The Trash Problem in Myanmar

Last month, Kandawgyi Gardens in Pyin Oo Lwin held a very special event: the France Flower Festival. To showcase the beauty of nature in a garden that is known as one the country's best maintained natural wonders, it went all out in showing the splendor and diversity of its flowers and other fauna. Many Burmese came from all around to attend, and after it was over... well, there are some rock concerts that come away less trashed. Ko Zaw Min captured some of the disturbing scenes of the careless and wanton debasement of the garden. In a country that has literally banned and threatened artists who use the Buddha's image to send a sign of caution concerning the rising toxicity of air quality, and where its third most holy site (Golden Rock) was nearly shut down due to its lack of trash refuse system turning it into a large landfill, the local destruction and overall lack of care in preventing littering continues unabated. Despite the growing concern in the younger generation and increasing activism to create a sustainable environment that is pleasant for all to live in, the road ahead seems long and and hard.

Sutta Study with Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa

The following message concerns registration in the free sutta course led by one of Myanmar's premier monastic scholars.

----

2019 Feb - Sutta Course by Venerable Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa

Dear Dhamma friends,Hope this mail finds you very well and happy in the Dhamma.

This is Bhikkhu Rāhula and Caraṇapālī (Heidi) writing concerning Rector Sayadawgyi Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa’s coming English Dhamma Course in February 2019.

Below are some details of the course:

Topic: Pārāyana Vagga

Date: 7th- 20th Feb, 2019 (please arrive the latest on the 6th evening)

Location: Dhammavinaya center, Hlegu [near Yangon]

Language: English

Open to: International Dhamma students who are interested and have some basic Dhamma knowledge

If you are interested in joining the course please fill in and submit the following form.

Registration for limited spaces will be opened until end of January 2019 on a first-come first-serve basis, once the course if full, applications will be kept in waiting list.

After submission, if you need to edit or update any information on your form such as the date of arrival or departure, you can come back to this email and click edit response to update your information.

If you have any trouble filling in the form or if you need a visa sponsorship letter, please kindly contact us at:

i.dhamma.edu@gmail.com

Thank you very much for your attention.

Sending our best regards and looking forward to seeing you in the course.

Bhikkhu Rāhula & Anāgārika Caraṇapālī


See here for more details: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPN4T3a7dgWOIfFLDVLajdCXIqSk56N6r7ZZguwPtSlxtjXA/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link

Metta-Bhavana Retreat at Chan Myay Myaing

The following information is from Chan Myay Myaing monastery:

"The practice of loving-kindness (mettā bhāvana) aims at the cultivation of a loving, benevolent attitude towards all living beings. Since the time of the Buddha, this form of meditation has been used as a practice in itself, and as a support for the development and deepening of insight.

In this special retreat for foreign meditators, yogis will have the unique opportunity to learn the practice of mettā meditation from both a Burmese meditation master and Western teachers. Sayadaw U Indaka (who is renowned in Burma for his skill in teaching this practice) will be joined by Venerable Virañani and Ariya Baumann; together they will offer in-depth mettā instructions and teachings.

The venue for this retreat is the Chanmyay Myaing Forest Meditation Centre not far from Pyin Oo Lwin in Upper Burma; this centre is out of the city, offering natural surroundings that are especially suitable for the practice of mettā meditation.

The retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. Yogis may register for the first or second two weeks; a limited number of places are also available for those who wish to sit for one month. Registration opens on 1 May 2017, and closes 1 December, 2017.

As is traditionally the case in Burma, the teachings are offered on a dāna basis: donations will be gratefully accepted for the support of the monastery and teachers. A registration fee of 160 US Dollars or 150 Euros guarantees your place in the retreat. Registration fees are non-refundable and are used for retreat expenses and as an offering to the many Burmese helpers who voluntarily support the retreat.

Sayadaw U Indaka (Chanmyay Myaing Sayadaw) studied at the famous Mahagandhayon Monastery in Mandalay and later practiced meditation under Sayadaw U Janaka. In 1999 he founded the Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre (CMMC), where he now guides both foreign and Burmese meditators.

