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reface

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

bhikkhuto 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 startedto 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 Samghaas 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 bhikkhuand for thirty one years he

preached and guided his many disciples along the Path to Nibbanawith 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 Nibbana, the bliss supreme domain of the Buddhas, Paccekabuddhas

and Ariyas.

The Venerable U Sobana 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 Sobana realized the invaluable teachings

of the Sunlun Sayadaw. Knowing the method to be the shortest and most straight

foreword of all VipassanaPractice, he prepared to make public for all those who are

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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.