Shwegyin Sayadaw (Burmese: áÂÂá½á¾á±áÂÂáÂȇÂÂáºáÂÂáÂÂá‡ÂÂá±á‡º; 28 July 1822 â 26 March 1893), born Maung Than, reverentially known as Ashin ZÃÂgara (á¡áÂÂá¾áÂÂáºáÂÂá‡ÂÂáÂÂ), was a prominent Burmese TheravÃÂda Buddhist monk who founded the Shwegyin Nikaya, one of the nine legally recognised monastic orders in Myanmar. He is regarded as the first monk to establish a strict Vinaya-reform sect during the reign of King Mindon (r. 1853âÂÂ1878). The Shwegyin NikÃÂya remains the strictest and most forest-oriented monastic lineage in Myanmar today.
Shwegyin Sayadaw was born on 28 July 1822 in Shwegyin village (one of five large villages founded by relatives of King Dhamazedi of Pegu), near the present-day Wetlet Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Region. His parents were U Maung and Daw Myat Mit. At age seven he began studying under the local monastery teacher, later identified as Ven. U Vara (U Waraboddi). He became a sÃÂmaá¹Âera (novice) at age 14 in ME 1198 (1836âÂÂ37) and received the name Shin ZÃÂgara (âÂÂthe vigilant oneâÂÂ).
He studied at several monasteries, mastering Pali grammar, Abhidhamma, and Vinaya. At age 20 (ME 1208, 1846) he received higher ordination (upasampadÃÂ) under Ven. U Vara at Ywatha monastery in Ywathitgyi village. From then on he strictly observed the 13 dhutaá¹ ga (austere practices) and became known as a dhutaá¹ ga monk.
Ashin ZÃÂgara spent years in forest monasteries, emphasising strict adherence to the Vinaya. In ME 1222 (1860) King Mindon, seeking to purify the Saá¹ gha, granted him and his followers independence from the Thudhamma NikÃÂya (the royal monastic hierarchy) and full royal patronage. This marked the formal establishment of the Shwegyin NikÃÂya, named after the founderâÂÂs birthplace.
The king built five monasteries for the new sect in Mandalay (collectively called the âÂÂShwegyin Five MonasteriesâÂÂ) and appointed Ashin ZÃÂgara as its leader. The sect emphasised: - Strict observance of the 13 dhutaá¹ ga practices - Forest-dwelling (araññavÃÂsi) orientation - Independence from royal or state control over monastic affairs
Ashin ZÃÂgara refused all honorary titles offered by King Mindon and later King Thibaw. After the British annexation in 1885, the colonial authorities ceased recognising the office of Thathanabaing (Supreme Saá¹ gha leader), effectively ending official support for the Shwegyin leadership structure, though the sect continued to thrive.
He spent his final years in forest monasteries in Sagaing and Mingun. He died on 26 March 1893 at Mingun Ngwe Taung forest monastery, aged 70 (71 by Burmese reckoning) and with 52 vassas (rains retreats).
The Shwegyin NikÃÂya is today the strictest monastic order in Myanmar, known for its emphasis on Vinaya purity, forest meditation, and independence. It has produced many prominent meditation teachers and remains a major lineage alongside the Thudhamma NikÃÂya.