Resident Monks
This page provides background information (i.e. nationality, ordination date, age) about monks residing or having resided at SBS Monk Training Centre.
After some initial hesitation we decided to also include information about specific qualities and interests of these monks, so as to highlight the variety of characters, inclinations and lifestyles found within the Bhikkhusaṅgha, which is much more diverse than one would otherwise expect. This is not to say that these beautiful qualities are found only in monks staying at SBS. Neither is it to imply that exclusively positive qualities are found in them. However, in keeping with Sappurisasutta (AN 4.73) and Dutiyaāghātapaṭivinayasutta (AN 5.162) we choose to focus particularly on the positive qualities, so as to be inspired to cultivate these qualities in ourselves (monastics and laity alike) whenever there is an opportunity.
This page may also be of interest for regular morning dāna visitors to SBS and its parent body “Taiping Insight Meditation Society (TIMS)”, to provide an introduction of each monk even without personal interaction with him.
CURRENT RESIDENTS
Āyasmā Aggacitta
FOUNDER AND SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR OF SBS
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 29.12.1979
Born: 1954
Pāli scholar, Dhamma practitioner, writer, innovative educator using interactive and experiential approaches; initiated in Malaysia mindful hiking retreats and sutta workshops on topics related to meditation and application of introspective mindfulness in daily life; master of the Vinaya; a self-confessed “truth seeker at heart and Theravāda monk by circumstance”
(click pic for more info)
Āyasmā Ariyadhammika
SAṄGHAṆĀYAKA AND DEPUTY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR OF SBS
Nationality: Austrian
Ordained: 14.07.2005
Born: 1976
Knowledgeable and passionate about suttas and Early Buddhism; Vinaya expert; Pātimokkha reciter; extensive familiarity with meditation methods, as well as customs, practices and interpretations of the DhammaVinaya prevalent in the three main Theravāda countries, having spent five years in Burma, three years in Thailand and three years in Sri Lanka
(click pic for more info)
Āyasmā Sumana
Nationality: Sinhalese
Ordained: 24.01.2006
Born: 1985
Vinaya and Abhidhamma expert; author of several Dhamma books; humble; soft-spoken; Pātimokkha reciter; excels in contentment and kindness
Āyasmā Subharo
Nationality: Canadian
Ordained: 30.10.2008
Born: 1976
Enjoys seclusion; reasonable; high willingness to evaluate his own views and preferences in the light of the Buddha’s teachings and then adapt accordingly; can explain complex matters clearly
Āyasmā Guttacitta
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 18.10.2009
Born: 1967
Seasoned meditator; conscientious; respectful; polite; ex Mahayana monk; extraordinary khanti in relation to physical pain; good sewing skills
Sayadaw U Khaymainda
Nationality: Myanmar
Ordained: 28.12.2009
Born: 1970
Very fluent Pātimokkha reciter (min. 28 min.); highly adaptable; easy to get along with; keen meditator; self-reliant; conscientious; has spartan needs
Āyasmā Rāhula
Nationality: Mexican
Ordained: 08.11.2015
Born: 1983
Abhidhamma expert; skilled speaker and educator; open-minded; good-natured; excels in gratitude towards teachers and supporters; passionate about Dhamma; high in curiosity
Āyasmā Devamitta
Nationality: Russian
Ordained: 20.06.2017
Born: 1988
Strong interest in Dhamma and meditation from the perspective of Early Buddhism; keen in Pāli studies; is eager to learn and willing to share the Dhamma; excels in openness; is known to be honest, articulate and humorous
Āyasmā Upekkhādhammika
Nationality: South Korean
Ordained: 14.04.2019
Born: 1982
Familiarity with many meditation teachers and their methods; intend on avoiding extremes and maintaining inner balance; a monk of few wishes who can live simply and in any environment; helpful and soft spoken
Āyasmā Pāladhammika
Nationality: American
Ordained: 14.04.2019
Born: 1994
Of endearing personality; caring and reliable; humble; keen on sutta studies and their comparison with the āgamas and other early Buddhist texts; interest in Pāli pronunciation; delights in forest dwellings
Āyasmā Dhammasudassī
Nationality: American
Ordained: 18.06.2019
Born: 1978
