On 23 May 1969, the 8th waxing day of Nayone in 1331 of Burmese Calendar, on reaching the age of twenty, he was ordained a Bhikkhu (Monk) at Jawtikaron Monastery in Pyay Township, Burma. In 1970 and 1971, he appeared for two advanced Pitaka examinations with success, and he attained the certificates on Pitaka Lectureship level namely Dhammacariya and Digha Nikaya Kawvida. To appreciate his success, he was awarded a lifetime first class ticket, valid for domestic travels with a companion for State-owned transportation.
He then turned to his academic studies and passed the Matriculation Eligibility examination in 1978. After four years, in early 1982, he sat for Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) examination successfully. Before he joined Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, he attended the first six-month refresher course in Pitaka Lectureship sponsored by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
During his years in Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, Ashin Pyinnya Thiha practiced meditation under the guidance of Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw, and he in turn gave training to Yogis and Laymen. He also studied English language on the other hand. Effective 24 July 1986, he took residence at a monastery in London known as the Buddha Vihara Kyaung Taik.
On 3 July 1995, he arrived at the Loka Chantha or the Universal Peace Buddha Temple in New York, on invitation of the America Burma Buddhist Association (ABBA). Being assigned by Venerable U Indada, Padhana Nayaka Sayadaw (Presiding Monk) of the Loka Chantha Monastery, he has been serving religious duties as a devout Bhikkhu at Mahasi Satipatthan Yeiktha in New Jersey, which is a branch of the Loka Chantha Monastery.