Ven. U Maṅgala
A publisher once asked Venerable U Maṅgala to introduce himself. Here is what the Venerable writes about himself:
One who embraces both idealistic dreams and the practical reality.
One who makes mistakes, but always has the courage to turn over.In setbacks, he always stands up quickly.
“All beings are suffering,” he told himself, “there is no time to feel sad.”
He is one who always gives himself and others a second chance.
He willingly let go of the thought of self, but keep the welfare of all beings in his heart instead.
Some say he is harsh, yet some say he is gentle.
It all depends on what he thinks you need, in order to purify yourself and progress in the practice.
He learns to make all conditions his teacher, and the Dhamma his master.
He serves everyone’s parents as if they are his own parents, and cares for everyone’s children as if they are his own children.
He doesn’t allow temptation to delude him, or failure to defeat him.
He learns to see the world through the lenses of love and light.
He wants to understand the feelings of hope and despair felt by all beings.He is determined to offer his friendship to everyone, with an open heart and great forgiveness.
When he was seven, he made a wish, that when he grows up, he would be loyal to his partner.
When he was fourteen, he contemplated on the questions about the kind of person he wanted to become.
When he was twenty one, he asked himself if he would regret, after thirty years, the decisions he made then.
These three thoughts determined the path he’d walk later. He decided to renounce the world.
His made a wish, that in both this and all his remaining lives, he is to promote the Dhamma, to revitalize the Saṅgha, and to help all beings see the truth. “
Ven. U Maṅgala’s Profile
Bhante U Maṅgala was born in Malacca in 1968.
Bhante was active in Dhamma propagation during his student days, having served as President of Buddhist Society in St. David High School, Vice President in Buddhist Society in Malacca High School and President of Malaya University Buddhist Society.
After graduating from Law Faculty, Malaya University in 1993, Bhante went for full time Dhamma service and practice.
On the 9th of December 1996, Bhante Maṅgala was ordained as a bhikkhu in Pa Auk Forest Monastery in Mawlamyine, taking Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi as his Preceptor and began practicing Samatha Vipassanā meditation under Sayadawgyi’s close supervision and guidance.
In 2006, Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi appointed Bhante as meditation teacher in Pa Auk Forest Monastery in Mawlamyine.
In 2008, with support from the Malaysia Dhamma Society (formerly known as Kuching Bhagavan Buddhist Society), Bhante U Maṅgala started teaching meditation in the newly established Tusita Hermitage.
Since then, Tusita Saṅgha Council has established Hermitages and Centres in Nepal Himalaya, Taiwan, Malacca, Penang and Taiping.
Bhante U Maṅgala is the author of several Chinese Dhamma books, namely “The Price of Nature”, “Maṅgala Sayings” and “Maṅgala Zen”.
Bhante is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka and Malacca Hokkien.
Now Bhante U Maṅgala is joined by Sayadaw U Kañcana, Ven. Buddharakkhita, Ven. Dhammagavesaka and assistant Sayalays and to serve the local and overseas Buddha Sāsana as a team.
Bhante U Maṅgala emphasises a complete cultivation of Dhamma in every aspect of life and reintroduces the Buddha’s Leadership by Dhamma in this modern days.
Bhante Maṅgala from time to time gives Dhamma Leadership courses for application of Dhamma propagation and cultivation of harmony and Dhamma spirit in the spiritual community.
With Tusita Saṅgha Council’s encouragement, Tusita community has established Tusita Foundation in 2015 to pioneer charitable works for all.
Tusita Saṅgha Council under Bhante’s leadership is currently planning to establish a Malaysia Dhamma Sanctuary in West Malaysia.