Knowledgeable and highly conscientious in the Vinaya; intellectually curious; non-sectarian in his approach to DhammaVinaya; English language expert
Āyasmā Pamodadhammika
Nationality: French
Ordained: 24.05.2020
Born: 1981
Seasoned meditator with strong foundation in the Goenka technique; keen practitioner as well as teacher of Nonviolent Communication (by Marshall Rosenberg); can speak Mandarin and now also studying Pāli; enjoys a simple and austere lifestyle in nature; can organize and manage projects if necessary; excels in open mindedness
Āyasmā Vimuttadhammika
Nationality: Dutch
Ordained: 24.05.2020
Born: 1991
Of friendly and open personality; caring and reliable; energetic and diligent in meditation, as well as in the fulfillment of monastic duties; excels in quick wittedness and firm grasp of the Vinaya within a short period of time; lucid speaker and writer of the Dhamma; of helpful nature
Āyasmā Khemadhammika
Nationality: Czech
Ordained: 03.04.2021
Born: 1987
Friendly and kind; quick witted and strong in logic and reason; one of the few to whom tranquility of mind comes easy; witty when in company, yet a serious meditator
Āyasmā Paññādhammika
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 22.10.2021
Born: 1989
Broad Dhamma knowledge; avid reader; science background; can explain the Dhamma through the lens of modern Physics; emphasizes the ethical value of (voluntary) veganism; excels in patience
Āyasmā Upālidhammika
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 21.05.2022
Born: 1998
Highly interested in monastic training and discipline; skilled reciter of the Pātimokkha; managed to memorize the entire SBS Recitation book in record-time; humorous; helpful and loyal in nature
PAST RESIDENTS
Sayadaw U Thawbita
Nationality: Myanmar
Ordained: 1982
Born: 1960
Lived alone in a cave for 30+ years. Enjoys seclusion, reading Pāli canonical texts in Pāli and Myanmar translation, and meditation; is inclined to memorise and recite preferred Pāli passages
Sayadaw U Nandaka
Nationality: Myanmar
Ordained: 28.04.1987
Born: 1967
Knowledgeable in the DhammaVinaya; good practitioner and well known Dhamma teacher in Myanmar; quiet; conscientious; polite conduct; contented
Āyasmā Mahāñāno
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 21.04.1988
Born: 1956
Well integrated in the Thai forest tradition; authored Pāli-Chinese translations; speaks English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Thai and Malay; productive; good sewing skills and sewing teacher; enjoys seclusion
Āyasmā Kusala
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 26.12.1996
Born: 1959
Upholds the ideal of a homeless monk who doesn’t attach to places; a reliable source concerning developments and trends in the Malaysian Saṅgha and for fostering good relationships among its monasteries and communities
Āyasmā Guttapala
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 16.06.1997
Born: 1971
Has good social network among monks in Malaysia; open to various methods of spiritual practice
Āyasmā Kumāra
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 23.07.1999
Born: 1972
Dhamma speaker and writer. Dhamma coach. Self-taught counsellor. Speaks English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, and Malay
(click pic for more info)
Āyasmā Saṅgāmaji
Nationality: Austrian
Ordained: 27.06.2000
Born: 1974
Love and respect for the Dhamma; good knowledge of the Suttas; interest in a simple lifestyle, meditation, training of the mind, and modern psychology wherever it can support the Buddhist path to liberation
Āyasmā Sambodhi
Nationality: Czech
Ordained: 15.07.2000
Born: 1965
Highly conscientious; earnest meditator; enjoys seclusion; can memorize and recite the Pātimokkha; has practiced the Dhamma in many countries and traditions
Sayadaw U Kumarra
Nationality: Myanmar
Ordained: 12.05.2001
Born: 1969
Experienced in conducting Buddhist ceremonies & rites; good reciter of Pāli texts
Āyasmā Ṭhitavijjo
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 07.07.2004
Born: 1972
Highly conscientious; earnest meditator; good Pāli and Dhamma knowledge; penchant for memorising and chanting Pāli passages; Pātimokkha reciter
Āyasmā Balacitta
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 08.08.2004
Born: 1964
Strong advocate and good example of a monk who prefers simple accommodations and lifestyle; enjoys seclusion; endeavours to follow the “original teaching of the Buddha” as he understands it through his study of the Pāli Nikāyas; Pātimokkha reciter
