Sayagyi U Goenka Pilgrimage: A Day in Kyaukse

On this day, pilgrims descended on the important town of Kyaukse, near the Mandalay airport and just south of the city of Mandalay. This is a place of vast importance in the biography of Webu Sayadaw. For many years, this monk's whereabout were totally and entirely unknown, and even present-day biographers have been unable to construct any narrative of where the great monk was for nearly a decade. Likely he was practicing intensive Vipassana meditation in wild forest regions, and had little to no contact with other people at this time. However, Kyaukse marks the site where Ashin Kumara, as he was then known at the time, resurfaced after so many years away. Suffering from chronic stomach problems, he had a dream in which a supernatural being directed him to a special well in Kyaukse that contained celestial water. "Drink some of this," the being promised, "and you shall suffer no more." U Kumara followed the advice, and true to his word, his stomach pains did indeed ease. 

As he recuperated, he found a cave just up a hill where he could meditate intensively, later followed by a black stone on which he would sit for many hours in the open air. Located on Webu Hill, U Kumara ultimately because known as "the Sayadaw on Webu Hill," or just "Webu Sayadaw" for short.

Eventually-- to speed the story up many years in the space of a sentence-- a vast monastery was built around the great monk, which is what a young government minister found in 1943 when he had a brief layover en route to Yangon. The Minister's name was U Ba Khin, and upon meeting Webu Sayadaw for the first time here and describing his meditation practice, he was instructed in no uncertain terms to begin teaching immediately! Just a few hours later, he taught his first student: a train worker at the Kyaukse station. Later, with Webu Sayadaw's blessing, U Ba Khin would open IMC, where a young Indian named S.N. Goenka would learn under him, and eventually spread this wonderful Burmese Dhamma around the world...

An Indian pilgrim takes photos of the very cave where Webu Sayadaw began his practice in Kyaukse

The very kuti where Webu Sayadaw was meditating when U Ba Khin came to the site as a young government minister

An Inspiring Memory

A European meditator who was on the 2014 Winter Pariyatti pilgrimage has recently shared how she remembers the more inspiring memories of this trip. She has made a collage of four important photos from this trip: starting from the upper left and going clockwise, one sees a Shinpyu (or novitiation) ceremony taking place at Shwedagon Pagoda, where a young boy takes on the monks' robes. Next is a photo from Ingyinbin showing Bhante Agga from the Netherlands along with the newly ordained Russell Quinn from New Zealand. Third shows the long line of brown-clad pilgrims making their way to Anauk Monastery in Pyaw Bwe Gyi, where Saya Thet Gyi taught during the last two years of his life. And finally is a wonderful, smiling photo of the Shwekyin Sayadaw and Dr. Khin Maung Aye, who delivered a Dhamma talk to the group.

For those wishing to make such memories of their own, a pilgrimage will take place on January 23, 2015, and spaces are still left... see Muditā Works for more information.

Exclusive Pilgrimage Opportunity to Myanmar in Early 2015 for Vipassana Meditators in the tradition of S.N. Goenka

Pilgrims at Bogyoke Market

Pilgrims meditate before Nga That Gyi Pagoda in Yangon as monks chat suttas

For all pilgrimage and meditator travel in Myanmar, please refer to Muditā Works

From Compassionate Travels Myanmar:

"Dear Vipassana Meditation Friends,

Compassionate Travels Myanmar (CTM) is pleased to announce an opportunity to participate in a 14-day pilgrimage throughout Myanmar to sites related to Vipassana Meditation in the tradition of S.N. Goenka. The pilgrimage will commence on January 23, 2015 and end on Febraury 5, 2015. Extended travel options are available after the 14 days tour.

The pilgrimage includes stops at the International Meditation Center (IMC) in Yangon, a visit to Saya Thet Gyi's farming village and meditation center, travel to Monywa where Ledi Sayadaw learned and taught meditation, and more.

