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. 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; 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.
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).
Registration: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris. Erat lectus sem ut lobortis, adipiscing ligula eleifend, sodales fringilla mattis dui nullam. Ac massa aliquet.
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, and from 1977 in his own center. Since 1981 he has traveled abroad twice a year and gives meditation courses in various countries around 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 acted 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 designated 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.
Tradition and teacher: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris. Erat lectus sem ut lobortis, adipiscing ligula eleifend, sodales fringilla mattis dui nullam. Ac massa aliquet.
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 in sitting meditation is the rising and falling of the abdomen. In addition, great emphasis is placed on developing constant and uninterrupted mindfulness also during daily activities. This includes everything outside of formal sitting and walking meditation. Thus, all movements when eating, dressing, getting up, etc. are consciously performed 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 short 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. 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, with no upper limit.
Language(s): Interviews and lectures in English. Sayadaw U Janaka and another Sayadaw who is responsible for foreigners speak good English.
Accommodation: Foreigners are accommodated in the new four-story building. Clean single rooms are available, with shared use of modern showers and toilets. A washing machine is also available. 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.
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 maintenance of the center is financed exclusively through 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.