U Mandala Coming Down Under

As a previous post shared, U Mandala has been working towards plans to visit Australia. Many will recall that U Mandala is the disciple of the great Webu Sayadaw, having begun his meditation practice by learning at the foot of this revered monk. He is also the calm, welcoming presence seen in the Webu biopic documentary Anthology of a Noble One, and a still from this feature is shown above. As U Mandala has only traveled outside of Myanmar once (to Singapore), this will be a monumental trip indeed for the senior Ingyinbin monk. 

U Mandala needs to attend to his monastic duties during Thingyan, or Burmese Water Festival, which takes place in mid-April. He therefore plans to visit Australia from early May and may stay for several months. While here, he hopes to attend several Sayagyi U Goenka ten-day courses, visit Burmese and international Theravadin monasteries, and meet local meditators who have met him in Burma or who are interested in the lineage of Webu Sayadaw.

For those who would like to support this noble trip, there are ways that meditators and readers of this blog can take part. First, a dana (donation) fund is now being collected on U Mandala's behalf. This money will go towards covering his expenses, such as transportation, food, visa, and other logistics. Secondly, one can offer one or several meals to U Mandala. Thirdly, one can offer to help U Mandala with either accommodation or transportation. And finally, one can invite U Mandala to visit one's home region (including parts of Australia and possibly New Zealand as well). For anyone who is interested in being involved, please email at burmadhamma@gmail.

There is also the possibility that U Mandala may be available to meet meditators and possibly give a presentation. As the details of his trip get closer, this will be shared in further detail.

U Mandala of Webu Sayadaw Monastery to visit Australia

As was detailed in the wonderful Webu Sayadaw biopic Anthology of a Noble One, U Mandala is a senior monk charged with overseeing much of Webu's former Ingyinbin monastery. Single-handedly he has made sure that the sacred site remain open to foreign devotees in the years since his master's passing, and he has cared for them throughout their stay. Having learned the meditation method of Webu Sayadaw as a 17 year old novice, he now teaches it to the many novices currently at his Ingyinbin monastery.

U Mandala has been invited to visit Australia this year. Any Australian-based meditator (or perhaps those in New Zealand) who would like to welcome him during his visit, please contact us (burmadhamma@gmail) and we can forward your request to U Mandala. There may also be opportunities to offer lunch to the venerable monk during his stay down under.

Shwe Lan Editor to give presentation at Naropa University

The editor and creator of the upcoming meditator guidebook to Burma (Shwe Lan Ga Lay) will be giving a free presentation at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. It will take place in the Learning Commons at 5:30 pm, Tuesday January 20th. Anyone who is interested to learn more about this book, upcoming pilgrimages, modern Myanmar, or traditional Burmese Buddhism is welcome to attend. Following the presentation, there will be a Question & Answer period and a showing of Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One.

Alms Rounds in Ingyinbin

During the Pariyatti pilgrimage in 2014, a Dutch monk and German nun joined a recently ordained New Zealand monk for his first alms rounds in Ingyinbin. This is the small village in Upper Burma where Webu Sayadaw was born, ordained, reached nibbana, and passed away. Also helping out was an American yogi who himself later ordained for three months.

A local villager pays respects to two foreign monks on alms rounds

Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One

Thanks to new YouTube features, we are now able to share the entire one hour documentary on the life of the renowned Burmese monk Webu Sayadaw.

A Kiwi Monk at Webu Monastery in Ingyinbin

During the recently completed Burma pilgrimage, New Zealander Russell Quinn made the decision to ordain for 10 days at Webu Monastery in Ingyinbin, ordaining in the very Sima Hall as Webu himself once did, and becoming only the second foreigner to ever ordain there. An initial seed for this decision was planted after watching the documentary, "Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One" and seeing the welcoming presence of U Mandala. After Russell was given the Pali name U Sassana, his shaven hair was then put under the very same Bodhi tree where Webu Sayadaw placed Sayagyi U Ba Khin's hairs when he ordained in 1965. Now back in New Zealand, Russell has shared his experiences with the yatra group, and gave permission to post his words to provide inspiration with the wider world. A series of journal entries from this yatra are also available, most having been written by Kory Goldberg, and excerpts from the second yatra (currently in progress) begin here. Kory also wrote about the experience of Russell's own ordination and his own impressions at the time that it happened in January 2014.

For current pilgrimage offerings, see here.

"Minggulabah,

Just arrived back in New Zealand from the Dhamma Land: here is a short summary of my time as U Sassana and the remainder of the trip.

Once your bus had left, I felt very fortunate and joyful with the realization that I now had this wonderful opportunity to meditate in such an environment as a monk for 10 days. Amazing! How did this happen?

Once I locked into the 10 Day course routine it really didn't feel that different living as a monk than it does when one renounces for a course. Had I ordained for a longer period or even for life this no doubt would have been different. Although being in noble silence, with eyes downcast and with the attention focused inside, I did observe to some degree the community of monks at Ingynbin, to see just how they acted and lived. It seems as though they had individual practices and routines. I am very grateful for the introduction that U Agga gave me but felt a little frustrated by my lack of knowledge. In hindsight some prior inquiry would have been wise.

I sat with Sayadaw U Ku Tah La each morning for breakfast at Patipatti and he was obviously very keen to talk, but with our lack of a common language, conversation didn't go past learning the Burmese names for the different dishes. I would have liked to have talked to him about the vinaya and what the monks practice, if the discourses that often played where by Webu Saydaw and what it was that some monks were chanting etc. 

