Ashin Nandamālābhivaṃsa
Ashin Nandamālābhivaṃsa (also known as Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa) is a distinguished Burmese Buddhist scholar and monastic leader renowned for his profound contributions to the study and teaching of Theravāda Buddhism.
Early Life and Ordination
Born on March 22, 1940, in the village of Nyaung-bin, Sint-ku, Mandalay Region, Myanmar, Ashin Nandamālābhivaṃsa was raised in a devout Buddhist family. At the age of 10, he was ordained as a novice under the guidance of Sayadaw U Canda, the esteemed abbot of the Vipassanā Monastery. He received the ecclesiastical name Nandamāla and began his formal studies in Pāḷi and Buddhist scriptures under the tutelage of his elder brother, Sayadaw U Nārada .
Academic and Scholarly Achievements
Demonstrating exceptional academic prowess, Ashin Nandamālābhivaṃsa passed the Dhammācariya (Dhamma teacher) examination at 16 and the Abhivaṃsa examination at 21. He furthered his studies in Sri Lanka and India, earning a Ph.D. with a thesis on Jainism in Buddhist literature .
In recognition of his scholarly excellence, he was conferred the title of Aggamahā-gantha-vācaka-paṇḍita in 1995 and Aggamahāpaṇḍita in 2000 by the Government of Myanmar .
Monastic Leadership and Institutions
Ashin Nandamālābhivaṃsa is a founding member of the Mahā Subodhayon Monastery in Sagaing, established in 1958, which serves as a center for Buddhist education. He is the Rector of the Sītagū International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) in Sagaing and served as the Rector of the International Theravāda Buddhist Missionary University (ITBMU) in Yangon from 2005 .
In 2003, he founded the Dhammavijjālaya Centre for Buddhist Studies (CBS) in Sagaing, affiliated with Mahā Subodhayon Monastery, and in 2013, he established the Institute of Dhamma Education (IDE) in Pyin Oo Lwin, both aimed at advancing Buddhist education for both Myanmar citizens and international students .
Global Teaching and Publications
Since 2003, Ashin Nandamālābhivaṃsa has annually conducted Abhidhamma courses in Europe, sharing his deep understanding of Buddhist teachings with international audiences .
He is the author of numerous works in Myanmar, Pāḷi, and English, including:
The Fundamental Abhidhamma
A Study of Jainism According to Buddhist Literature
Mettā
Buddhism and Vegetarianism
The Three Meritorious Actions in Buddhism
His writings are characterized by clarity, depth, and practical insights into Buddhist philosophy .
Teaching Style and Legacy
Ashin Nandamālābhivaṃsa is celebrated for his engaging and practical teaching style, often incorporating humor and real-life examples to elucidate complex Buddhist concepts. His teachings emphasize the application of Dhamma in daily life, fostering a compassionate and mindful approach to living. Through his extensive educational initiatives and scholarly works, he has made significant contributions to the global understanding and practice of Theravāda Buddhism.
For more information on his teachings and publications, you can visit his official website: nandamala.org.
