Chief abbot of Tamansari Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Bogor, Indonesia, and of Dawei Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Myanmar.
Sayadaw Ashin Kuṇḍadhāna Mahāthera was born on 8 September 1969 in the Khonwindap quarter of Dawei. He is the fourth of five sons of his father U Kyin Swam (1938–2018) and his mother Daw San Yi (1936–2002); his childhood name was Maung Kyaw Kyaw.
He studied at No. 2 High School in Dawei from kindergarten to Tenth Standard, always placing between first and third in every class, and he received a distinction in Tenth Standard.
In 1986 he entered the Rangoon Institute of Technology (R.I.T.). When the schools were closed in 1988 he helped with his parents' business.
In 1988 he practised meditation for three months as a lay yogi at the Mahāsi Meditation Centre in Ye, which awakened his interest in practice.
In 1989, together with his brothers, he was ordained for the first time under the Sayadawgyi of Ghositārāma in Dawei, but because of business obligations he disrobed and continued to help his parents.
In 1991 his sense of urgency (saṃvega) grew and he asked his parents for permission to be ordained for life. It was not easily given; only after he asked repeatedly and spoke of death as a cause for urgency did his parents agree.
In May 1991, with the help of lay supporters in Ye, he came to the feet of the Pa-Auk Sayadaw at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery (main) in Mawlamyine. On the 23rd of that month he received full ordination for the second time, with the Pa-Auk Sayadaw as his preceptor.
After ordination he stayed at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery (main) for eighteen consecutive rains retreats, learning pariyatti and paṭipatti from the Pa-Auk Sayadaw and the senior teachers.
He also assisted in the Pa-Auk Sayadaw's mission work and travelled with him to England, the United States, Japan, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
He spent his 19th rains retreat at Nibbinda Monastery, the Pa-Auk centre on Penang Island, Malaysia. From his 20th rains retreat he has been the chief abbot of Dawei Pa-Auk Monastery up to the present.
From his 28th rains retreat he has also served as the chief abbot of Tamansari Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Bogor, Indonesia.
His international teaching trips have included Indonesia, Vietnam, Macau, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the United States, Canada and Thailand. From 2022 until 2025, at his 34th rains retreat, he has lived at Tamansari Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Bogor, Indonesia. He also teaches Dhamma and Vinaya online in Burmese and English, and in other languages through interpreters.