Source: Dieter Baltruschat, as of September 2009
Address: Panditarama Meditation Centre
80 A, Thanlwin Road
Shwe Gon Dine P.O.
Bahan 11201
Yangon
Myanmar
Tel: +95 1 535 448, +95 1 705 525
Tel: Forest Meditation Centre ( Hse Main Gon): +95 1 247 211
Email:
Arrival: It is best to go to the Panditarama city center, where a ride is usually organized. Otherwise, take a taxi for a maximum of 10 – 20 US$ or take the cheapest public bus towards Bago and get off at the sign and walk about 2 km.
Cheap flights to Bangkok are available from 500 euros. A return ticket Bangkok/Yangon is available from 180 euros, but the price is usually around 1000 euros. The flight via Bangkok has the advantage that a Myanmar visa can be obtained there in a few days in an emergency.
Entry requirements: A visa is absolutely necessary and can be obtained from the embassy (Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, Thielallee 19, 14195 Berlin, Tel. 030-2061570, Fax 030-20615720). A tourist visa is valid for four weeks. If you want to enter with a meditation visa, you must request a so-called “Sponsorship letter” from the center (form on the homepage), which must be sent to the Burmese embassy together with the visa application. However, you should allow enough time for processing, about three months. Visa extensions may be possible; bring enough passport photos for the various forms (approx. 10 pieces).
Registration: Written pre-registration is recommended via the Panditarama Meditation Centre in Yangon.
Leadership: Sayadaw U Pandita, teaching since 1951, is considered one of the most important teachers in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw and has many years of experience with Western students.
Description: The Hse Main Gon Forest Meditation Center is a spacious facility located near the main road between Yangon and Bago, about an hour’s drive from Yangon. In the area originally overgrown with bamboo bushes, there are three lakes. Reforestation projects have been running for several years, and many trees have been planted. The center was specially designed for the needs of Western meditators. The kutis (huts) are very comfortable; women and men live in separate areas. Among other buildings, there is a large meditation hall, and another is under construction.
Tradition and Teacher: Theravada, meditation method of Mahasi Sayadaw.
Intensive Vipassana meditation practice.
As a rule, at least one meditation teacher is always present at the center, who gives individual meditation instructions during the interviews that take place several times a week. The teachers at Panditarama enjoy a very good reputation!
Information about teachers and the center can be found here.
Meditation technique: In the Vipassana meditation method according to Mahasi Sayadaw, great emphasis is placed on the development of continuous mindfulness (no breaks). During formal meditation, sitting and walking alternate every hour. Outside of formal meditation, mindfulness is directed to the current activity such as eating, walking, washing, etc. The primary meditation object during sitting meditation is usually the rising and falling of the abdomen. An interview with the meditation teacher takes place several times a week.
Rules: Each participant should dedicate at least 14 hours daily to formal practice (walking and sitting meditation) and limit other activities (e.g., washing clothes) to a minimum. Reading, writing (except notes), and walks should be avoided. In addition, the eight silas (moral precepts) should be observed. Clothing should be comfortable, practical, and appropriate (no shorts or sleeveless T-shirts). Traditionally, white blouses and shirts are recommended; women and men wear a brown longyi (sarong or wrap skirt), which is available there.
Course duration and dates: As a rule, no group retreats take place; the recommended length of stay is three months, but at least a few weeks.
It is highly recommended to participate in the annual retreat of the Saddhamma Foundation (usually 8 weeks in December and January), as Sayadaw U Pandita usually gives the lectures and the best meditation teachers are present, plus there is group support.
Language(s): The teachings are given in Burmese and translated into English. During the interview, a translator is present, as the teachers usually speak only a little English.
Accommodation: Spacious, comfortable single and double bungalows (each with an individual room, shared bathroom) with bathroom (sink, shower, toilet) are available for meditators. The long terrace is well suited for walking meditation. Electricity is available at certain times. Bed with relatively good mattress, bed linen and blanket, pillow, mosquito net, bucket for washing, thermos flask, and umbrella (also very useful as sun protection during the hot season) are part of the basic equipment.
Meals: Breakfast at 5:30 and lunch at 10:30.
The food is plentiful, tasty, and hygienically prepared. Breakfast is quite varied (e.g., noodle soup, egg, porridge, fruits, biscuits). For lunch, there is rice, two to three vegetarian dishes (sometimes tofu), usually two non-vegetarian dishes, and fruits. Tea or coffee is also available. Vegetarian diet is possible without any problems. In the evening at 5:00 p.m., juice is served.
After breakfast and lunch, you can have your thermos flask filled with hot water. Drinking water is filtered and therefore generally drinkable (caution is still advised). Greater safety through brought disinfectant or boiled water or your own water filter. Sometimes large mineral water containers are set up for filling water bottles. For longer stays, it is worth considering bringing nuts (for vegetarians), vitamin tablets, mineral tablets, and sweets (sugar and fruit juice may be enjoyed in the evening). Food must be stored ant-proof!
Medical care: The hygienic conditions are good by Burmese standards. There is a low risk of malaria. Medicines are scarce and must be brought in sufficient quantities (antibiotics, Halfan, first aid kit) and should be donated afterwards. Sometimes a doctor is present. In general, medical care in Burma is much worse than in Europe.
Costs: The maintenance of the center is financed exclusively through donations and therefore depends on the voluntary support of retreat participants.
Climate: Tropical climate; the cooler dry season from November to February (very hot from March) are the most favorable months.
To bring: Insect repellent, water disinfectant, and medicines should be brought from home in sufficient quantities. A light sleeping bag and a warm fleece jacket are useful especially during the winter months (night and morning meditation can otherwise be quite chilly). A German/English dictionary can be helpful for the interview. Sitting mats are available, but a sitting cushion should be brought.
Everyday items such as toiletries, flashlight, batteries, bathing slippers, and water bottle are available in Yangon. In an emergency or during long retreats, the management takes care of small errands (soap that has run out, …).
Book recommendation: Sayadaw U Pandita: “In this Very Life” or German translation: “Im Augenblick liegt alles Leben”, O.W. Barth Verlag. The English version can be downloaded here.
Some interesting German-language books (including by Mahasi Sayadaw) can be purchased or downloaded on the homepage of Zeh Verlag www.zeh-verlag.de.
Note: Very good for serious practitioners with retreat experience and a desire for intensive practice, good conditions.
Retreat information on the internet: www.saddhamma.org
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