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$, from the airport about 10 US$. 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. One 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, one pays 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 Centre in Mandalay, taught by Chanmyay Sayadaw. A few years later he went to the Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre 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 Centre 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 Centre. Accommodations include 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 adjusted 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 during eating, dressing, standing 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 short notes for the interview). Walks outside the center are prohibited; one may leave the center only in emergencies. 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, no dates need to be observed. 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): Teachings, 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 teachings, talks, and interviews can also be translated into German and French. It is also possible to be taught directly by 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.