Introduction
Āyasmā Aggacitta is one of Malaysia’s most prominent and respected senior monastics. A monk of profound intellectual depth and meditative experience, he is known for his "critically constructive" approach to the Dhamma. Rather than simply following tradition, he has dedicated his life to investigating the Pali scriptures alongside real-life experience to provide practitioners with a Dhamma that is authentic, practical, and grounded in reality.
Ordination and Burmese Training
Born in Malaysia, Āyasmā Aggacitta received his higher ordination in 1979 in Yangon, Myanmar. He had the rare privilege of having the legendary Bhaddanta Mahāsi Sayādaw as his preceptor.
His formative years as a monk were spent in intensive training under some of the most illustrious meditation masters of the 20th century:
Sayadaw U Paṇḍita: Intensive Vipassana (insight) meditation.
Sayadaw U Tissara: Traditional monastic discipline and practice.
Sayadaw U Āciṇṇa (Pa-Auk Sayadaw): Deep concentration (Samatha) and insight.
Sayadaw U Tejaniya: Mindfulness of the mind and wisdom in daily life.
The Sarawak Solitary Retreat (1994–1998)
In 1994, seeking to deepen his personal realization, Āyasmā Aggacitta withdrew from public life to undergo a four-year solitary meditation retreat in the jungles of Sarawak. This period of deep silence and introspection was a turning point, allowing him to integrate his Burmese training with a direct, unmediated observation of the mind and nature.
A Researcher of the Dhamma
Upon his return to West Malaysia in 1998, Āyasmā Aggacitta began a significant phase of Dhamma investigation. He is uniquely distinguished by his willingness to question popular interpretations of Buddhism. By cross-referencing:
Original Pali Scriptures (The Suttas and Vinaya)
Real-life meditative experiences
Contemporary research findings
He has developed a teaching style that strips away cultural superstitions to reveal the core, practical essence of the Buddha’s path.
Founding Sāsānarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS)
In the year 2000, he founded Sāsānarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) in Taiping, Perak. Set amidst the secluded hills of a former rubber plantation, SBS was established with a specific vision: to provide a supportive environment for the training of Malaysian monastics in the Dhamma-Vinaya. Under his guidance, SBS has grown into a premier center for both monk training and lay education.
National Leadership and Recognition
Recognizing his wisdom and commitment to the Malaysian Buddhist community, the Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia (TBCM) invited him to serve on its Monastic Advisory Panel in 2012. He continues to be a guiding light for Buddhist organizations across the country, advocating for a Dhamma that is relevant to modern society without losing its ancient roots.