Theravāda Buddhism has been flourished the most in Union of Myanmar among other Buddhist countries all over the world. Eighty-six percent of total population in Myanmar follows Buddhism and the country’s landscape is endowed with pagodas, Buddhist temples and Buddhist monasteries that make the land more serene and more peaceful.
Buddhism, as we call, is infact not an “sim”. It is the teaching of Buddha. It explains the truth of nature and it shows the way to liberate from Sāmsāra, the never ending cycle of birth and death.
According to Buddhist literature, throughout his Buddhahood of forty-five years, Lord Buddha taught and reminded his followers one thousand seven-hundred and ninety-two times to practice Insight Meditation. This shed a light on how important it is to practice meditation.
Meritorious deeds such as making donations and observing precepts alone are incapable of making us escape from Sāmsāra, through they are reliable contributors on our path to achieve ultimate freedom. Insight meditation is the only means that ensures us to realize Nibānna (Nivana).
Insight Meditation (Vipasanā)
To practice Insight Meditation, one needs to have prior knowledge of specific teachings of Buddha. Buddhist meditation centres in Myanmar provide such knowledge together with appropriate such knowledge together with appropriate meditation methods. The question of “Why meditate” is as important as “How to meditate” in order to ensure that practicing meditation is not mere sitting or walking which can not lead to the realization of Nibānna but just to develop concentration. This is not to say there shall be no benefit nor advantage in practicing meditation without prior knowledge. According to Buddha, good mind and evil mind are alternately arising all the time, but not at the same time. While meditating, our mind is peaceful and calm for a certain moment, which deters evil mind to arise and good mind arises instead.
However, this peaceful state of mind is not our final destination. It would lead us to be reborn at higher planes like the planes of Brahma or the planes of celestial beings in our next existence, however, there is always a possibility for us to be reborn at lower planes including hell, for we also have done evil deeds in our past lives and the present life.
Thus we will fully utilize our human capacity only if we practice Insight Meditation which enables us to eliminate greed, anger and ignorance and to realize Nibānna.
In the famous Kālāma Sutta, Buddha invites everyone to try his teachings by saying “Come, try and see the results for yourself”. This is very challenging and at the same time, we come to aware that Buddhism is not a blind-folded philosophy.
The teaching shows the way to keep your mine as clean as white cotton. Power of mind is so immense, and this piece of mind is difficult to get stabled, mind is emotion, mind is misty, mind is brilliant, mine can create any thing according to your will.
Mind can some time stressed out due heavy load of work or personal matters.
It is important to replenish our mind or to purify your mind by taking meditation classes.
In order to spend your precious time efficiently, it is advised to visit Myanmar so as to practice Insight Meditation that will free you from Samsara, the wheel of sufferings. “Seven Star Tours” will not only introduce you to Myanmar Culture and Nature but also help you to achieve the ultimate goal of life which is to realize Nibānna.
Notes
Myanmar Tourist Visa is valid for 28 days only. You can use this visa for short practice like 10days meditation classes. For longer period of practice like one month or more, it is appropriate to obtain a Meditation VISA before coming to Myanmar. You are also required to provide a sponsorship letter from the meditation centre to obtain such visa.
You are obliged to inform us about 10 days before your arrival.
Most of the meditation centres have fix daily schedule and restriction. Smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco or betel nut and the use of recreational drugs are strictly prohibited.
Most of the centre will provide with food and lodging including a mosquito net, sheet, pillow and pillow case, blanket and a thermos bottle (flask). Costs are met through the generous donations of well-wishers.
There is no limitation for the period and donation money.
Other personal items including medicines, vitamins and toiletries, if there are particular brands or specific items you require.
(Above mentioned may be different depending on the meditation center you choose.)
Meditation Centers in Myanmar
Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre
Address: 55A Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
Kaba Aye P.O. Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: +95-1-661479 Fax: +95-1-667050
Tradition: Vipassana using the Mahasi Sayadaw method
Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre (Hmawbi)
Address: 588, No. 3 Block, Hmawbi Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: +95–1-620 321
Tradition: Vipassana using the Mahasi Sayadaw method
Dhamma Joti Vipassana Centre
Address: Wingaba Yele Kyaung, Nga HtatGyi Pagoda Road,
Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: +95-1-549 290
Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha Meditation Centre
Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organisation
Address: No 16, Sasana Yeiktha Road, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: +95-1-541971, +95-1-552501
Fax: +95-1-289960, +95-1-289961
Mahavijayaransi Vijjalaya and Mahaatularansi Dhamma Yeiktha
Address: Kya-Swa Chanung (Valley) Sagasaing Hills, Sagaing Township, Myanmar
Tel: +95-72-21541
Fax: +95-72-22034
Tradition: Vipassana using the Mahasi Sayadaw method
Panditarama Shwe Taung Gon Meditation Centre
Address: 80 A, Thanlwin Road, Shwe Gon Dine P.O., Bahan
Yangon, Myanmar Tel: +95-1-535448, +95-1-705525
Pak Auk Forest Monastery
Address: 653 Lower Main Road
Mawlamyine, Mon State, Myanmar
Tel: +95-32-22132
Method: Pha Auk method of meditation
Shwe Oo Min Dhamma Sukha Yeiktha
Address: Aung Myay Thar Yar Road, Gone Tala Poung village
Mingaladon township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel. +95-1-636402
Tradition: Cittanupassana Vipassana Meditation Method