Panditarama
Shwe-taung-gon Sasana-yeiktha
80-A, Than Lwin Road, Shwe-gon-dine P.O.
Bahan, Yangon, Myanmar(Burma)
Tel: (00951) 535448, (00951)705525
Forest Meditation Centre (Hse Main Gon): (00951) 247211
(about an hour by road from Yangon; specifically for Westerners. The kutis (cabins) are spacious and there is a large two-story meditation hall. (for men and women)
E-mail: panditarama@mptmail.net.mm
(Please provide your postal address when you send an Email)
(It is very expensive to collect or send Email from Yangon)
Shwe Taung Gon Sayadaw
U Pandita
(Phototograph taken in April, 2000)
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Members of Sangha at the Centre
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CENTRE
Panditarama Shwe Taung Gon Sasana Yeiktha and Branch CentersThe Panditarama Shwe Taung Gon Sasana Yeiktha is a center for the practice and study of the Theravada Buddhist teachings. Established in October 1990 by the Venerable Guiding Teacher U Panditabhivamsa, it follows the great lineage of the late Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw. He no longer gives personal interviews during retreats, but still offers Dhamma talks, and closely supervises other Sayadaws who interview. Both local and foreign yogis come to the Shwe Taung Gon center in Yangon to practice intensive Vipassana (Satipatthana) meditation. The Mahasi method involves mindfulness of body, sensations, mind, and general objects such as seeing, hearing, tasting and smelling. The primary objects of meditation are the rise and fall of the abdomen in sitting meditation and the movement of the feet in walking meditation. Food, accommodations, and basic needs are met through the generous donations of well-wishers. The teachers and staff work to maintain conditions conducive to meditation. All these efforts are made with the intention that the yogis be free to practice and gain the benefits. For the yogis, there is but one responsibility, that is, to maintain continuity of mindfulness throughout the waking hours. To this end: There are now Panditarama branch centers, as well: Within Myanmar: - 'Hse Mile Gon' Forest Center, (about an hour by road from Yangon; specifically for Westerners. The kutis (cabins) are spacious and there is a large two-story meditation hall. (for men and women) - Pyin U Lwin (Maymyo), - Mawlamyaing Abroad:
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INFORMATION FOR YOGIS
Panditarama Shwe-taung-gon Sasana Yeiktha is a meditation and study monastery. Established in October 1990 by Venerable Ovadacariya Sayadaw U Pandita-bhivamsa, this centre follows the great lineage of the late Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw. | |
The method of meditation taught here is observation of body, sensation , mind and general objects like seeing, hearing, smelling, etc. Rise and fall of the abdomen when sitting, and steps when walking are main objects to observe. Items to bring 1. Clothing: White shirts or blouses with sleeves, longyis(sarongs). Women should bring dark brown longyis. [Longyis can be bought here in Myanmar.] 2. Slippers. thongs or sandals. 3. Other personal items including medicines, vitamins and toiletries, if thereare particular brands or specific items you require. 4. 10 - 20 passport-size photos. 5. Cash or travellers checks in US dollars. Items provided by the Centre The centre will provide meditators with food and lodging including a mosquito net, sheet, pillow and pillow case, blanket and a thermos bottle (flask). Costs are met through the generous donations of well-wishers. Medical attention Most yogis manage to remain in good health during their stay, but for minor ailments such as stomach-upsets, colds, coughs, etc., a trained and experienced nurse is normally in residence at Panditarama, and a doctor is in attendance for two hours every day at the centre's Clinic. It is extremely rare that more severe illnesses occur. There are also a number of clinics not far from the Centre where specialist diagnosis and treatment are available at reasonable rates. Application Procedures Yogis intersted in practising at Panditarama are advised to follow the following procedure: (a) Obtain application form (form page 1 and form page 2) from Panditarama or print from this