Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Āciṇṇa is the Abbot and principal teacher of Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Mawlamyine, Myanmar. The honorific "Sayadaw" means "respected teacher" in Burmese. Renowned as both a Dhammācariya (Dhamma Teacher) and Kammaṭṭhānācariya (Meditation Teacher), he has devoted his life to the study, practice, and teaching of the Dhamma, guiding countless practitioners on the path to liberation.

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1. Early Life and Education (1934–1964)

Born in 1934 in Leigh-Chaung Village, Myanmar, the Sayadaw was ordained as a novice at age 10. He excelled in Pāli studies, passing all three government examinations by the age of 20. After receiving higher ordination in 1954, he earned the title Dhammācariya in 1956 and spent the next several years deepening his knowledge under various respected teachers.

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2. Life of Meditation and Forest Practice (1964–1981)

In 1964, during his 10th vassa, he embraced the forest monk’s life, dedicating 16 years to solitary meditation in the forests of Mon State. This period shaped his profound understanding of both theory and practice.

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3. Leadership at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery (1981–1990s)

Following the passing of the previous abbot, the Sayadaw became the abbot of Pa-Auk Monastery in 1981. As the new abbot, he became known as the "Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw. While overseeing its growth, he remained deeply committed to personal practice, meditating in seclusion in a bamboo hut in the hills.