Sayādaw U Kovida is the Chief Abbot of the Buddhist Community of South Carolina (BCSC) and Dhammaratana Meditation Center (DMC) in South Carolina, USA. Sayādaw came to the US and have been living in the US since 2018. Sayādaw conducted meditation retreats at Tathagata Meditation Center (TMC) in San Jose, California until 2022. 

Sayādaw ordained as a novice on February 18, 1991 under the Venerable Sayādaw Bhaddanta Pandava Mahahtay Myat of Pubba Yone Shwekyin Monastery in Pyinsar Gone Village, Myanmar. In May 14, 2000, Sayādaw received his full ordination as a bhikkhu under the Venerable Bhaddanta Sihabala (Agga Maha Pandita) of Gandadura Monastery, Zeephyu Gone Village, Myanmar. Sayādaw studied the Tipitaka  and Pali with various teachers starting in 1993 and received his Dhammacariya Degree (Dhamma Teacher) in 2013. From 2018 - 2022, Sayādaw studied the Dhamma in English with Sayādaw U Thuzana at TMC.

Sayādaw’s patipatti included three month intensive vipassana meditation under the guidance of Venerable Sayādaw Vannissara and Venerable Sayādaw Panditahivamsa at Panditarama Meditation Centre, Yangon in 2008.  In 2009, Sayādaw practiced intensive vipassana self-retreat for three months following the practice of Venerable Sayādaw Bhaddanta Sobana in Shwe Min Wun Meditation Centre, Yangon.

From 2009-2018 , Sayādaw gave Dhamma teachings to meditators, young students, and children in Myanmar.  Student groups range from 100-600. Additionally, Sayādaw led an annual 10-day retreat at Puppayone Shwe Kyin Monastery, Pyinsagone Village, Myinmu Township, starting in 2013. From 2018 - 2022, Sayādaw assisted and taught the youth retreat, weekend retreats and 30-day intensive retreats at TMC. From July - September 2022, Sayādaw observed the three-month Vassa at the Hawaii Panditarama Meditation Center and participated in the weekly sermon/exposition and the World-Wide Collective-Meditation and Prayer Chanting. 

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