Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre Hmawbi

Source
Ayya Ariya Nani, as of April 2007

Address
Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre
Shansu
Hmawbi
Myanmar

Tel. +95 1 620 321

Internet: www.chanmyay.org

Arrival
From the Chanmyay Yeiktha city center there are often ride-sharing opportunities. From the city center, a taxi costs about 10 US$, from the airport it is about 7 US$. From the city center (Sule Pagoda) there are also public, direct buses. From the bus stop (Chanmyay Yeiktha Hmawbi) it is about a 10-minute walk.

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 main center and send it together with the visa application to the Burmese embassy. One should allow about three months for processing. Visa extensions are also possible; bring enough passport photos for the various forms (about 10 pieces).

Description
The forest meditation center is located about 1 hour’s drive north of Yangon, outside the small town of Hmawbi (road to Bagan). The grounds are very spacious with many large, shade-giving trees and countless shrubs with fragrant blossoms. It is surrounded by typical Burmese quarters and villages. Accommodation is provided in kutis (bungalows with two rooms). There are several meditation halls as well as special, covered outdoor meditation benches under the trees, where sitting and walking meditation can be practiced in nature.

Meditation Technique
Based on Mahasi Sayadaw’s method of Vipassana meditation/insight meditation. Formal meditation takes place alternately sitting and walking, the times are adapted to the respective level of the meditator. The primary meditation object during 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, getting up, etc. are consciously made slowly in order to be mindful in every moment.

Rules
All meditators practice from 3:30 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; one may leave the center only in emergencies. Therefore, everything necessary should be planned and organized beforehand. From the center, one can receive international phone calls, but cannot make calls abroad.

Clothing

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, but they are also provided by 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.

Language(s)
During the Vassa (three months during the monsoon), Sayadaw U Janaka comes regularly to the forest center for interviews with foreigners. Otherwise, interviews are normally translated. Ven. Ariya Nani (Swiss nun) translates from Burmese into English, German, or French. She is also available to meditators for teachings and interviews. Since she also gives courses abroad, please inquire when she is in Hmawbi. Ven. Nyanaramsi (Malaysian monk) also gives teachings and interviews in English or Chinese.

Accommodation
Meditators are housed in kutis (bungalows) each with two rooms and shower/WC. In the room there is a bed and a table; mattress, bed linen, pillow, blanket, mosquito net, and thermos flask are also provided by the center. All kutis 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.

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

What to Bring
Insect repellent (Hmawbi is malaria-free), personal medications, warm sweater and socks for the cool season (November to February), sitting cushion.
Most everyday items such as soap, toothpaste, flashlight, batteries are available in Hmawbi.

Note
Mostly, foreigners prefer the quieter forest center to the somewhat noisy city center. Very suitable for beginners as well as for long-term meditators. Foreigners are treated very courteously.

On buddhanet.net there are some photos from the Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre.