About the author in brief
Ashin Kelasa was born in February 12, 1966. He finished High School at the age of 15. He entered Mandalay University majoring Mathematics, studied for four years and finished at the age of 22. He was graduated in Mathematics. However, his interest was philosophy and he enjoyed writing philosophical poems in his young life. He was a difficult boy for his father because he did not accept his father’s suggestions easily. His mother died when he was about 8 years old. His mother’s death was a great impact on his life to learn meditation.
He entered meditation center for learning how to live with the mind of missing late mother after his university at the age of his 23. The meditation center named Mahasi was a very well known all over the country. After six months’ practice of Vipassana meditation, he wanted to become a monk. He let his father know that he wanted to become a monk. He was ordained after six months’ meditation practice in meditation center. He spent only for one month in the center after his ordination. Then, he was sent by his preceptor, U Ñāna, one of Mahasi known preacher around the country to Mahagandhayon monastery in where he could learn more about Buddhist philosophy in Pāli language.
He was accepted by Ashin Kundalabhivamsa, most venerable one of Nāyakas (chiefs of the monastery) at that time. He has studied his Pali lessons for almost ten years and has been trained in good discipline by strict masters of Mahagandhayon monastery. He was also offered to be in charge of foreigners who want to study meditation and Pali lessons in Mahagandhayon monastery by Mahānāyakas (Most Venerable Ones).
He was in charge of foreigners in Mahagandhayon for almost 12 years. He has been experienced with foreign students from both eastern and western countries. He has taught English and Philosophy for almost 10 years in Mahagandhayon monastery. However, he has not lost his interest of Vipassana meditation practice yet. So for his meditation, he moved to the forest in southern Shan State, Myanmar in 2003.
He founded Thisarmyain (the Voice of Truth) Buddhist Forest Tradition. He meditated for himself and out of compassion he opened 7 days’ meditation retreat for the people twice a year in the forest: one in April and another in October. For the rest of the year, he was practicing meditation alone without accepting people. With his great compassion, he accepted foreigners who wanted to practice meditation seriously any time they wanted because of time and language’s difficulty. He spoke excellent English. Now he spent in the forest most of the time for meditation.
However, in 2014, he was officially invited by Sadhana Yoga organization in Italy and Spain because the two gentlemen, Carlos and Ricardo came to meet him to discuss on Vipassanā meditation. Ricardo came back to Ashin to learn Vipassanā with him after meeting him. He spent with Ashin just more than 3 days and did a bit of meditation. Anyway, Ashin’s Vipassanā meditation trip to Europe was made by these two gentlemen. He spent in Italy and Spain to teach Vipassanā from April 28 to June 5, 2014 and conducted Vipassanā retreat for both countries. Of course, conferences were given on Vipassana all over the two countries in many cities.
This year, from February 14 to March 2, 2016, Ashin had to go to Beijing, China again to teach Vipassana meditation in Beijing business and educated community. Of course, it was not an easy thing to do any kind of religious activity in China. However, Ashin’s Dhamma trip to China was quite fine.
Ashin wrote some books on Buddhist philosophy in English. These books are: (1). “How Meditation Can Help, (2). Buddhist Thoughts In The World Situation Today, (3). Social Guides of Buddhism, (4). Buddhist Philosophy on Married Life, (5). Buddhism and Democracy, (6). They and I In My Dhamma Trip to Europe, (7). Buddhism as a Remedy, (8). Human Being, Judgment and Vipassanā”.
Publication board
Mahagandhayon monastery
Amarapura
Myanmar (Burma)