Sunlun Biography-Preface.Pdf
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Preface The Venerable Sunlun Sayadaw U Kawi was born at Sunlun village, Myingyan Township in Myanmar, formerly Burma. In his early years, he worked as an office messenger in a Government Office. Later, in his thirties, his earnings as such was not sufficient to support his family, so he resigned from Government service and went to work in farming. He prospered as a farmer, made charitable acts offering candle lights at the village pagoda where he made noble wishes to be able to devote his life as a bhikkhu to propagate Dhamma. Because of a prophetical oracle, and because of his rapidly ascending prosperity in a short period of time (which was taken as an unlucky omen in local custom), he became apprehensive (Samvega) of Samsara, the unending rounds of births. So he started to practice Insight Meditation (Vipassana) diligently and by the end of twelve months’ time, his Insight and Wisdom got developed so high, he renounced the layman world leaving behind his wife, children, his property and all kinds of bonds and attachments, entering the Order of Samgha as a novice (Samanera). On the eighth day after becoming a novice, he reached the forth and final stage of Enlightenment rid of any defilements (Asava), and became an Arahat, a true son and disciple of the Buddha. He was then ordained as a full fledged bhikkhu and for thirty one years he preached and guided his many disciples along the Path to Nibbana with the unique method of Vipassana Practice to realize the four Noble Truths. And in 1952, on the 17th of May, Saturday, (9th waning day of Kasone, 1314 M.E.) at 4:55 p.m., for many, like the glorious sun setting into the west horizon, the most Venerable Sunlun Sayadaw passed away into Nibba‚na, the bliss supreme domain of the Buddhas, Paccekabuddhas and Ariyas. The Venerable U Soban™a was the Vice-presiding Abbot of Sunlun Gu Kyaung Monastery, Myingyan. He had looked after the Venerable Sunlun Sayadaw U Kawi who had trusted him with his life. The Venerable U Soban™a realized the invaluable teachings of the Sunlun Sayadaw. Knowing the method to be the shortest and most straight foreword of all Vipassana Practice, he prepared to make public for all those who are seriously interested. He put together the teachings in its original format and together with photos and illustrations, he published this biography of the Venerable Sunlun Sayadaw U Kawi. All the net surplus derived from the sales proceed of this published book are to be solely used for the maintenance of the Than Tha-yar Aye Pagoda where the remains of the Sunlun Sayadaw lies in state, and for the propagation of Sunlun Vipassana Meditation founded by the Venerable Sayadaw. As such, it is seriously hoped that no unauthorized publication of this book will ever takes place. .