Born nearly five decades ago in Myanmar, Sayalay Thilashin Uttama came to the United States around 30 years ago as a laywomen and wife. In 1988 her interest turned towards spiritual life and meditation and in 1989 she returned to her home country of Myanmar to ordain as an 8-precept thilashin nun. In 2002, Sayalay Uttama returned to the United States and met Ayya Gunasari in Apple Valley, California. In November of 2002, Sayalay Uttama moved together with Ayya Gunasari to Thanti Thitsar Vipassana Meditation Center in Riverside upon its foundation by a mutual friend.