The one outstanding difference I felt was that of increased mindfulness and that more worldly thoughts subsided. After disrobing I felt less protected from the influences of mara. While being whisked out of Mandalay in the air conditioned shuttle to the airport, with thoughts surfacing about heading back to New Zealand, I saw a monk on alms round and that seemed to be clearly the more wise choice. The seed has been planted now: who knows if it will be given water in the future.

On day 7 I got sick. Uh-oh! This is what I didn't want to happen. I was resting, observing the sensation of nausea, when two novices who had been serving me very attentively at lunch time at Pariyatti, appeared to check on me - as I hadn't gone to lunch. They came back that evening with some "Buddha medicine" (two types of honey, one very dark strong one and a light clear one), energy drink and bottled water. The next day there was an improvement so I went for lunch and they had prepared some more "Buddha medicine". This time it was a soup - chicken I think - and some bread and other more plain food. That evening they arrived again at the kuti with more of the honey and drinks. I was very touched by their concern and care. Truly heeding the Buddha's teaching about caring for the sanga. 

One of the novice's, Nimon who is 17, is going to be sponsored by one of the Thai women next year to attend a special university for Buddhist studies in Chaing Mai. As Alex said "I think he will be quite an exceptional monk".

Ingynbin is certainly a strong place to meditate and I felt very much at home there, however, thanks to the advent of the megaphone, at times it was a case of meditating on the arising and passing of sounds. At one time there were three at once from three sides and not always carrying Dhamma messages. We tend to get used to our usually quiet meditation centres........ annica. The Dhamma hall was looking pretty good with it's new paint and there were a few well to do visitors, so perhaps the support for the monastery is on the rise. I have just heard that two NZ friends were there last year too.

The mud building at Pariyatti was finished up to roof level with lovely 3D sculptural images of flowers and Burmese lettering on the walls. It will be a great little guest room when finished. U Mandala escorted myself and the Thai group to Mandalay where he spent the day showing them some sites with U Vassa, while I went to Sagiang, thanks to the help from Ma Khaing and for the recommendation from U Agga, to a very beautiful and tranquil monastery for 3 1/2 days. The Sayadaw is a very kind and gentle person and although I was once again frustrated with the lack of a common language, he kindly showed me some of the special sites nearby, including the monastery where the yatra group stayed and the one where you did your one day sitting. I occasionally have the pang of regret at not staying with the group but do think that my solo experience was what was required for my journey.

Back in Mandalay I meditated for some time again at Maha Muni, which being a Sunday was thriving with people and there was even a group of students enthusiastically cleaning floors, walls and everything. On one side of me there was a monk reciting and on the other side someone else chanting and there were of course pigeons and other noises galore but in spite all of these potential distractions, the Dhamma vibration was strongest, which in a way sums up my overall impression of Burma. Two feelings that were almost constantly there throughout this journey and are there now are gratitude and compassion.

Deep gratitude to all those past and present who have continued the teaching and spread of Buddha Dhamma.

May all those who helped to make this and future pilgrimages to Dhamma lands possible gain plentiful merits.

With much metta,

Russell"

Webu Sayadaw Book

Here is a photo of a Webu Sayadaw illustration from the front cover of a Burmese book that is about the venerable monk, from Kyaukse. For more about Webu Sayadaw's life, you can refer to the documentary Anthology of a Noble One.

Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One (7 of 7)

This 7 part series looks at the life of one of Burma's most renowned and respected monks, Webu Sayadaw, who was recognized as having reached nibbana.  Using interviews and archival footage, the series examines Webu's life, teachings, and influences on modern day meditation movements.

Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One (6 of 7)

This 7 part series looks at the life of one of Burma's most renowned and respected monks, Webu Sayadaw, who was recognized as having reached nibbana.  Using interviews and archival footage, the series examines Webu's life, teachings, and influences on modern day meditation movements.

Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One (5 of 7)

This 7 part series looks at the life of one of Burma's most renowned and respected monks, Webu Sayadaw, who was recognized as having reached nibbana.  Using interviews and archival footage, the series examines Webu's life, teachings, and influences on modern day meditation movements.

Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One (4 of 7)

This 7 part series looks at the life of one of Burma's most renowned and respected monks, Webu Sayadaw, who was recognized as having reached nibbana.  Using interviews and archival footage, the series examines Webu's life, teachings, and influences on modern day meditation movements.

Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One (3 of 7)

This 7 part series looks at the life of one of Burma's most renowned and respected monks, Webu Sayadaw, who was recognized as having reached nibbana.  Using interviews and archival footage, the series examines Webu's life, teachings, and influences on modern day meditation movements.

Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One (2 of 7)

This 7 part series looks at the life of one of Burma's most renowned and respected monks, Webu Sayadaw, who was recognized as having reached nibbana.  Using interviews and archival footage, the series examines Webu's life, teachings, and influences on modern day meditation movements.

Webu Sayadaw: Anthology of a Noble One (1 of 7)

This 7 part series looks at the life of one of Burma's most renowned and respected monks, Webu Sayadaw, who was recognized as having reached nibbana.  Using interviews and archival footage, the series examines Webu's life, teachings, and influences on modern day meditation movements.