Raised in a Mahayana Buddhist family in Vietnam, Lienchi Tran discovered meditation in 1984, inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Her journey deepened in 1992 with Bhante Khippapanno, leading her to ordain and fully immerse herself in Theravada Buddhism. She trained under Sayadaw U Pandita and, since 2003, has been profoundly guided by her primary teacher Sayadaw U Tejaniya, who encouraged mindfulness as a natural part of daily life.

After transitioning from monastic life, Lienchi returned to her career as an architect, weaving mindfulness into both work and everyday experience. She completed the Four-Year Teacher Training at IMC/IRC under Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella and now shares the Dharma with warmth and clarity, emphasizing awareness in daily living. More information about Lienchi can be found at lienchitran.org.

Sayadaw U Tejaniya began his Buddhist training as a young teenager in Burma under the late Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw (1913–2002). After a career in business and life as a householder, he has become a permanent monk since 1996. He teaches meditation at Shwe Oo Min Dhamma Sukha Forest Meditation Center in Yangon, Myanmar.

Sayadaw’s relaxed demeanor and easy sense of humor can belie a commitment to awareness he encourages his students to apply in every aspect of their lives. His earlier life as a householder gives him a rare insight into the challenges faced by his lay students. His books, “Don’t Look Down on the Defilements, They Will Laugh at You”, “Awareness alone is not Enough” and “Dhamma Everywhere: Welcoming each Moment with Awareness+Wisdom” aptly characterize his teachings—accessible and true to the traditional teachings of the Buddha.