Options for additional travel after the pilgrimage include places connected with Venerable Webu Sayadaw - the celebrated monk who inspired Sayagyi U Ba Khin to teach Vipassana Meditation - or other unique Myanmar sites such as Bagan, Mt. Popa, Inle Lake, Golden Rock, Sagaing Hills, and Shan State. Exact prices for those options are discussed on a per case basis.

The founders of CTM have independently been taking pilgrims to these sites and researching them for many years, and CTM as a company itself was founded in 2013. This is our second year of offering group pilgrimages and as Myanmar opens its doors to the world, it is much easier for meditators to experience the heart of this practice in ways that have never been possible before. We can also offer customized meditative travel and stays for any type of group at any time.

Pilgrims eating lunch

Pilgrims talking at Ma Khaing's restaurant in Mandalay

Pilgrims meditate in a shrine area at a restaurant before eating lunch in Upper Burma

A Truck in the Sagaing Hills

This video shows pilgrims in January 2014 on the way to a one day group sitting at Pa Bar Monastery in the Sagaing Hills, which was held during the Dhamma pilgrimage. 

To read an inspiring journal entry about these three week pilgrimages, see here. To attend one in the future, please see here.

A full day on a pilgrimage!

Day 15

This white board shows the schedule of Day 15 of a three week Burma pilgrimage. On this particular day, the meditators visited important nunneries in Sagaing, learning about inspiring women in contemporary Myanmar, and asking questions about Burmese nuns in society.

For those wishing to have a similar experience themselves, see Muditā Works.

Full Scholarship for Golden Dhamma Pilgrimage

During the 2013 pilgrimage, pilgrims met Burmese college students reciting suttas at Thanboddhay Monastery near Monywa

There are now extended pilgrimages for students in the tradition of S.N Goenka, as well as those interested in the wider aspects of the Burmese Dhamma. The two pilgrimages offered last year provided many foreign meditators with a precious opportunity to visit and experience some of the most sacred sites to be found in the Golden Land, many from within the lineage of S.N. Goenka. For more information, see Muditā Works.

Pilgrims were deeply moved by their experiences-- some spoke of how "the beauty of Burmese life is hard to qualify" while others declared firmly that "the benefits should not be overlooked." Still others were so profoundly touched that they themselves ordained and took on robes, such as one American at Shwe Kyin Monastery, and a New Zealander in Ingyinbin.

As one meditator read about these inspiring stories from a distance, he wished to give something so that others may continue to experience such transformative experiences and bring the tales of Burmese Dhamma to inspire their home meditative community. Although the costs are as low as possible to allow this opportunity to be open to all, the rising tourist costs in Myanmar as the country opens has meant that some may not be able to afford the price. With this in mind, while not being wealthy himself, the donor has expressed a wish to offer a full scholarship, a scholarship amounting to $1,650. The pilgrimage runs two weeks, from December 10-23, 2014. Please note that the scholarship is for pilgrimage tuition only, and it is expected that the pilgrim has the means to take care of his/her own travel, visa, and other logistical needs on their own.

There are just two conditions the donor has requested to include, and applicants should carefully read to ensure they meet the qualifications. For all those who apply, please copy and paste and following passage, and write one's full name to stand as one's signature.

"I acknowledge that I have never been on a Buddhist pilgrimage before in any country. I also understand that these funds are intended for someone who does not otherwise have the funds to join the pilgrimage."

To those interested pilgrims who meet the qualifications, you are invited to submit your name before 11:59PM (23:59) Myanmar Standard Time (MST) on September 30th, 2014. The randomly chosen applicant will be contacted immediately once the deadline closes to all applicants who have entered into the drawing, and once the drawing is completed. 

Pilgrims had the opportunity to engage in a translated Dhamma discussion with this forest monk in Hmawbi

Winter 2014 Pilgrimage Scholarship!

Meditators from around the world join a morning group sitting in Mandalay

 The two pilgrimages offered last year provided over 40 meditators from around the world with a precious opportunity to visit and experience some of the most sacred sites to be found in the Golden Land. The pilgrimages are led by guides who have spent the last several years intensively researching the history and context of these places, providing rich commentary and historical background that is not available elsewhere.

