WE’RE very happy to announce that Sayadaw U Jotika will give an English only talk for us on Tuesday 1st February at the BIA:
Sayadaw U Jotika
“Buddhism is the Religion of Freedom”
at the BIA
Tuesday 1st February
Previously living in the US Sayadaw is known worldwide, and hugely respected. He has excellent English, and a warm and gentle style of speaking. His talks are continually the most visited/downloaded pages on our Little Bangkok Sangha blog. Be very sure not to miss this all too rare chance. Sayadaw only comes to Thailand once a year….
He will be giving a talk on the 27th at DMG in English with Thai translation, on the same topic. Because the DMG hall was over filled last time (about 800 people went) we have split the English language talk to a different day/venue. If you are not Thai speaking please only come to the English event, so that there is room for all Thai Participants on the 27th.
Dhamma Talk
With Sayadaw U Jotika
Event is free of charge, and no need for advance booking
5:30 – 6:30 Evening Chanting
6:30 – 6:45 break, gather
6:50 – 8:00 Talk on “Buddhism is the Religion of Freedom”
8:00 – 8:30 Questions
8:30 offerings to Sayadaw (who has several charities for the underprivileged in Burma)
If you cannot make the evening chanting at 5:30 you’re welcome to come for 6:30. Talk will start promptly as outlined though.
Sayadaw U Jotika: Born into a non-Buddhist family in Moulmein, Myanmar (Burma) on August 5, 1947. His parents were U Sattar and Daw Tin. He received his basic education at a Roman Catholic missionary school. During his younger days, he didn’t believe in any organized religion although he studied and exposed himself to many different religions, as well as western philosophy and psychology.
He graduated as an Electrical Engineer in 1973 from Rangoon Institute of Technology. He became very interested in Buddhist meditation. He discovered that life was unsatisfactory and majority of the people devoted their precious time mainly in gathering wealth, enjoying sensual pleasures, fame, power and position.
Thus, he decided to leave behind his family and became a “Samenera” (Novice) at the age of 26. He was ordained as a “Samgha” in 1974 at Taung Pu Lu Tawya, Meiktila with Ven. Taung Pu Lu Sayadaw as his preceptor. He practiced meditation under the guidance of the late Ven. Taung Pu Lu Sayadaw for (3) years. He continued to practice meditation with Htantabin Tawya Sayadaw for (15) years.
Ven. Jotika visited Melbourne in 1977 and again in 1998. He was in the United States in 1983-84 for about (16) months, conducting Dhamma talks in Santa Cruz, New York, Boston and Washington. He had visited Singapore several times on Dhamma Duta missions as well.
He has established a monastery in a rural environment overlooking a great lake near Pago, (50) miles north of Yangon. His Dhamma talks and books are in great demand in Myanmar as well as with overseas Burmese. He has published about (13) titles so far. One of his popular Dhamma book in English can be downloaded here : “Snow in the Summer”
Click here for previous posts on Sayadaw
Sayadaw U Jotika; download MP3 “Praise and Blame”:
Sayadaw U Jotika; download MP3 “I have no home”
Location
This event is at the brand new Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives in Suan Rot Fai, near Mor Chit BTS station.
This is the branch of Suan Mokh where the famous Buddhadasa Bhikkhu lived and taught for many years, and which is still a majour item on the spiritual tourism of Thailand agenda.
The place is beautiful, and vast. Overlooking the parklands near Mor Chit BTS, the complex includes a library, book shop, huge verandah overhanging the lake, and lots of art and sculpture. In following years this place will definitely become the most vital centre of Buddhism in Bangkok. Expect a lot of great events to happen here.
Directions:
Go to Mor Chit BTS Station and walk through the park for about 20 minutes. Motorcycles are an option – but come on, you could do with the exercise, and it is a lovely park! You can also take a taxi from the BTS for about 45 baht. MRT users can go to Chatuchak Station or Pahonyothin station exit 3 (which is a slightly closer, but less pleasant walk)
click the map to enlarge
For those with navigation equipment, or curiosity/google earth – the coordinates are :
13°48’58.47″ N 100°33’30.76″ E