Introduction
Āyasmā Ariyadhammika is a highly seasoned Austrian Thera (Elder) with a vast breadth of experience across the primary Theravada Buddhist landscapes of Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. Known for his "global" monastic training, he integrates various meditation lineages with a deep scholarly focus on Early Buddhism. He currently serves as a guiding teacher for monastics at the Sāsānarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) in Perak, Malaysia.
Early Life and Academic Background
Born Björn Selic in Austria in 1976, Āyasmā Ariyadhammika was academically inclined toward Economics and Music, which he studied at the University of Graz. His spiritual curiosity was piqued at the age of 14 upon discovering the Buddha’s teachings in a local library. After a decade of independent study and practice in the U Ba Khin tradition, his commitment to the Dhamma led him to renounce his lay life in 2005 to seek ordination in Asia.
Formative Years in Myanmar (2005–2010)
Āyasmā Ariyadhammika received his full ordination on July 14, 2005, at the renowned Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Myanmar, with Pa-Auk Sayadaw as his preceptor. He spent five years living a minimalist forest life, often dwelling in the open air under trees. During this time, he mastered Ānāpānassati (mindfulness of breathing) and later explored the diverse meditation techniques of the Mogok, Mahasi, Shwe Oo Min (U Tejaniya), and Sunlun traditions.
Thai Forest Training (2010–2013)
Seeking to experience the lifestyle of the Thai Forest Tradition, he moved to Thailand in 2010. He underwent the traditional training of a forest monk at Wat Pah Nanachat (the International Forest Monastery of the Ajahn Chah lineage). He spent his final year in Thailand on thudong (monastic wandering), journeying throughout the country to practice in secluded branch monasteries and Dhammayuttika Nikāya forest hermitages.
Connection with Malaysia and Ven. Aggacitta (2013–2015)
In 2013, Āyasmā Ariyadhammika arrived in Malaysia, where he developed a significant spiritual bond with Āyasmā Aggacitta Mahāthera. He spent two years at Sāsānarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) and the Mūla Vihāra hermitage, engaging in intensive studies of Pāli, Suttanta, and the Vinaya (monastic discipline) under Ven. Aggacitta’s mentorship.
Sri Lankan Residency and Preceptorship (2015–2018)
To complete his study of the three main Theravada cultures, he moved to Sri Lanka in 2015. He practised and taught at Nā Uyana Aranya, and later at the historic Island Hermitage (founded by Ven. Ñānatiloka). During this period, he took on the role of upajjhāya (preceptor), ordaining and training Western disciples while leading them on thudong through the Sri Lankan hillsides.
Current Leadership at SBS
In 2018, having accomplished his goal of exploring the meditation methods and monastic cultures of the major Theravada nations, Āyasmā Ariyadhammika returned to Malaysia to settle long-term. He accepted the invitation to become the Saṅghaṇāyaka at the SBS Monk Training Centre in Taiping. In this role, he is dedicated to supporting and training fellow monastics in a way that balances forest practice with scriptural accuracy.