More photos from Sangha Dana at Wei Har Ree Nunnery

Ma Khaing has shared more photos of their Sangha Dana on October 16 at Wei Har Ree Nunnery in Mandalay, in honor of Ko Kyaw Ngwe. More information can be found here about the event.

Ma Khaing and family sort through offerings prior to giving them to the Sangha. Bhikkhu Agga can be seen standing on the right side

Ma Khaing stands at the head of a line of nuns as her daughters look on while smiling

Ma Khaing gives a collection of requisites to a young nun as her family looks on

Ma Khaing and her daughters prepare to offer requisite bags to nuns

Photos of Sangha Dana at Wei Har Ree Nunnery

Ma Khaing has shared photos from the Sangha Dana that was given in memory of our dear Dhamma friend Ko Kyaw Ngwe, and as was described by Bhikkhu Agga, who attended. Following are photos from event:

Ma Khaing presents robes to Bhikkhu Agga

Ma Khaing's family follows the traditional yay sat ceremony of pouring water at the end of the monk's Dhamma discourse

Bhikkhu Agga mindfully eats the Sangha Dana that was presented to him

Ma Khaing wanders through the nuns' hall refilling their food 

Sangha Dana at Mandalay Nunnery for Kyaw Ngwe

Bhikkhu Agga was in Mandalay and able to participate with the family in Ma Khaing as they offered dana at Wei Har Ree Nunnery in Mandalay, in memory of Ko Kyaw Ngwe. He offers his reflections on the event, to share with all those Dhamma friends who were there in spirit, if not body:

"I don't know what I can tell that might be interesting, everything went almost exactly as it should have gone :) 

Ma Khaing was nicely in control, without much stress, having time to meet and check up with everyone.

There were about 30 laypeople, 60 nuns, and 6 monks.
Monks were offered food at 10:30 a.m., a few minutes later the nuns, and when the monks finished their first course, the food was served to all the lay people in attendance. Around 11:15 the lay people took refuge in Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha) and then took the five precepts, followed by a Dhamma Desena (or Dhamma Talk by the Sayadaw), after which some more requisites were offered to the monks and nuns. When this all was done, merits were shared in U Kyaw Ngwe's name, and the visitors slowly departed.

One thing which struck me, was that even though the whole event was organized to share merits with U Kyaw Ngwe, it felt that in a way it worked also the other way around: it was because of U Kyaw Ngwe's good actions (kusala) in his human life, he was able to get now all these people together to get merits. Because of that, I there was a lot of Mudita and gratitude towards him :)"

Sangha Dana at a Mandalay Nunnery for Our Dhamma Friend Ko Kyaw Ngwe

In two days time, Ma Khaing and her family will donate generously at a Mandalay nunnery in honor of our dear Dhamma friend, Ko Kyaw Ngwe. He passed away on October 16, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. Ma Khaing wishes to inform meditators around the world so that they can do any of the following

• Join the ceremony on October 16 in Mandalay 
• Contribute to dana that will be given on this day 
• Send metta and keep their family in your hearts and mind on this day 
• Share stories or photos of Ko Kyaw Ngwe

May all beings be peaceful, happy, and liberated.

We remember Ko Kyaw Ngwe

A reminder that October 16 is the one year anniversary of the passing of Ko Kyaw Ngwe, a dear Dhamma friend of so many of us around the world. Those that wish to give dana to the Mandalay nunnery may do so via Ma Khaing, as details here explain. Meditators may also remember his family in their meditation and send metta on this important day.

One Year Anniversary of Ko Kyaw Ngwe's Passing

In January 2014, meditators gather for a group photo at Ma Khaing's restaurant after eating a vegetarian meal on the pilgrimage. Ma Khaing is in the middle, wearing purple.

