Contact: Ven. U Vansa
Ven. Vansa is a Canadian Monk from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He earned his Bachelor or Arts degree in Education(major Psychology) from St. Francis Xavier University,Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a Certified Financial Planner (Retired) and a Registered Financial Planner(Retired).
As a youth in High School and University as a student and Athelete(various sports). He was Student Leader(Executive School Council). Included a University Athletic Scholarship in Basketball and Academic-Dean's List Student at St. F.X University. In adult lay life, he was married from the age of 25 to 49, with no children.
His has had varied roles:
- Financial Advisor (Self Employed)
- Film Actor (Vancouver Based)
- Executive Board of Various Charities
- Big Brothers (Vancouver)
- President AIDS Vancouver
- President Seva Service Society - Treasurer
He started meditating at the age of 17 with Transcendental Meditation. He met Chanmyay Sayadaw U Janaka in 1991. He began intensive vipassana/metta practice with Sayadaw in 1994 during Vassa (Pansa, Rains retreat) at Rangoon, Burma while on a one year Sabbatical from work. He continued to visit and practice with Sayadaw at subsequent Vasssas. Culminating in a six month intensive retreat at Hmawbi (Forest Retreat) at Rangoon in 2001 (March to August) under direct guidance of Sayadaw Janaka. At this point Sayadaw invited U Vansa to tour with him and assist in teaching Vipasssana and Metta Meditation.
U Vansa was drawn to the Buddha's doctrine because of its profound yet simple practicality in every day life and as a Spiritual Path. U Vansa was drawn to Sayadaw Janaka, as a teacher, because of his clarity and knowledge of the Vinaya, Pali Canon and teaching methods. His practice and understanding of the Buddha's teachings grew and improved dramatically under Sayadaw's guidance.
As a teacher, U Vansa is committed to convey the simple everyday usefulness of Buddha's teaching while inspiring those around him to explore and experience the Path to Freedom that he so clearly and elegantly lived.
U Vansa has traveled extensively throughout Asia, North America, and Europe both as an assistant to Sayadaw Janaka and leader of his own retreats. He has spent the Rains Retreat (Vassa, Pansa) guiding monks in meditation at Dhammodaya Meditation Center (Nakhon Pathom, Thailand). He is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology in Santa Barbara, California and is based on Vancouver, BC, Canada.