U Jotika
Sayadaw U Jotika | |
|---|---|
ဦးဇောတိက | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 5 August 1947 |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Nationality | Burmese |
| School | Theravāda |
| Lineage | Burmese forest tradition |
| Notable work(s) | Snow in the Summer; A Map of the Journey |
| Education | Electrical engineering (Rangoon Institute of Technology) |
| Teachers | Venerable Nandiya (Taungpulu Sayadaw) |
| Known for | Vipassanā teaching, psychological approach to meditation |
| Occupation | Buddhist monk, teacher, author |
| Senior posting | |
| Ordination | c. 1974 |
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Sayadaw U Jotika (born 5 August 1947) is a Burmese Theravāda Buddhist monk and meditation teacher. He is known for explaining vipassanā in a simple way and linking Buddhist teachings with modern psychology.[1]
Early life
U Jotika was born in Mawlamyine, Myanmar, into a Muslim family.[2] He studied at a Roman Catholic missionary school, where he was introduced to Western ideas and religion.[3]
He later studied Electrical engineering at the Rangoon Institute of Technology and graduated in 1973.[4] Before becoming a monk, he was married and had two children.[4]
Ordination and training
After finishing his studies, he became dissatisfied with ordinary worldly life, especially its focus on wealth and status.[5] He decided to become a Buddhist monk in the mid-1970s.[4]
He trained in the Burmese forest tradition under teachers such as Venerable Nandiya (Taungpulu Sayadaw).[2] He spent many years in forest monasteries, living simply and focusing on meditation practice.
He undertook intensive vipassanā meditation and continued long-term practice for many years.[6]
Teaching
U Jotika has taught meditation in Myanmar and in other countries such as Australia, the United States, and Singapore.[7] His talks and retreats have attracted many people, especially lay practitioners who want to apply meditation in daily life.
His teaching style is simple and practical. Instead of focusing on complex methods, he encourages understanding the mind by observing thoughts, emotions, and habits. He often explains meditation in psychological terms, making vipassanā easier for modern practitioners to understand.[8]
He also teaches a relaxed and balanced approach. Rather than forcing concentration, he encourages natural awareness that develops over time. He emphasizes patience, consistency, and understanding instead of strict discipline.[9]
Bibliography
He has written several books and essays in English and Burmese. His best-known works include:
His writing style is simple, personal, and reflective.
Views
U Jotika emphasizes understanding through personal experience rather than belief. He encourages people to observe their own minds and think for themselves.[12]
He also supports interfaith harmony and a non-sectarian approach to Buddhism.[2]
Legacy
He is considered a modern Buddhist teacher who presents traditional Theravāda teachings in a way that is easy for contemporary audiences to understand, especially those interested in meditation and psychology.[13]
See also
References
- ↑ "The Inspirational Example of Venerable Jotika". Lion's Roar. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The Inspirational Example of Venerable Jotika". Lion's Roar. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ "Snow in the Summer (Introduction)". Buddhanet. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Sayadaw U Jotika Biography". LittleBang. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ "Snow in the Summer (Introduction)". Buddhanet. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ Jotika, Sayadaw U (1997). A Map of the Journey. AudioBuddha. Search this book on
- ↑ "Prominent meditation teacher shares mindfulness teachings abroad". The Global New Light of Myanmar. 15 June 2019. p. 7.
- ↑ "Working with Dhamma". LittleBang. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ Jotika, Sayadaw U (1990). Snow in the Summer. various editions. Search this book on
- ↑ Jotika, Sayadaw U (1990). Snow in the Summer. various editions. Search this book on
- ↑ Jotika, Sayadaw U (1997). A Map of the Journey. AudioBuddha. Search this book on
- ↑ Jotika, Sayadaw U (1990). Snow in the Summer. various editions. Search this book on
- ↑ "Sayādaw U. Jotika – Đôi nét về tác giả". Quang Duc Buddhist Website (in Tiếng Việt). Retrieved 2026-04-24.
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