Sayadaw U Tejaniya
Sayadaw U Tejaniya lived as a householder running a textile business until age thirty-six, which is atypical for Sayadaws in Myanmar. At various intervals during his pre-monastic life he studied intensively with Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw, a highly venerated figure who was one of the first meditation teachers trained by Mahasi Sayadaw. Sayadaw Tejaniya feels that because of his experience developing his practice while leading the life of a householder, he understands both the challenges yogis face in integrating their meditation practice with their everyday lives and how to overcome them. Another notable episode in his life was his struggle with two major episodes of clinical depression, which he credits with providing the motivation to develop his skills at mental self-investigation (Dhamma vicaya) to an extraordinary level.
Sayadaw U Jotika
Sayadaw U Jotika was born on 17th of Feb, 1959. He has one older brother, one younger brother and two younger sisters. Sayadaw grew up in Ngazun Village in Sagaing Region, Upper Myanmar. Sayadaw U Jotika’s village Sayadaw was a friend of the Okan Tawya Monastery Sayadaw, Sayadaw U Nandobhasa in Monywa, and at the age of 12 years old, he was sent there to become a novice koyin. He remained a disciple of Sayadaw U Nandobhasa until he passed his Dhammachariya level exams. During the time of studying for his Dhammacariya exams, U Jotika stayed at a small village Oo Yin Monastery, Yankin Hill, Mandalay The head monk of Oo Yin Monastery, Sayadaw U Kusala, was impressed with U Jotika’s conduct and observing much potential in him, he wished to pass his monastery onto U Jotika. The small village Oo Yin Monastery was to be developed into what is now known as Oo Yin Pariyatti (Sar Thin Taik) Monastery, which now has over 450 monks and novice monks.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
Ajahn Buddhadasa (1906–93) is perhaps the most influential Buddhist teacher in the history of Thailand. In 1932 he founded Suan Mokkhablarama, the first modern forest monastery in Thailand. During his lifetime he was given eight honorary doctorates by Thai universities. Since the 1960s his work helped inspire a new generation of socially concerned individuals both in Thailand and throughout the world. Buddhadasa is known for his "radically conservative" re-grounding of Theravada teaching in the suttas rather than commentaries.
Henepola Gunaratana
Bhante Gunaratana was ordained at the age of twelve as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, earned his PhD in philosophy from The American University, and has led meditation retreats, taught Buddhism, and lectured widely throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is the president of the Bhavana Society in High View, West Virginia, where he lives.