Although they have endeavored to keep the costs as low as possible to allow this opportunity to be open to all, the rising tourist costs in Myanmar as the country opens has meant that some may not be able to afford the price. With this in mind, one anonymous meditator has expressed his desire to provide a scholarship to cover the tuition of one pilgrim, so that he or she may be able to enjoy this unique opportunity. The donor requests that applicants only apply for the scholarship if their financial means legitimately do not allow them to attend by themselves. The donor is not singularly wealthy, but is making this remarkably generous donation out of his volition that others with less may avail themselves of such a life-changing opportunity.

Later this week, the full details of the scholarship will be made public, and at this time the agency invites any interested pilgrims who meet the qualifications to submit their name. If other meditators would similarly like to give dana for such a wholesome purpose, please send an email here.

*** Update: new information can be found on Muditā Works***

Four pilgrims pose at Ingyinbin, birthplace of Webu Sayadaw, prior to making merit by presenting offerings to the local Sangha

Pilgrims sit on the Western steps at Shwedagon Pagoda as a guide shows a marble tile that the family of Saya Thet Gyi donated in the early 20th century

Pilgrimage Options for Winter in Burma

View of the supreme Shwedagon Pagoda

***For updated information, please see Muditā Works***

The following message is from Compassionate Travels Myanmar who, with Pariyatti in 2014, organized two pilgrimages. CTM is now continuing its offering of pilgrimages for this coming winter. For those without the means to afford attending the pilgrimage on their own, some scholarships may also be available.

Please note that Burma Dhamma Blog is not commercial and the following views expressed are entirely from CTM. We share them here to help disseminate their news of pilgrimage options throughout the Golden Land so that more meditators around the world may learn about these precious opportunities.

"To all of our Dear Friends throughout the World,

Compassionate Travels Myanmar will be offering Group and Individual Pilgrimages & Tours within Myanmar for the 2014-2015 Winter Season. Our services assist anyone who has the aspiration of coming to Myanmar, wishing to connect with our deeply inspiring Dhammic society. 

Few tour agencies can offer what we can offer to coming pilgrims, tourists, meditators, and yogis -- as so many of you know. We believe our services lift one's experiences to special heights by bringing together meditative experiences in monastic compounds and meditation centers, by integrating historical anecdotes, humanitarian and volunteer opportunities, customized touring packages, and multi-lingual guide & translator services. All of our efforts are coupled with once-in-a-lifetime exchanges with Myanmar society, which we are confident elevates the experience to an auspicious level for each individual!

Last year's pilgrims served Sangha Dana to Burmese monks and nuns

For specific pilgrimage information, testimonials, and further communication with CTM, please visit our website at www.compassionatetravelsmyanmar.com. Thank you for your time and constant support!

With all of our Metta from Myanmar. Be Happy, Healthy and Peaceful!

Compassionate Travels Myanmar Team
No. 29,(A-5), 153 rd Street
Tamwe Township, Yangon, Myanmar
(Mobile Numbers): 09-3102-1496, (959) 40164 5521
(Fax): (951) 540205

General Information Email:
info@compassionatetravelsmyanmar.com

Reservation Inquiries:
compassionatetravel.burma@gmail.com"

Pilgrims meet and discuss with Burmese nuns at a monastery in Hmawbi

A Diary of Pilgrimages

Three young Burmese boys join a group siting at a pagoda with the pilgrims

42 days of pilgrimages have now been completed, and two groups of devoted yogis have now seen the best that Burma has to offer, with many lives transformed in the process. Some pilgrims ordained and are still in robes, with others coming in the next few weeks, months, or even years with a similar intention in mind. Others have grasped the dhamma in more profound ways than was possible in one's home country, and have returned to their local community to share their wealth of experience, understanding, and inspiration.

The following guide shows the diary entries recorded for the two yatras. The majority of the first diary entries were made by Kory Goldberg, a Canadian yogi and author of Along the Path. The majority of the second yartra entries were made by an anonymous American pilgrim.

