The interview with Sayadaw will be conducted via Zoom.
Biography of Venerable Sayadaw U Kovida
Early Life and Ordination
Venerable Sayadaw U Kovida was born on July 5, 1976, in Thet Ke Gyin Village, Seik Phyu Township, in Myanmar's Magwey Division. His spiritual journey began at the young age of 14 when he was ordained as a Samanera (novice monk) in 1990. Six years later, in 1996, he received higher ordination as a Bhikkhu (fully ordained monk) at Mahāvisutārāma Monastery in Salin Township, formalizing his lifelong commitment to the Buddhist path.
Education and Academic Achievements
Sayadaw Kovida dedicated his early monastic years to intensive study of Buddhist scriptures. From 1990 to 1999, he pursued his education at Mahāvisutārāma Monastery, building a strong foundation in Buddhist texts and philosophy. Seeking further knowledge, he continued his studies at the prestigious Ma-soe-yein Monastery in Mandalay from 2000 to 2003.
His scholarly dedication bore fruit when he successfully passed the Dhammācariya teacher examination and was awarded the esteemed title of Sāsanadhaja-Dhammācariya (Dhamma Teacher). Following this achievement, he served as a teacher of Buddhist scriptures at Ma-soe-yein Monastery, sharing his knowledge with younger generations of monks.
Meditation Practice and Training
In 2006, Sayadaw Kovida's path took a significant turn toward meditation practice when he began training at the internationally renowned Pa-Auk Forest Monastery. There, he practiced under the direct guidance of the venerated Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi and received additional instruction from other distinguished teachers including Sayadaw U Kovida (Pa Khuk Ku), U Kañcana (Ye Oo), and U Revata (Mawlamyine).
Teaching Career
Sayadaw Kovida's expertise and dedication were recognized in April 2008 when Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi appointed him as a Kammaṭṭhānācariya (meditation teacher). Since receiving this honor, he has guided countless local and foreign meditators at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery's main center in Mawlamyine, Myanmar.
The Sayadaw's teaching abilities are enhanced by his multilingual fluency in Burmese and English. When necessary, he also conducts meditation interviews in Pali, demonstrating his mastery of the ancient language of Buddhist texts. Beyond meditation guidance, his teaching responsibilities at the monastery encompass various aspects of Dhamma (Buddhist teachings), Vinaya (monastic discipline), Pali language, and Burmese language instruction.
International Teaching Experience
Sayadaw Kovida has established himself as an internationally respected Dhamma teacher. His global teaching experience includes conducting meditation retreats in:
- Korea (2010)
- Latvia (2010)
- Malaysia (2013)
- Indonesia (2018)
Additionally, he has delivered Dhamma talks in:
- Singapore (2010)
- Malaysia (2011, 2013)
- China (2013)
- Taiwan (2013)
- Thailand (2015)
- Indonesia (multiple visits since 2013, including teaching at Dhammadāyāda Vihāra in Medan in 2017 and 2018)
Legacy and Impact
Through his combination of scholarly knowledge and meditation expertise, Sayadaw U Kovida has become an important figure in the Pa-Auk tradition's international growth. His ability to communicate the Dhamma effectively in multiple languages has made the profound teachings of this meditation lineage accessible to practitioners worldwide. As a respected Kammaṭṭhānācariya who continues to teach both at Pa-Auk's main monastery and internationally, his influence extends far beyond Myanmar's borders, helping to preserve and propagate the ancient practices of samatha (concentration) and vipassana (insight) meditation in their traditional forms.