| Peace from the Meditation |
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Theravada Buddhist tradition in its pure version has been brought to Myanmar from India via Ceylon and ancient Kingdom of Thaton since the 11th century. As a result, the teachings of Buddha is followed by Buddhists not only by reading and learning the scriptures but also in practice, with the establishment of many meditation centres under the able guidance of eminent and learned teachers who are either monks or laymen. These centres are spread through out the country located at secluded places and available for any interested person to join for a minimum of ten-day Vipassana course during which the discourses will be given through an English interpreter. It is compulsory to stay at the meditation centres to complete a ten-day course where accommodation and food will be provided and helpers will be on hand to see the comfort.
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| Mahasi Meditation Centre |
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It is located in a quiet and, secluded place protected from the outside disturbances. It was first established by most venerable Mahasi Sayadaw in 1949 and has been conducting meditation courses ever since with 370 branches throughout Myanmar and 21 affiliated centers abroad. The Sayadaw taught meditation personally until his demise on the 14th August 1982, leaving his disciples to carry out the tasks he had laid down. |
This method advocates the observation of sensations within one’s body as a result of rising and falling of the abdomen. Thus, the meditator should be prepared to devote full time meditation for about six to twelve weeks. Accommodation will be provided free of charge and vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals will be served only at 5.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. daily. All must refrain from eating afternoon (12:00 noon). However, only soft drinks will be served instead.
The daily routine starts at 3.00am and continues until 11.00pm with breaks for meals, bathing etc. Walking meditation is alternated after sitting many hours for meditation. Personal interviews are conducted to assure whether the meditator is progressing along the right path as guided by the Dhamma talks and instructions.
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| Chanmyay YeikTha Meditation Centre |
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The Centre is located halfway between downtown area and Yangon Airport. Its presiding senior monk is Sayadaw Ashin Janak abhivansa (also known as Chanmyay Sayadaw) who studied under Mahasi Sayadaw and is the author of many religious books and articles. He is well known for teaching Buddhism to the non-Buddhists in a scientific way. |
His method of teaching and practice is in harmony with Mahasi tradition and instructions stipulated in Satipvathana Sutta. Food and accommodation are free of charge and vegetarian food is available on request.
Meditators are required to practice intensively under the guidance of experienced teachers with a routine day starting at 3:00am until 9:30pm everyday. All daily activities are to be observed in silence and conducted with mindfulness.
There is a daily timetable applicable to all, but teachers give specific instructions if necessary, depending upon individuals’ experience and progress. meditation instructions and interviews are given in English on alternate days.
A new centre, a branch of the Yeiktha is constructed on 14 acres of green land located about 45 minutes' drive from Yangon. It has all the modernized facilities to accommodate the meditators for peaceful meditation.
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| Shwe-Taung-Gon Sasana-Yeiktha (Panditarama Meditation Centre) |
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It is a mediation centre as well as a monastery resided by monks. It was established in October 1990 by venerable Ovada Cariya Sayadaw U Pandita-bhivamsa who studied under closed observation of Mahasi Sayadaw before his demise and still follows the teaching as taught by his mentor.
The method of meditation is to examine the sensations arising within the body. E.g. rise and fall of abdomen while sitting and observing the foot steps while walking. |
Accommodation and food are provided free of charge. Meditators are required 14 hours of formal sitting and walking meditation daily in silence leaving 4-6 hours of sleep in a day. Strict adherence to the teaching method as instructed is required with no allowance being given to mix with other meditating methods. This centre will only accept people with stable mind and decent personality in order to avoid the obstruction of fellow meditators mentally.
Daily routine starts at 4:00 am until 11:00 pm with time allowed for meals and baths.
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| International Meditation Centre |
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This centre which is located on a little knoll in Inya Myaing near University Avenue was founded by Sayagyi U Ba Khin, a very prominent government official who served at many national level commissions and at the same time taught practical aspect of Buddhist meditation. It is open to foreigners who are really anxious to experience the “Nibbanic Peace within”.
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Courses of training in practical Buddhist meditation is still continued under the guidance of Sayamagyi Daw Mya Thwin and Sayagyi U Tint Yee who had had an opportunity to study under Sayagyi U Ba Khin before his demise. The initial course will be for a period of 10 days which may be extended according to individual needs.
Daily schedule starts from 4:00am until 9:00pm with time breaks for food, bathing etc. The training at the Centre is strictly in line with the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. The method used is Anapana meditation-the mindfulness of breathing to secure one-pointed concentration within the initial 3 days, after which Vipassana meditation Practice is followed throughout the remainder of the training period.
The courses are conducted free of charge to all except a minimum charge for the vegetarian food. The trainees are required to keep the vow of noble silence.
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| International Buddha Sasana Centre (Pa-auk) |
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This centre, located in Thanlyin Township is a branch of Pa-auk Forest meditation Centre of Mawlamyaing.
The new centre, opened on the 28th June 1998 by the teacher Reverend Acinna is located on a secluded 5 acres of land about one and a half hour' drive from downtown Yangon. The fact that the centre has prospered in the construction of additional buildings for the well-beings of the meditators within a short period of time, shows the effective and corrective method practised under the guidance of the eminent teacher and assistant teachers. |
This centre is able to accommodate about 50 monks and 150 lay yogis in one course which usually takes a period of 10 days and is open to all interested persons irrespective of creed, faith or nationality.
The meditation practice begins with the training of concentration, the most effective one out of 40 methods of tranquility-meditation as originally taught by Buddha. It enables the student to observe with deep concentration, the physical and mental formation radiating within the body. Then followed by systematic insight-meditation to gain wisdom, leading to the practical understanding of the Dhamma.
The daily routine starts from 4:00 am until 8:30 pm with time breaks for meals and rest. It is compulsory for every meditator, except for reason of health, to practise eight and a half hours of sitting meditation and three hours of walking meditation everyday. The accommodation and meals will be provided free of charge but only vegetarian food will be available.
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| Dhamma Jotti Vipassana Centre |
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It’s location in Bahan Township is not far from downtown area and is easily accessible by car, taxi and bus. This centre was founded by Shri S.N Goenkaji, who had the blessing from famous Myanmar Vipassana Teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin before his death in 1971. This method of meditation, traced back from one generation to another in its purest form has been preserved in Myanmar by a chain of devoted teachers. |
| Shri Goenkaji began to conduct Vipassana courses in India in 1969, after which it expands to many countries in the world , bringing peace of mind and tranquility to those who practise under his guidance.
Before the student joins the meditation centre, he will be provided with a “Code of Discipline” pamphlet for his understanding and strict compliance. The student will be required to complete the full ten day course; the daily schedule includes ten hours of sitting meditation, without interruption. Noble silence is one of the requirements to be observed by the students, whereby no means of communication either by verbal or physical gestures with the fellow students will be allowed.
The daily routine starts from 4:00 am until 9:30 pm with intervals for meals and rest. Should any confusion arise from the practice during the length of the course, it is to be taken up with the teacher only, without any reference to books or fellow students. Meals and boarding charges will be free of charge and if the student feels likes making voluntary donation, it will be accepted only after the student has completed the course.
For the conduct of meditation courses, twenty-five centres including the headquarters are situated in India in addition to twenty-three centres established in eleven other countries. The centre had already two-hundred assistant teachers to help in the conduct of meditation courses. Generally the course comprises three steps.
- Observance of moral precepts is the basic step.
- The first three and a half days are allotted for the practice of Anapana meditation
i.e. concentration on the breathing in and out.
- The last six and a half days are for the practice of Vipassana meditation
i.e. to concentrate on the physical and mental formation arising within the body with clarity of insight and wisdom.
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