For those yogis who have been coming to the Golden Land for Dhamma practice, Ko Kyaw Ngwe was much more than a guide and driver-- he was a dear friend and Dhamma brother. While the upcoming guidebook about Dhamma practice in Burma will be of benefit to thousands of yogis from around the world, Ko Kyaw Ngwe will always be remembered as the original guide who first led so many of us to these sacred sites, changing many lives in the process. Many hold a deep gratitude because of this. Dozens of meditators around the world sent their thoughts and metta to his family as he was battling cancer last year, and he passed away last fall.

In the time since, his family has continued to be a great support to any and all foreign meditators who pass through Upper Burma, whether it be making travel arrangements, helping with sudden emergencies, or simply providing a simple and nutritious vegetarian food. In the pilgrimages last year, meditators remember their meal as one of the best dining experiences of the three week trip-- not only because of the divine taste, but also for how much metta was cooked with it! (as can be remembered here, here, and here!) 

Ma Khaing with family outside her home

The one year anniversary of Ko Kyaw Ngwe's passing will be on October 16, and on this day his family will donate a great Sangha Dana to over 120 nuns in Mandalay at Wei Har Ree Nunnery. For all those who remember the kindness of Ko Kyaw Ngwe, or that of Ma Khaing and the extended family, they welcome anyone who wishes to join in the kusala actions and share in offering dana on this meritorious occasion. Any financial donation offered will go towards the giving of food, requisites, and other items to the nuns on this day. For those who wish to do so, donations can be made to Ko Kyaw Ngwe's friend in Yangon named Ko Htay Aung, who can be contacted here: teo.birmania(at)gmail.com. He will provide you with further details about how to transfer the funds, and small donations are gladly accepted for those who wish to join in this special occasion.

Young Burmese nuns recite the suttas at Shwedagon Pagoda

Burma Day 6: A Day in Mandalay

As foreign yogis meditate at Maha Muni Pagoda, a monk silently records them with his video camera

For Day 5, see here! Kory Goldberg continues his Burma pilgrimage journal for the full day experience in Mandalay, writing about the Pariyatti yatra. You can also consider joining a later pilgrimage in Burma yourself.

"Group yoga on a rooftop as the sun rises is a wonderful way to begin a day. Our morning meditation at the sacred Maha Myat Muni Pagoda was a real blessing. The living Buddha, or the Buddha surrounded by life, inspires millions of pilgrims to lead a life dedicated and devoted to Dhamma. As always, the local Burmese were delighted to see our group engaging with their culture in a meaningful way. Our time at the pagoda was an engagement both sacred and profane as we practiced mindfulness while sitting, standing, listening to the Venerable Snowadaw explain the site and answer our questions, and shopping for gongs. We came across a pre-ordination ceremony with young children dressed as royal princes. The ages of the children varied, some around twelve or thirteen, others around three or four, forcing some of us to question the intelligence and motivation for ordaining a child still not weened from mother's milk. The land of infinite wisdom doesn't exist in isolation from ignorance and greed.

So happy were the Burmese to see the yatra group that they politely requested a photo with this Swedish pilgrim and German nun

A German dasa sila (Buddhist nun) joined our group for the day, inspiring many, especially those in our group who flirt with the idea of living a monastic life. For those seriously donning the noble robe, practice is continuous and holistic. once again energies shifted as our next stops, although brief, were visits to factories and emporiums. while interesting to see the country's finest handicrafts, the visits were a bit of an energy drain and a distraction from the meditative attitude that we are/were in the process of cultivating.

At a handicrafts store of traditional Burmese wares

Ma Khaing, a long-time friend to many Western Vipassana yogis the last dozen years or so, displayed typical Burmese hospitality by cooking us a sumptuous homecooked pure vegetarian meal. the food was infused with love and the group unanimously agreed that it was the best meal so far, although we seem to hear these superlatives on a daily basis. at the end of the meal a few of us expressed our gratitude and appreciation for Ma Khaing's generosity, and one of us offered her a maple leaf shaped bottle of Canadian maple syrup. She was delighted, less so for receiving a nice gift and a series of compliments and more so from the joy that arises from giving yourself over to others. A common Burmese spirit unsurpassed by any other culture in the world.

