passed enough exams to earn the title abhivaṃsa. With the exception of a tipiṭakadhara (one who memorizes much of the three baskets), the abhivaṃsa exams are the highest in Myanmar. Sometimes six titles are awarded yearly, often fewer, from a pool of 250,000 monks aspiring to pass. For monastic academic standards, Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa ranks at the top, just below tipiṭakadhara. Few achieve higher.
This high competency extends to meditation too. Many standards and methods exist, but the Pa-Auk method encompasses all. Actually, there are no “different” methods—only the classical Theravāda method rooted in the Abhidhamma and commentaries. The Pa-Auk method teaches paramattha (ultimate realities) to attain all vipassanā insight knowledges, leading to Nibbāna. No other method is as complete or encompassing. It aligns with the ancient Theravāda elders, based on the Suttas, Abhidhamma, and commentaries. The Most Venerable Saydawgyi has chosen Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa for this task.
Another critical element for practice is following the Vinaya (monastic rules) with its commentary explanations. Today, few monasteries adhere to the Vinaya, even to the basic ten precepts of a novice monk, the tenth being not accepting money. The Vinaya is profound. When commentary interpretations close derived loopholes, we are left with not just the 227 rules but, as the saying goes, over nine billion vinaya rules. Many monasteries that once followed Vinaya lost the tradition after their root teacher’s death. If one looks closely, “under the hood” at non-Pa-Auk monasteries that still uphold Vinaya, often they will see there is a Pa-Auk connection. The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi has created a tradition that upholds Vinaya during his life and will continue after his passing. Selecting a Sayadaw for Pyin Oo Lwin required not only top academic and meditation knowledge but also practical and applied Vinaya expertise. Without proper Vinaya, there is no samādhi. Without samādhi, there is no paññā (wisdom or Nibbāna). Furthermore, without proper Vinaya, there cannot be proper ordination halls or procedures for ordaining new upasampadā (fully ordained monks). Without Vinaya knowledge, recoverable offenses cannot be rectified. Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa possesses both academic and practical Vinaya knowledge, ensuring morality leads to calmness of mind, which leads to wisdom and liberation.
Lastly, not every knowledgeable person speaks English fluently. Not every English speaker teaches smoothly. Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa excels in giving public talks, transmitting knowledge of sīla, samādhi, and paññā. He shares textual knowledge to large audiences, inspiring them to follow Dhamma or even ordain as Theravāda bhikkhus. I recognized these qualities long ago and am proud to have started Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa’s YouTube channel, now very successful with nearly 3000 subscribers and close to 500 uploaded videos.
Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa’s selection by The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi to lead the Pa-Auk Pyin Oo Lwin Extension was no accident or by luck—it was the fruit of his past kamma and his sincere hard work in this life, which continues today. We wish Sayadaw Kumārabhivaṃsa well on his birthday and many more years to come.