Venerable Virañani ordained with Sayadaw U Pandita in 2003, and has been based at the Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre since 2006. She teaches mettā and vipassanā meditation in Burma and the West.

Ariya Baumann was a Buddhist nun for 21 years, ordained in Burma by Sayadaw U Janaka. For many years she had been guiding foreign meditators at the Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre. She now lives in Switzerland and teaches mettā and vipassanā retreats worldwide."

Former Myanmar President U Thein Sein now Buddhist Monk in Pyin Oo Lwin

The Irrawaddy magazine reports that former Myanmar President U Thein Sein has revealed he is now a Buddhist monk at Dhamma Dipati, a part of the Dhamma Sahaya Sasana Center of Institute of Dhamma Education (IDE), run by the highly esteemed Dr. Nandamala (also known as Pa Chote Sayadaw, or “Professor Sayadaw”).  The article reports that Sitagu Sayadaw highly encouraged U Thein Sein, while still President, to take robes at his first opportunity. Apparently, the former head of state has done just that, leaving aside his lay clothes and worldly responsibilities just days after turning over the reigns of government to the democratically elected NLD party.

Dr. Nandamala also has centers in Sagaing and Yangon. His English in excellent, and his method of teaching very accessible to meditators, as he designs his teaching based on the level of the student and his/her needs. There are many kutis for students who come to learn pariyatti from him. Abhidhamma courses are offered regularly to foreigners, and more information is posted on Dr. Nandamala’s website. There is a beautiful Dhamma Hall on site, and accommodations are two per room when filled. It is not a meditation center, and is primarily open when lectures or study courses are offered. The center teaches a variety of courses, such as the Visuddhimagga, and the Maggāmagga-ñāṇadassana-visuddhi (Purification by knowledge and vision of what is Path and Not Path), and Kankhavitarani-visuddhi.

Lithuanian nun Sayalay Piyadassii stayed at the center for some time, and comments on her experience studying Abhidhamma here:

“After staying in Myanmar for more then a year it was inevitable that the mind became curious about Abhidhamma teachings. Slowly, slowly, reading a little bit here, a little bit there, listening Dhamma talks from one teacher and then another, some knowledge started to arise. And the mind became more and more fascinated with the topic. Especially when the information that slowly was being gathered started to make more and more sense, and even more than that, it brought a lot of clarity and understanding into the actual practice of the Dhamma. But it was not until the day when I had a fortune to join Ven. Sayadaw's course on the most deep and profound Abhiddhama book, Patthana, did the mind ever tried to understand that last, but most fascinating topic of relationships between different ultimate realities. While I was studying on my own this field always seemed so high, that I literary never thought I'd be ever able to comprehend even the 'ABC' of it. But believe it or not, after just two weeks of attending the classes which Sayadaw gave, I could say, 'Actually, it is not that difficult! At least the basics, we can understand!'…And it so rewarding!

But, I would like to give one warning to anyone who is considering to plunge into this most interesting field of Buddhist philosophy: if you learn Abhidhamma, the field of your Dhamma studies will narrow down a lot. And it is very much likely that the teachings that are not touching the roots, not touching the ultimate realities, will appear shallow. Mind will find it difficult to find satisfaction in such shallow teachings. And that will direct the mind towards the practices which actually deal with the Dhamma on a level of ultimate realities. The choice of where to go to practice in such case narrows down significantly, but there are places, and the experience of this deep and profound teachings is nothing that the words could possibly describe. Try it if you dare!”

Chan Myay Myaing: 2017 Mettā Course Flyer Available now!

The highly popular mettā course will be held again at Chan Myay Myaing's Pyin Oo Lwin monastery in Winter 2017. The flyer for this special course has just been released, although applications will not be accepted until May 2016. To download the flyer, go here. 

