Sayadaw U Jotika talk: Tuesday 12th Jan 2010

Sayadaw U Jotika will be giving a public talk on Tuesday January 12th 2010 at Bodhgaya Hall.

Sayadaw U Jotika is well known in Bangkok, and has been an inspiration for thousands worldwide. Several books of his are available (and can be obtained at the dhamma talk in January) such as Map of the Journey, and Snow in the Summer, as well as the newest one My Mind is My Friend.

Previously living in the US Sayadaw is known worldwide, and hugely respected. He has excellent English, though the talk on the 12th will be translated into Thai also. Don’t miss this event if you can at all take the time off on Tuesday!!. Also, we expect the hall to be filled to capacity, so arrive well in time to be sure of a seat. It is very easy to get to, being close to Chit Lom BTS STation (see below for maps/directions)

Dhamma Talk

With Sayadaw U Jotika

‘Eight Worldly Winds’

Tuesday 12th January 2010

at Bodhgaya Hall, Amarin Tower

6:30 – 8:30 pm

Event is free of charge, and no need for advance booking (be early to ensure a seat though)

See here for previous blogs on Sayadaw’s talks in Bangkok, including an MP3 of his previous talk

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 is “Snow in the Summer”

Directions:

Bodhgaya Hall is in the offices of DMG Books, and is used regularly by a large Thai group of meditators. It is an excellent facility, and very convenient on the skytrain line, Chit Lom Station. The Thai group meets there every Tuesday and Wednesday.

The address is Amarin Plaza, Level 22, 496-502 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

Get out at Chit Lom Skytrain Station, and walk or take the lift (‘elevator’ to Americans) down to the ground floor of the Amarin Tower. From the ground floor, take the lift up to the 22nd floor. DMG is on the right hand side on the 22nd floor, and there is a nice coffee shop there, so you can arrive early for events and meet some of the regulars.

You cannot get up to the 22nd floor via the lift in the Amarin plaza itself. You must go to the lifts on the ground floor, to access the office block above the Amarin Plaza.

Click images below for larger versions

Or you can click the images below for an aerial view, or a skytrain map