Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre Yangon

Source: Ayya Ariya Nani, as of April 2007

Address: Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre
55A, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
Mayangone P.O.
Yangon 11061
Myanmar

Tel. +95 1 661 479
Fax: +95 1 667 050

Internet: www.chanmyay.org
E-Mail 1:
E-Mail 2:

Branch monasteries in Myanmar

Chanmyay Yeiktha (Forest Centre in Hmawbi)
Shansu, Hmawbi, Myanmar
Tel. 0095-1-620321

Chanmyay Yeiktha (Pyin Oo Lwin)
Toe Gyi Koun Village
Near Anee Sakhann Railway Station
Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
Tel. 0095-85-22457

Chanmyay Yeiktha (Hinthada)
Targlay Quarter
Hinthada, Myanmar
Tel. 0095-44-21838

Chanmyay Yeiktha (Lei Way)
Lei Way Myo, Myanmar

Branch monasteries abroad

Dhammodaya Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre
45/1 MU4 Tambol Tanon Krad
Ampur Muang
Nakon Pathon 73000, Thailand
Tel: 0066-1-8109632
E-Mail:

Sitalarama Vihara
Myanmar Buddhist Temple
69 Martin Valley Road N.E
Calgary, AB T3J 4L9, Canada
Tel. 001-403-5687205

Dhammodaya Myanmar Vihara
30 Mackay Drive, Ashburton
Petermarizberg 3200, South Africa
Tel: 0027-33-3261463
E-Mail:

Arrival: The taxi ride from the airport costs about 5 US$, from the city center about 2 US$. If you inform the center of your arrival time at the airport early (about 1 week in advance), you will be picked up at the airport.

Entry requirements: A visa is absolutely necessary. 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, which must be sent together with the visa application to the Burmese embassy. However, you should allow enough time for processing, about three months. Visa extensions are only possible for meditation visas; bring enough passport photos for the various forms (about 10).

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Leadership: Sayadaw U Janaka was born in 1928 and still enjoys good health. He speaks excellent English. Since 1967 he has been working as a meditation teacher, first at the Mahasi Center, from 1977 in his own center. Since 1981 he travels abroad twice a year and gives meditation courses in various countries of the world.

Description: The Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre is located on the main road to the airport. It was founded in 1977 by Venerable Sayadaw U Janaka, who was one of the most important students of Mahasi Sayadaw. He also worked as a translator for Mahasi Sayadaw on his travels in Europe and the USA. The center consists of several buildings. Among other things, there is a four-story building that is specially intended for foreign meditators. On the four floors there are single rooms for women and men as well as separate meditation halls. The office is located to the right of the entrance gate and serves as the first point of contact.

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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 state 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 the development of constant and uninterrupted mindfulness also during daily activities. This includes everything that lies outside of formal sitting and walking meditation. Thus, all movements when eating, dressing, getting up, etc. are carried out consciously slowly in order to be mindful in every moment.

Rules: All meditators practice from 3:30 a.m. to 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 only leave the center in emergencies. Therefore, everything necessary should be planned and organized beforehand. The use of e-mail and fax is also only permitted in absolute 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, 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, there is no upper limit.

Language(s): Interviews and lectures in English. Sayadaw U Janaka and another Sayadaw who is responsible for the foreigners speak good English.

Accommodation: Foreigners are accommodated in the new four-story building. Clean single rooms are available, shared use of modern showers and toilets. A washing machine is also available. In the room there is a bed and a table, also mattress, bed linen, pillow, blanket, mosquito net and thermos flask are provided by the center.

Meals: Two rich 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 the meditators free of charge. Western and traditional Burmese medicines are available.

Costs: The maintenance of the center is financed exclusively by donations.

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

To bring: Insect repellent (Yangon is malaria-free), personal medication, 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 Yangon.

Note: Foreigners are treated very courteously.