The Panditarama is located in a relatively quiet area in an outer district of Yangon. It was founded in 1990 by Venerable Sayadaw U Pandita, one of the most important teachers of the Mahasi tradition. In the quite compact center, there is a stylish and relatively large meditation hall in one building. There is an information office where very good books by Sayadaw U Pandita can be purchased inexpensively. At Panditarama, mainly Burmese yogis practice. Western practitioners are usually recommended to go to the forest center Hse Main Gon, about one to two hours away by car, which offers optimal practice conditions. However, Panditarama usually serves as the first point of contact, as it can be reached quickly from the city center of Yangon.
Arrival: The taxi ride from the airport costs about 5 US$, from the city center of Yangon about 2 US$.
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. Those who want to enter with a meditation visa 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, one should allow enough time for processing, about three months. Visa extensions may be possible; bring enough passport photos for the various forms (about 10 pieces).
Registration: Written pre-registration recommended!
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. The teachers at Panditarama enjoy a very good reputation!
Tradition and teachers: Information about the teacher and center can be found here.
Meditation technique: Observation of body, feelings, mind, and mind objects. The primary meditation object during sitting meditation is usually the rising and falling of the abdomen. Several times a week there is an interview with the meditation teacher.
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 precepts (moral training rules) 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: Since no group retreats take place, no dates need to be observed.
Language(s): During the interview, a translator is present, as the teachers usually speak only a little English.
Accommodation: Accommodations with clean sanitary facilities are available for meditators. Bed with relatively good mattress, bed linen and blanket, pillow, mosquito net, and thermos flask are provided by the center.
Meals: The food is plentiful, tasty, and hygienically prepared. Vegetarian diet is easily possible. In the evening at 5:00 p.m., juice is served. After breakfast (5 a.m.) and lunch (10 a.m.), the thermos flask can be refilled with hot water. Drinking water is filtered and therefore usually drinkable (caution is still advised). Higher safety with brought disinfectant. Sometimes large mineral water containers are set up for filling water bottles.
Costs: The maintenance of the center is financed exclusively by donations and therefore depends on the voluntary support of retreat participants.
To bring: Insect repellent, water disinfectant, and medication should be brought from home in sufficient quantities. A light sleeping bag and a warm fleece jacket are useful especially during the winter months. 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.
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: Definitely worth a visit; for longer stays, the forest center Hse Main Gon is usually better suited.
Branch monasteries:
Branch monasteries in Myanmar
Hse Main Gon Forest Center
Pyin U Lwin (Maymyo)
Mawlamyaing
Branch monasteries worldwide
Panditarama Sydney
70 Market Street, Smithfield NSW 2164, Sydney, Australia
Tel: +61 02 9729 2343
Email:
Panditarama Lumbini International Vipassana Meditation Centre
Lumbini Garden, Nepal
Tel. 00977-71-80118
Tathagata Meditation Centre
1215 Lucretia Avenue, San Jose, CA 95122, USA
Tel. (408) 294-4536, (408) 977 0300
E-Mail: