Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center

2.1 Panditarama Meditation Centre (Shwe Taung Gon Sasana Yeiktha)
by Dieter Baltruschat using a leaflet of Panditarama
Address: written registration recommended!
Panditarama Meditation Centre
80-A, Thanlwin Road, Shwe Gon Dine P.O.
Bahan 11201, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
Tel: 0095-1-535448, 0095-1-705525
Email: panditarama @mptmail.net.mm
Infos teachers and center: web.ukonline.co.uk/buddhism/pandita.htm
Description: The Panditarama is situated in a fairly quiet area in a Yangon suburb. It
was founded in 1990 by Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita, one of the most notable teachers
of the Mahasi tradition. The rather compact center has a stylish and fairly sizeable
meditation hall. There is an information office where very good books by Sayadaw U
Pandita can be bought at a good price. Mainly Burmese yogis practise there.
Westerners are usually recommended to go to the forest center of Hse Main Gon
which is about 1 to 2 hs by car and offers ideal conditions for practice. But for many,
the Panditarama is the first station because it is easily reached from Yangon center.
Spiritual guidance: Sayadaw U Pandita is over 80, teaches since 1951, is
considered one of the most notable teachers in the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition and
has longstanding experience with Western disciples. Teachers in the centre have an
excellent reputation!
How to get there: Taxi from the airport is about US$ 5, from Yangon center about
US$ 2.
Meditation technique: Observation of body, feelings, mind, and mind objects.
Primary object of meditation during sitting is rising and falling of the abdomen.
Several times per week there is an interview with the meditation teacher.
Language(s): During the interviews a translator is present, because most teachers
speak little English.
Duration of courses and dates: Since there are no group retreats, no dates need to
be observed.
Lodging: Clean sanitary rooms. Bed with fair mattress, sheets, blanket, pillow,
mosquito net and thermos are provided by the center.
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