Metta Retreat Photo Albums

Sayadaw U Indaka, Daw Ariya, and Daw Viranani completed their annual mettā-bhavana retreat in Chan Myay Myaing Monastery in Pyin Oo Lwin, and have shared the inspiring photos and commentary about the course here. Although the course typically fills ups within days after it is offered, interested yogis may apply for the one to be held in one year's time in the cool hilly region of Myanmar.  

Aung San Suu Kyi: A Treasure Among Treasures

"A treasure among treasures is she who served as faithful wife,

Who built within her house a home secure and free from strife,

But treasured more is she for her unwavering devotion to the Golden Land,

Outshining even the gilded stupas with her simple elegance and open hand.

She, whose dedication to the common good is tribute to her father's name,

Whose humanity and strength of character are unalloyed by politics or worldly gain.

Oh youth of Myanmar, the jewel within your midst you seek afar

And thereby miss the glorious light of Burma's eastern star,

For true heroism is born within the heart and cannot be bought or planned.

For proof or this, you need seek no further than the lady of your land."

Bhikkhu Moneyya
Pa-Auk Tawya Buddhist University
Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
September 2013

ThaBarWa Meditation Course in Pyin Oo Lwin

The following information has been shared by ThaBarWa Monastery, who has requested Burma-Dhamma to share:

"We have a new course happening soon at ThaBarWa Center:

Title: Universal Truth and Personal Truth
Including Basic Buddhism , meditation, discussion

By Sayalay Cala (ITBMU)
12-22 March 2016

Please contact :
dawkhema@gmail.com, 09 250047330, for inscription

This is the 2nd ThaBarWa center, established in 2012. Full time retreat. Few yogis are residing there as well as few monks. (During raining season we have a lot of monks). It's quite extended in a very beautiful place. Foreigners can also stay there but outside the monthly 7-days retreat there is no one speaking english. It's easy to reach from Pyin Oo Lwin...
It is highly encouraged to spend time first to learn about our teacher and understand ThaBarWa aim before going to Pyin Oo Lwin center.

The course with Sayalay Cala is happening at our Thanlyin branch. The Pyin Oo Lwin retreat is monthly, every first week-with Usin Yevada Nanda

"Experiential Learning in Buddhism and Truth"

Tharbawa Monastery requested to share the following announcement:

Date: 8 days retreat in 2016 [feb 7 to 16] 

Experiential Learning in Buddhism and TruthMeditation type: Insight meditation and loving kindness meditation
By Sayalay Cala (ITBMU)

Every 7 first days of the month 7 days meditation retreat at ThaBarWa Shwe Chaung (Pyin Oo Lwin)

Everyday in ThaBarwa Center, meditation class, Buddhism class & discussions. Possibility to do a self-retreat and limitless good deeds.

For all details refere to our website and can contact us through it.

Thank you for your collaboration,
Truly,

Khema Cari
ThaBarWa Dhamma Center
Thanlyin, Yangon
+95 9 250047330

www.thabarwa-nmc.blogspot.com
www.thabarwa.ratana.org
www.thabarwameditationcenter.wordpress.com

Chan Myay Mying Sayadaw: A Personal Taste of Metta

The following quote is from Sayadaw U Indaka of Chan Myay Maying in Metta: The Practice of Loving-Kindness As the Foundation for Insight Meditation Practice. As noted in a previous post, he will be teaching intensive metta retreats in Pyin Oo Lwin for those English-speaking meditators who are interested. 

One day Chanmyay Sayadaw said, “I have a natural affinity for metta meditation, and I enjoy it very much. When I practise metta meditation, my mind becomes happier and more peaceful with anodisa metta (non-specific metta) than with odisa metta (specific metta). However with anodisa metta, concentration does not become very powerful and strong. I always encourage the monks and volunteers at the monastery to practise metta meditation, and I also tell the yogis who come to practise meditation at Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre to develop metta. When I tell them to practise metta meditation, I ask them to do metta at the beginning of their vipassana meditation as part of the preliminary preparations. Or else, I advise them to develop metta during vipassana meditation when the mind becomes filled with anger or when the mind is very restless. Occasionally, I also tell them to practise Buddhanussati. Sometimes, I instruct yogis who are experienced in the practice of vipassana meditation to develop metta continuously for about one to one and a half months. Some yogis who have practised in this way have had a direct personal experience of the ‘taste’ of metta.