While no yatras have as yet been confirmed for the following winter of 2015, there are upcoming opportunities for those interested to join part on such excursions in the near future. U Kumara at Sitagu Academy has indicated an interest in hosting Abhidhamma workshops in English for any interested foreigners in the Sagaing Hills in June, and brief ten-day dhamma trips will be organized both before and after these courses for those wishing to attend. Finally, one may also contact Muditā Works  (the agency which arranged for the entire following two pilgrimages) at any time to arrange such a dhamma trip according to the wishes of one's group.

The ruins of Htut Kaung Monastery in the Sagaing Hills. This was one of the world's first meditation-oriented monastery 

Pilgrimage #1
Day 1: Yangon
Day 2: Pyaw Bwe Gyi
Day 3: Yangon and Hmawbi
Day 4: Hmawbi
Day 5: The Road to Mandalay
Day 6: Mandalay
Day 7: Kyaukse and Mandalay
Day 8: Mandalay and Monywa
Day 9: Monywa
Day 10: Monywa, Sain Pyin Gyi, and Ingyinbin
Day 11: Ingyinbin
Day 12: Ingyinbin
Day 13: Ingyinbin
Day 14: Ingyinbin, Shwebo, and Sagaing Hills
Day 15 and 16: Sagaing Hills
Day 17: Mingun
Day 18: Sagaing Hills and Yangon
Day 19: Yangon
Day 20: Yangon

A typical rural Burmese scene

Pilgrimage #2
Day 1: Yangon
Day 2: Pyaw Bwe Gyi
Day 3: Yangon and Hmawbi
Day 4: Hmawbi
Day 5: The Road to Mandalay
Day 6: Mandalay
Day 7: Kyaukse and Mandalay
Day 8: Mandalay and Monywa
Day 9: Monywa
Day 10: Monywa, Sain Pyin Gyi, and Ingyinbin
Day 11: Ingyinbin
Day 12: Ingyinbin
Day 13: Ingyinbin, Shwebo, and Sagaing Hills
Day 14: Sagaing Hills Nunneries
Day 15: Within the Sagaing Hills
Day 16: Sagaing Hills One Day Sitting
Day 17: Mingun
Day 18: Sagaing Hills and Yangon
Day 19: Yangon
Day 20: Yangon

Pilgrims travel back from Mingun to Sagaing

...one may ask, what is so special to have to come across the world to Burma anyway, when the practice is basically inside already? Harold Fielding, a British administrator, provided an answer to this question in 1898 in "Soul of a People":

"To hear of the Buddha from living lips in this country, which is full of his influence, where the spire of his monastery marks every village, and where every man has at one time or another been his monk, is quite a different thing to reading of him in far countries, under other skies and swayed by other thoughts. To sit in the monastery garden in the dusk, in just such a tropic dusk as he taught in so many years ago, and hear the yellow-robed monk tell of that life, and repeat his teaching of love, and charity, and compassion—eternal love, perfect charity, endless compassion—until the stars come out in the purple sky, and the silver-voiced gongs ring for evening prayers, is a thing never to be forgotten. As you watch the starlight die and the far-off hills fade into the night, as the sounds about you still, and the calm silence of the summer night falls over the whole earth, you know and understand the teacher of the Great Peace as no words can tell you. A sympathy comes to you from the circle of believers, and you believe, too. An influence and an understanding breathes from the nature about you—the same nature that the teacher saw—from the whispering fig-trees and the scented champaks, and the dimly seen statues in the shadows of the shrines, that you can never gain elsewhere. And as the monks tell you the story of that great life, they bring it home to you with reflection and comment, with application to your everyday existence."

School children gather before a backdrop of rural stupas

Introducing Burmese Buddhist Opportunities in Thailand

The following article appeared in the November 2013 issue of Look East magazine in Thailand. It is on the subject of Buddhist meditation in Myanmar, and includes references to U Goenka, Shwe Oo Min Monastery, and Chan Myay Myaing Monastery, as well as the Burmese Buddhist travel agency Muditā Works. 

The article also provides a brief background on Buddhist practice in the country. You can download the entire issue here or here.

Thanboddhay Monastery, located between Mandalay and Monywa in Upper Burma