website. (b) Fill up and send it back to Panditarama. On acceptance, the yogi will be sent a sponsorship letter. (c) Obtain a meditation visa application from your local Embassy of Myanmar. Complete the form and submit it along with your sponsorship letter to the embassy. Note: If you intend to practise at Panditarama but enter Myanmar on a tourist visa without obtaining a sponsorship letter from this centre, there is no guarantee you will he accepted as a yogi. Like most renowned Burmese teachers, Sayadaw U Pandita travels abroad, so you may want to check first to see when he will be there. Arrival When you have decided that you would like to come to the centre, please contact the centre by letter, phone or fax to confirm your arrival plans. The centre will provide you with transport from the airport. Or you may take a taxi from the airport, which will cost you about $5. The centre's address in Myanmar script below may be helpful: |
Some Basic Guidelines | |
| 1. There is only one task to be done by the meditators, i.e, to practise with:
2. Meditators should do 14 hours of formal sitting and walking meditation per day. 3. Meditators should keep alone and observe silence. Socialising is not encouraged at all. 4. Meditators must refrain from talking. 5. Meditators must keep reading and writing to an absolute minimum. 6. Lay meditators must carefully observe the Eight Precepts. Smoking is not allowed. Monks and nuns must strictly observe their respective monastic discipline. 7. Sleep should be limited to 4-6hrs per 24hours. 8. Meditators must strictly adhere to the meditation teacher's instructions and should not practise according to other meditation methods. 9. Meditators must not get involved in any activities not related to intensive meditation, (e.g. listening to the radio or tapes, taking massage, taking photographs, collecting books, performing acupuncture, receiving visitors, cooking food, learning Burmese, English, Pali, engaging in political, business and social affairs.) 10. Meditators must restrain their senses. They should act like a blind, deaf and dumb person. 11. Meditators must perform all activities in slow motion like a sick person. 12. There is no space for thinking, reflection, speculation, analyzing, or interpretations during intensive practice. 13. Generally meditation is for people with a normal and stable mind. If a person is mentally not in shape to do intensive meditation practice, especially to conform to the strict discipline, then that person may not be admitted as a yogi. Ovadacariya Sayadaw |
Daily Schedule | |
03:00 | Wake up bell |
04:00-- 05:00 | Sitting Meditation |
05:00-- 06:00 | Breakfast and Practice |
06:00-- 07:00 | Sitting Meditation |
07:00 -- 08:00 | Walking Meditation |
08:00-- 09:00 | Sitting Meditation |
09:00-- 10:00 | Bathing or Practice |
10:00-- 12:00 | Lunch, Rest or Practice |
12:00-- 13:00 | Sitting Meditation |
13:00-- 14:00 | Walking Meditation |
14:00 -- 16:00 | Dhamma Talk, Discussion |
16:00 -- 17:00 | Sitting Meditation |
17:00 -- 18:00 | Walking Meditation |
18:00 -- 19:00 | Sitting Meditation |
19:00 -- 20:00 | Walking Meditation |
20:00 -- 21:00 | Sitting Meditation |
21:00 -- 23:00 | Optional Practice. |
Weekly Schedule | ||
| Sunday | Discussion | |
| Monday | Dhamma Talk | |
| Tuesday | Interview | |
| Wednesday | Dhamma Talk | |
| Thursday | Interview | |
| Friday | Dhamma Talk | |
| Saturday | Interview | |
PUBLICATIONS1. "In This Very Life: The Liberation Teachings of the Buddha",Translated by Ven. U Aggacitta, Buddhist Publication Society, 1992. 2. "On the Path to Freedom: A mind of Wise Discernment and Openness", Translated by Mya Thaung, Buddhist Wisdom Centre, 1995. 3. "The Way to the Happiness of Peace", Compiled by Ven. Sujiva, Inward Path Publisher, 1997. 4. "Rain Drops in Hot Summer: Words of Advice from Sayadaw U Pandita", Compiled by Tharmanay Kyaw, Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre, 1994. | ||
Sayadaw U Pandita | The Way to practise |  |
Sayadaw U Pandita | Dhamma Discussion Series: Vol. 1, 1997 |  |
U Hla Myint Kyaw | "Questions & Answers" |  |
Tharmanay Kyaw Sayadaw | Great Gifts and Giving Well |  |
Tharmanay Kyaw Sayadaw | "The Pagodas of Shwe Taung Gon" | |
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