Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre

Source
Ayya Ariya Nani, as of August 2007

Address
Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre
Shwe U Min Street, No. 3 Highway
Laydaungkan
Mingaladon Township
Pale PO 11022
Yangon

Tel. +95 980 23 507

Internet: www.vipassana-metta.com

Arrival
From the city center, a taxi costs about 15 US$, from the airport it is about 10 US$. From the city center (Sule Pagoda) there are also public buses. From the bus stop it is only about a 2-minute walk to the center.

Entry Requirements
A visa is absolutely necessary. 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 or from Ven. Ariya Ñani and send it together with the visa application to the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar. You should allow about three months for processing. Visa extensions are only possible for meditation visas; bring enough passport photos for the various forms (about 10). Those who enter with a tourist visa and stay longer than four weeks can pay ‘overstay’ at the airport upon departure. For each day overstayed, you pay 3 US$.

Leadership
Sayadaw U Indaka was born in 1952. At a young age, he entered the local monastery as a novice. Later he moved to the famous Mahagandhayon Monastery in Amarapura, where his older brother also was. In 1972 he was ordained as a monk by Mahagandhayon Sayadaw. He completed his study of the Buddhist scriptures with the Dhammacariya examination, and afterwards he taught the scriptures for 10 years. In 1976 he practiced Vipassana meditation at the Mahasi Meditation Center in Mandalay, taught by Chanmyay Sayadaw. A few years later he went to the Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Center in Yangon, where Chanmyay Sayadaw assigned him to teach meditators. In 1996, Chanmyay Sayadaw sent him as abbot and meditation teacher to the newly opened Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Center in Hmawbi. Since 2004 he has been living in his center on the outskirts of Yangon and teaches both Burmese and foreign meditators. Sayadaw U Indaka has written several books. His book on the practice of Metta meditation has been translated into English and German. (The German book is available from Zeh Verlag.) The book on the factors of enlightenment is currently being translated into English and German.

Description
The center is located at the northern city limit of Yangon, about 20 minutes from the airport, not far from the well-known Shwe U Min Meditation Center. Accommodations are available in kutis (bungalows with two rooms, bath/WC) or single rooms with private bath/WC in the new ‘Sangha-Gonye’ building. There are several meditation halls, one of them on the top floor of the ‘Sangha-Gonye’ building, which was built especially for foreign meditators.

Meditation Technique
Based on Mahasi Sayadaw’s method of Vipassana meditation/insight meditation. Formal meditation takes place alternately in sitting and walking, the times are adapted to the respective level of the meditator. The primary meditation object in sitting meditation is the rising and falling of the abdomen. In addition, great emphasis is placed on developing continuous and uninterrupted mindfulness also during daily activities. This includes everything outside of formal sitting and walking meditation. Thus, all movements while eating, dressing, getting up, etc. are consciously made slowly in order to be mindful in every moment.

Rules
All meditators practice from 4 a.m. until at least 9:30 p.m. and must observe the eight precepts. Temporary ordination is possible for women and men. During the retreat, meditators observe noble silence; reading and writing are also not permitted (except brief notes for the interview). Walks outside the center are prohibited; only in emergencies may one leave the center. Therefore, everything necessary should be planned and organized beforehand. International phone calls can be made and received from the center, but only in emergencies.

Clothing

The Burmese “yogi clothing” is recommended: white or light blouse/T-shirt and brown longyi (sarong) for women, white or light shirt/T-shirt and longyi for men. These garments can be obtained there easily and quite cheaply, or can be borrowed at the center.

Course Duration and Dates
Since no group retreats take place, there are no dates to observe. Entry is possible at any time; the minimum stay is ten days, with no upper limit. Special arrangements are possible with prior clarification.

Language(s)
Instructions, talks, and interviews are given by Sayadaw U Indaka. They are translated into English by a female translator. The Swiss nun Ven. Ariya Ñani stays at the center during the cool season (approx. December to March). Thus, the instructions, talks, and interviews can also be translated into German and French. It is also possible to receive instruction directly from Ven. Ariya Ñani. Please inquire when she is there.

Accommodation
Meditators are accommodated either in kutis (bungalows) with two rooms each and shower/WC or in the single rooms of the ‘Sangha-Gonye’ building. In the room there is a bed, a chest of drawers, and a table; also mattress, bed linen, pillow, blanket, mosquito net, and thermos flask are provided by the center. All rooms have fine nets in front of the windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

Meals
Two substantial meals are served daily. Breakfast is at 5:30 a.m. (full meal with fried rice/noodles or noodle soup as well as fruits, cake, coffee or tea) and lunch at 10:30 a.m. (rice with five to seven different curries, fruits, desserts). One can choose between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. In the evening at about 5 p.m. there are fruit juices. The thermos flask can be refilled with hot water during meals. There is also clean, filtered drinking water.

Medical Care
Doctors regularly come to the center and treat meditators free of charge. Western and traditional Burmese medicines are available.

Costs
The center is financed exclusively through donations. (Credit cards and traveler’s checks are not accepted.)

Climate
Tropical climate, most favorable during the monsoon (very high humidity) and the cool season (December to February).

To Bring
Insect repellent (the area around Yangon is malaria-free), personal medications, warm sweater and socks for the cool season (November to February), sitting cushion. Most daily necessities such as soap, toothpaste, flashlight, batteries are available in Yangon.

Note
Please clarify whether Sayadaw U Indaka and/or Ven. Ariya Nani are at the center. Both travel abroad regularly.