Four foreign pilgrims take time out for a photo outside of Dhamma Mandapa

Bamaw Monastery, which allowed the U Goenka organization to establish a center on its monastic compound, the first in the Mandalay region. The architecture of this old monastery is only found in Upper Burma, and one of the few teakwood buildings to survive the bombings and fires of World War II

After lunch we briefly walked off our lunch at the Bamaw Monastery, whose rustic building is constructed from teak and carved with elaborate floral patterns and Buddhist imagery. The generous Bamaw Sayadaw allowed Goenkaji's Mandalay students to construct a centre on his land. Even though the Sayadaw's tradition has no connection to Goenkaji's lineage, the selfless monk shared his property simply out of appreciation for Goenkaji's ability to teach people from all walks of life. meditating at Dhamma Mandapa and again next door at the Mahabodhi Vipassana Yogi Meditation Centre founded by Saya Theingyi (a student of Saya Thetgyi) wad restful and nourishing, allowing many to reorient themselves in Burma's extensive and complicated Buddhist matrix. ven. Karunika Bivantha, the Sayadaw now in charge of the Mahabodhi centre, is not only a master meditator but a great scholar who has authored several books on the Abhidhamma. Like many of the Sayadaws we have met so far, this wiry and radiant scholar-monk emphasized the importance of paying attention to the four elements as an object of meditation. However, unlike the the others, he connected this contemplation to the awareness of the arising and passing away of vedana, demonstrating a profound and intimate personal experience of the meditative life, as well his relationship to Ledi Sayadaw and Saya Thetgyi. (For a short excerpt of the Sayadaw's talk on the Four Elements, see here)

The Sayadaw at Maha Bodhi Monastery smiles during a Question and Answer with foreign yogis

A Russian pilgrim stands in reverence before the Maha Bodhi temple at the center established by Saya Thet Gyi's student, Saya Thein

While the day was certainly filled with great moments, I also felt that the wounds from the inner battles were also revealing themselves for a number of people in the group. Most of us were tired and wanted to go back to the hotel. However there was one last stop of the day (actually many but it was getting dark and we needed to cancel a few stops on the itinerary). The Shwegyin Monastery is renowned for its monks who strictly adhere to the vinaya. As the monks chanted their evening prayers in their magnificent teak temple, we sat outside on the large veranda. After some time, One of the elder monks approached Snow, wondering who this curious bunch of foreigners were. Finding out that we were students of Goenkaji, he ushered us into another building where there sat one of the most illuminated old monks any of us had ever seen before. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that this old bhikkhu exuding love and light was a senior teacher under Goenkaji. Dr. Khin Maung Aye, the 82-year old bhikkhu, was a living example of what we all strove to be in one way or another. Not necessarily a monk in robes (although he did suggest that we all give it a try sometime, even for just a few days, since the spiritual benefits of doing so are immeasurable), but a stress-less, caring, bundle of joy. the constant giggles of this Dalai Lama/yoda-like figure was concrete proof of what this path can do and provided us all a brief moment that will be cherished for the rest of our lives."

For Day 7, go here!

Dr. Khin Maung Aye, a senior AT in the Goenka tradition, spoke to the pilgrims during a visit to Shwe Kyin Monastery 

U Thuttivara, seated to the left and the presiding Sayadaw at Shwe Kyin Monastery, provided an inspiring end to an already full dhammic day

Pilgrims are all smiles when listening to the deep wisdom of these two great monks at Shwe Kyin Monastery

Ko Kyaw Ngwe Soe

Ko Kyaw Ngwe (pronounced "John Wayne"... well, almost) has been a dhamma friend and guide for so many of us that have come to the Golden Land. Currently he is having some serious health problems. If you are a friend of Kyaw Ngwe and Ma Khaing, and wish to know more about his health status, please send an email to burmadhamma@gmail for more information.

Kyaw Ngwe driving his van in Upper Burma