A Tree in Ingyinbin

John from New Zealand took this photo at Kan Oo Monastery in Ingyinbin, the site most associated with Webu Sayadaw. This is a tree from the "Pariyatti Monastery" in the village, and one that John especially resonated with. It also has some history-- as a young novice, Shin Kumara (who would later be known as Webu Sayadaw, after the Webula Hills in Kyaukse) used to water this tree every day. Before this, when still a lay boy, his father had also given him the task of throwing pebbles to shoo away birds landing on the rice paddy, but he ultimately refused to do this task as it disturbed the birds, showing his compassion at even a young age.

This March, there will be a ten day silent meditation retreat in the tradition of Sayagyi U Goenka held at Ingyinbin, the 8th overall that has taken place there. This will be a very unique and precious opportunity for meditators to sit at the very site where Webu Sayadaw instructed thousands in meditation.

A Special Tree in Ingyinbin

Three large trees are planted in a line at Webu Monastery in Ingyinbin. One is Lin Loon, and the other two are Bodhi trees. The largest one is in the northwest corner. Between the branches of the second Bodhi tree, Webu Sayadaw instructed Sayagyi U Ba Khin to place the hair that had just been shaven from his head for his 1965 ordination. With this, he also made the prediction that U Ba Khin would play an important role in spreading Buddha’s teachings, reportedly telling him that “Buddha’s teaching are in your hands.” U Ba Khin himself scooped up half of his hair and placed them in medicine bottles, putting them on his Buddha alter back at International Meditation Centre (IMC). Today, every IMC pagoda in the world has some of this hair enshrined in it. Before leaving the compound after disrobing, U Ba Khin offered dana to repair the walls and seating areas around these trees.

Pilgrims from the 2013-4 Pariyatti Pilgrimage can be seen walking around the tree. A travel diary from this trip can be read here, and information about upcoming pilgrimages can be found here.