In the journey of a Buddhist practitioner, we face many ups and downs in our faith and confidence.  We are sometimes fired up and inspired to attain liberation, whilst at other times our confidence wanes.  How do we become true disciples of the Buddha and gather the strength and wisdom to maintain confidence to advance along this spiritual path?  In this special interview with Āyasmā Aggacitta Mahāthera, held in conjunction with Sangha Day B.E. 2565 Observance on Sunday 21 November, we learned about how we can maintain our confidence to advance along this spiritual path even amidst today’s challenges.  The interview was conducted by Bro. Ananda Fong, Director of Pustaka Nalanda.

Āyasmā Aggacitta was ordained by the late meditation master Bhaddanta Mahasi Sayadaw of Yangon in 1979.  He later trained under various teachers, notably the late Sayadaw U Pandita, Sayadaw U Tissara, Sayadaw U Acinna, and Sayadaw U Tejaniya. He also studied advanced Pali grammar and researched the accurate interpretation of the Pāli Tipitaka in Myanmar, until his return to Malaysia at the end of 1994.  He is currently the spiritual patron of Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Taiping, Perak and a member of the Monastic Advisory Panel of Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia since 2012.