Sitagu Sayadaw


Ashin Nyanissara best known as Sitagu Sayadaw, is a meditation teacher and prolific Buddhist scholar. He is also founder and head of the Sitagu Buddhist Academies.
His work as a teacher began in 1977 and encompasses religious, educational, medical and infrastructural activities. He travels worldwide to promote his humanitarian efforts and for interfaith dialogue. He became "Shwegyin Nikaya Uppaokkahta" which translates as "Joint Leading Head of Shwegyin Nikaya of Myanmar" in 2012.
In May 2017, Sitagu Sayadaw preached a sermon in Kayin State to Myanmar Army officers likely to be involved with the Rohingya genocide that "appeared to suggest that the killing of those who are not Buddhist could be justified on the grounds that they were not complete humans, or indeed humans at all".

Social and Charity works

Sitagu Sayadaw is known for his charismatic leadership and practices of socially-engaged Buddhism. His organization has funded many social projects in Burma, including water pumps, construction of hospitals such as the Sitagu Ayudana Hospital in Sagaing in 1985, and the Sitagu Buddhist Academy in 1998.
Bhante Sitagu Sayadaw has been lauded for his missionary and charity works, especially in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which killed upwards of 100,000 in the country's delta regions.
He is also interested in interfaith dialogue and currently sits on the Board of World Religious Leaders for the Elijah Interfaith Institute.

Honorific Titles

The Myanmar government bestowed four honorific titles upon him:
1. In 1993 Bhante Sitagu Sayadaw was awarded the title Mahādhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara which means "great Dhamma preacher".
2. In 1995 he received the title Aggamahā Saddhammajotikadhaja means "great Dhamma preacher and benefactor of many men".
3. In 1997 he received another title Aggamahā Paṇḍita which means "very excellent wise man".
4. In 2004 he was awarded a title yet again for Aggamahā Ganthavacakapaṇḍita which means "great wise man in teaching and preaching".
5. In 2017 he was received the Supreme Buddhist Title"Abhidhajamahārahthaaguru" which means"the Honourable, Excellent and Great Teacher of Country and the State".

Honorary Doctorates

Honorary doctorates received from Myanmar and International Universities:
1. In February 2003, the University of Yangon, Myanmar honored the Venerable with a Doctor of Letters.
2. In April 2005, he was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Mahachulalongkorajavidyalaya University in Bangkok, Thailand.
3. In May 2008, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Mahamakut Buddhist University, Thailand.
4. In October 2008, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Nava Nalanda University, India.
5. In February 2015, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Pannasastra University, Cambodia.

Criticism

He has associated in recent years with the Buddhist nationalist group Patriotic Association of Myanmar.