---

Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre
Shwe U Min Street
No.3 Highway, Laydaungkan
Mingaladon Township
Pale PO 11022
Yangon
Myanmar

The cool, refreshing charm of Buddhist Hsipaw

There is an old Bamar custom to bury a pot of oil in the center of a town, based on the belief that the town will last until the oil runs try. Such a pot was buried under Hsipaw (pronounced “Thi-baw”) in its early days. In the 1980s, a few curious residents unearthed the clay pot, and were happy to find sufficient oil still remaining. Perhaps, too, they were equally happy not to find any human skeletons in the pot, dispelling rumors that the oil had been a part of human sacrifices. Thus, for those meditators especially attracted to Hsipaw’s charm, it will come as a relief that the town will probably be sticking around a while yet! And getting there can be a romantic adventure in its own right: the train from Pyin Oo Lwin to Hsipaw and on to Lashio has been called one of the great railway journeys of the world.

Today, the historic small town of Hsipaw, originally called Ohn Baung (Ohn Baung was also the name of one of the great principalities of the Shan region, and a well-known lineage of great saophas ruled here), has many local cottage industries and workshops. For the foreign yogi, it also has a number of inviting places to practice. It is somewhat of a hot season escape, as it keeps slightly cooler than the rest of the country (though if one is really looking to escape the heat, Taunggyi, Pyin Oo Lwin, and Kalaw are even cooler).

Maha Aung Mye Bon Thar Pagoda in Pyin Oo Lwin

This Pagoda is located in the downtown area of Pyin Oo Lwin, just south of the main market, and near some of the town’s historic sites. It is therefore a favorite for local residents, and its spacious compound and numerous structures also provide a welcome refuge for any yogi passing through to make use of the site for practice. On the Mandalay-Lashio road, heading towards Lashio, it is on the right side just before the main intersection with Zeiygo Road.

According to Lonely Planet, never a particularly careful or sensitive arbiter of social customs, it also “insists on broadcasting Buddhist lectures through its loudspeakers just in case you weren’t already awake” in the mornings; although likely this was just the complaint of a travel writer who stayed up too late and didn’t take the time to understand the common Buddhist practice of reciting suttas at pagodas. 

A wiser discussion on the Burmese practice of disseminating Buddhist suttas comes from Paññobhāsa Bhikkhu, an American forest monk who has lived here for almost two decads. He writes:

"Anyone who has spent much time in Burma will be familiar with the Patthan pweh, or Paṭṭhāna festival—an event in which monks recite Paṭṭhāna, the last portion of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, over loudspeakers, in relay, sometimes around the clock for several days in succession. To a Westerner who appreciates peace and quiet they are little more than an affliction, but the Burmese love and esteem them. I have often considered that it would be more to the people's benefit to recite something they would actually understand, like a Burmese translation of the Dhammapada; as even most of the monks who chant Paṭṭhāna in Pali don't really understand it. It is considered to be 'unreadable' as a literary document, even to those who know Pali... The reason for these very loud chanting festivals is that, according to the commentarial tradition, the last book of the last section of the Canon (i.e., Paṭṭhāna), will be the first portion of the Tipitaka to disappear from this world, in accordance with the inexorable effects of impermanence. So by repeating these practically incomprehensible texts the monks are doing their best to keep Buddhism from disappearing from the earth. However—while Burmese monks revere and preserve Abhidhamma, the other two sections, Vinaya and the Suttas, are studied but not practiced all that much, allowing the disappearance to occur from first to last."