Āyasmā Dhammananda
Nationality: American
Ordained: 19.08.2005
Born: 1957
Pātimokkha reciter; very accurate Pāli pronunciation; conscientious; passionate outgoing personality
The late Āyasmā Meghacitta
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 12.05.2009
Born: 1970
Deceased: 22.08.2017
Highly conscientious; strong in effort; Pātimokkha reciter; frugal; orderly; meticulous; obliging
Āyasmā Visuddha
Nationality: South Korean
Ordained: 14.06.2009
Born: 1977
Friendly; adaptable to circumstances; independent; especially resourceful in IT
Āyasmā Upasama
Nationality: German
Ordained: 18.06.2009
Born: 1970
Extraordinary commitment to the holy life; enjoys seclusion and warm climate; a man of few words, but with a big heart; helpful, polite and responsive to suggestions; likes to memorize and chant Pāli texts, which is one of the rare occasions to hear his voice
Āyasmā Sugathasiri
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Ordained: 19.06.2009
Born: 1986
Can remain in good spirits even when sick; strong practice orientation; good Sutta background; flexible; very likable due to open-mindedness and general cheerfulness
Āyasmā Sampajaññacitta
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 18.10.2009
Born: 1958
Respectful; hospitable; enjoys simplicity, nature and seclusion; enthusiastic in selflessly sharing the good things he discovered in his practice
Āyasmā Bodhicitta
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 18.10.2009
Born: 1984
Independent thinker with a leaning towards innovative ways of practice; enjoys seclusion
Āyasmā Sallekho
Nationality: Canadian
Ordained: 19.07.2010
Born: 1982
At his first Uposatha after ordination A. Sallekho already recited the Pātimokkha himself; keen in Pāli studies; good language skills (fluency in English, Thai, Chinese); enjoys living in the forest; experienced at giving guidance to junior novices and monks; knowledgeable in the Vinaya; keen in learning new skills
Āyasmā Nārada
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Ordained: 18.06.2011
Born: 1959
Very fluent Pātimokkha reciter; keen interest in Dhamma and meditation; humble, friendly and easygoing personality; contented and easily satisfied
Āyasmā Candana
Nationality: Australian
Ordained: 12.05.2012
Born: 1965
Values anonymity
Āyasmā Viveka
Nationality: Canadian
Ordained: 21.12.2013
Born: 1976
Excels in openness and creative approaches to the Dhamma; introduced “Insight Dialogue” to SBS; values harmony in the Saṅgha and a good cup of coffee (sometimes the latter may support the former); inspiring speaker and educator
Āyasmā Sudanto
Nationality: South Korean
Ordained: 18.10.2014
Born: 1969
Keen in meditation and great familiarity with the teachings and practices of Luang Ta Maha Bua; helpful, adaptable, respectful
Āyasmā Nirodha
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 10.04.2016
Born: 1977
Conscientious; diligent in meditation; self-reliant; helpful
Āyasmā Ṭhānuttamo
Nationality: German
Ordained: 09.07.2016
Born: 1987
Diligent and productive; keen in Pāḷi grammar and tipiṭaka/aṭṭhakathā/ṭīkā reading; passionate about traditional root Vinaya observance and practice in quiet, lonely forests; particular interest in the Paṭisambhidāmagga; complementary interest also in Buddhist history and Western Psychology
Āyasmā Nanda
Nationality: Czech
Ordained: 08.07.2019
Born: 1983
Practitioner of open awareness with bent towards introspective contemplation; has high regard for the Vinaya and can grasp complex matters quickly; keen practitioner of Insight Dialogue (by Gregory Kramer); very helpful and diligent in nature
Āyasmā Chandasota
Nationality: Malaysian
Ordained: 05.10.2019
Born: 1960
Kind-hearted and soft-spoken; good team player; of caring and helpful character
Āyasmā Yogadhammika
Nationality: American
Ordained: 24.05.2020
Born: 1986
Soft spoken and gentle; keen on fostering equanimity and ‘letting go’; a monk of few wishes and a large degree of contentment; values naturalness and non-interference as a means for his personal wellbeing
Āyasmā Kappadhammika
Nationality: American
Ordained: 24.05.2020
Born: 1987
Good Dhamma knowledge due to his liking for sutta studies; knows from personal experience the dangers of sensuality and has strong commitment towards the ending of saṁsāra; free thinker with a distaste for orthodoxy
