Webu Sayadaw (17 February 1896 – 26 June 1977) was a Theravada Buddhist monk, and vipassanā master, best known for giving all importance to diligent practice, rather than scholastic achievement.
Webu Sayadaw was born in British Burma near Khin U township in modern-day Sagaing Division. He underwent the usual monk’s training in the Pāli scriptures from the age of nine, when he became a novice, until he was twenty-seven. His monastic name was Kumārakassapa.
In 1923 (seven years after his ordination), he left the monastery and spent four years in solitude. He practiced (and later taught) the technique of Ānāpānasati (awareness of the in-breath and out-breath). He said that by working with this practice to a very deep level of concentration, one is able to develop vipassanā (insight) into the essential characteristics of all experience: anicca (impermanence), anatta (egolessness) and dukkha (unsatisfactoriness).
Webu Sayadaw was famous for his unflagging diligence in meditation and for spending most of his time in solitude. He was reputed to be an arahant (fully enlightened one), and it is said that he never slept.
The Essential Practice: Part I
Webu SayadawThe Webu Sayadaw emphasized the practice of meditation as the only way to bring the teachings of the Buddha to fulfillment. The study of the scriptures…
The Essential Practice: Part II
Webu SayadawThe discourses included in this booklet were translated from talks the author gave to groups of lay disciples in the Burmese countryside.
The Way to Ultimate Calm
Webu SayadawWebu Sayadaw was believed by many to have attained complete peace and happiness, the eradication of desire, anger and delusion. He was venerated by many in his…