Dhamma Mahimār

This meditation center regularly runs 10-day retreats in the Sayagyi U Goenka meditation tradition. The name of the center translates to “The Excellence of Dhamma,” and was established in 2002. While there is no pagoda built here as yet, the small and friendly confines make for a very pleasant and peaceful course experience, particularly if one happens to be in the country during hot season. The center can accommodate a maximum of one hundred yogis, although it is usually only at capacity during Water Festival. It is located on Shou Road, just off to the right as one heads out towards Mandalay.

Significantly, Pyin Oo Lwin played a special role in the biography of the center’s primary teacher, Sayagyi U Goenka. As a youth, he traveled here from his hometown in nearby Mandalay, and would always recall how “the enchanting mountains and plateaus in that region left a lasting memory.” Then later, as a meditation pupil of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, his teacher asked U Goenka to accompany him to Pyin Oo Lwin to assist in giving a retreat. This was the first time U Goenka would do so outside of the near-perfect conditions of IMC, and he realized that he “was being given a preview of what I should soon have to face and deal with”… that is, when U Goenka would start leading courses on his own across India.

Chan Myay Myaing Forest Monastery Metta Retreat in Winter 2016

Chan Myay Myaing Monastery will hold its second annual Metta Retreat, as detailed in this flyer. In their own words:

"The practice of loving-kindness (mettā bhāvana) aims at the cultivation of a loving, benevolent attitude towards all living beings. Since the time of the Buddha, this form of meditation has been used as a practice in itself, and as a support for the development and deepening of insight.

In this special retreat for foreign meditators, Western yogis will have the unique opportunity to learn the practice of mettā meditation under the guidance of both a Burmese meditation master and Western teachers. Sayadaw U Indaka (who is renowned in Burma for his skill in teaching this practice) will be joined by Venerable Virañani and Ariya Baumann; together they will offer in-depth instructions and teachings for this practice."

Two retreats will take place in Pyin Oo Lwin in 2016; one in January and one in February. Enrollment and registration are still possible for those wishing to develop in the practice of metta-bhavana.

Vipassana-Ñāṇa course in Pyin Oo Lwin

From November 9-22 2015, the renowned Burmse Sayadaw Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa will lead a course on Vipassana-Ñāṇa (Insight knowledge) starting from Diṭṭhi-visuddhi (Purification of View). This will take place at the Institute of Dhamma Education (IDE), Aung Chan Thar Village, Pwin Oo Lwin. The Sayadaw will teach Visuddhimagga in relation to Vipassana, starting with the chapter on ditthi-visuddhi and proceeding through the Vipassana-Ñāṇa. The course will be held in English, and maximum capacity is 40. There is no course fee. Accommodation and food are offered by the institute. The participants are encouraged to do donation to this institute or to offer food as they wish. If you are interested in this course and like to register for it, please email Aggacara2013@gmail.com or view the website aggacara.blogspot.com.

Photos of Sister Dipankara's Nunnery in Pyin Oo Lwin

For more on Sister Dipankara's center, Brahma Vihara, see here.

“Sister’s arrival reminds us of the arrival of Venerable Arahant Sanggamittha many centuries before. That incident paved the way for the release from this circle of ‘Samsara’ for the Sri Lanken women. Therefore, your arrival also will be like her great service for the present Sri Lanken women-kind… Many times in my life, I have seen some Buddhist nuns. You are different from them because you are very disciplined. And your solemn behavior not only touches my heart but also that of others, greatly. Also your meritorious smile shows your modesty. Actually you are a great daughter of Lord Buddha.” Letter from a Sri Lankan disciple of Sayalay Dipankara

Bathing and Laundry at Kun Lay Monastery

Kun Lay village, also known as Ei Chantha (or "Cool and Peaceful") Village, is about one hour by bad roads away from Pyin Oo Lwin. Nestled on higher ground and a former summer retreat for British colonials, it still enjoys cool weather today during Myanmar's hottest months. Life has changed little in the intervening centuries from traditional Burmese ways. This is also the area where Bhikkhu Agga spends Waso, and it has an even older history of dhutanga monks seeking full seclusion here in past centuries.

This video shows the way that washing and laundry take place in the village. As few homes have their own private areas, communal sites are shared among the village. There is one for men, and another for women, and all must be clothed when showering. The well is about 20 feet deep, and require some technical skill to be able to allow the bucket to twist when dropped and fill with water, and to hoist up without dropping any. The water is from a natural spring, and is quite cool and refreshing. Men typically bathe around the large cement tank, and a washing area is demarcated by a smoothed wooden platform. The old water tank can be seen to the left of the current one. The tank is surrounded on one side by deep forest and winding paths, and on the other by vegetable fields.

Kun Lay Monastery kitchen and beyond

Kun Lay Monastery sits about an hour outside Pyin Oo Lwin in northern Burma, and is a very traditional Buddhist monastery where the old ways may still be found. Currently Bhante Agga from Europe is staying here for Waso. This short clip shows the view of the monastery from the kitchen. It provides a nice overview of a traditional Burmese monastery for the foreign meditator who has never visited the Golden Land.

Brahma Vihara in Pyin Oo Lwin

This center is overseen by Sayalay Dipankara, who began her own meditation practice while at a very young age, before receiving any instructions from a teacher. She studied Abhidhamma and learned samatha and vipassana from Pa Auk Sayadaw, ordaining as a nun in 1990. She became a meditation teacher shortly thereafter, and according to her website, can teach “any of the 40 Kamatthana as mentioned in the Visuddhi Magga e.g. Anapanasati, Four Elements Meditation, Metta, Buddhanussati, Asubha, Marananussati and 8 Samapatti (1st Jhana to 8th Jhana), Kasina, etc and the Vipassana Meditation.” Some of her dhamma talks have also been recorded and are available online for download. She speaks very good English, and foreign yogis who have learned under her are especially inspired by her example. One German nun noted that the teacher herself would wake up at 4 am to help cook for the entire center!
 
Saylay Dipankara’s meditation center may be more well-known among foreign yogis from Asian countries than in the West. While many nuns and laypeople practice here, monks are not allowed due to vinaya rules (i.e., they are not permitted to study meditation under the instruction of a woman), despite many who have wanted to attend. She regularly travels as well, conducting meditation retreats throughout Asia and the West.

Today, there is an annual course open for foreigners that usually lasts between 4-8 weeks, and one can register online (although they usually fill up within just a few days of being announced). More courses for foreign students may be held in the future, so those interested are encouraged to periodically visit her updated website. The center has a beautiful Dhamma Hall, and private bungalows for yogis.

The grounds themselves are quite lush, with wildflowers stretching across vast green lawns interspersed with pine trees. All the buildings are quite modern, and constructed in a Western style, some looking as though they were brought over from Europe.

The Sagaing Hills: "A Fairyland of Pagodas"

A view of the magical Sagaing Hills, resting on the Ayeyarwaddy, across from Mandalay.

New Zealander yogis Bruce and Marion Forbes brought their two children to Myanmar in 2012. In the following passage, they share about their deep connection with the Sagaing Hills:

"We had heard about Sagaing from one of our meditator friends, Karen. She had described it as 'Fairyland' because of the numerous golden-spired pagodas in the hills. She had spent a very special time there, meditating in a cave. We knew that it was home to 6000 monks and was believed to be the place where Vipassana Meditation was kept alive over the centuries. My husband had also visited Sagaing 5 years earlier and had made friends with an trishaw driver, Maung Htay and a monk called Panna Sami, so we were all eager to visit. We spent a few days in Sagaing visiting friends, walking in the hills, taking in the sights, visiting monasteries and meeting the monks and nuns. After a few days, we visited Pyin Oo Lwin, a cool hill station which had been the summer capital of British Burma in a bygone era. Though picturesque, we found that we were missing Sagaing, so we returned for a few more days. Our days in Sagaing flowed so well. We had many wonderful experiences and our family felt so welcome, especially at the monasteries. Staying in Sagaing was the highlight of our trip in both Myanmar and India."

Two novices sit at the base of a stupa in the Sagaing Hills