Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center
Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center
Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center
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2.6 Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha <strong>Meditation</strong> Centre<br />
source: leaflet and <strong>in</strong>ternet<br />
Address: Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha <strong>Meditation</strong> Centre<br />
Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organisation<br />
No 16, Sasana Yeiktha Road, Bahan Township<br />
Yangon, 11201 Myanmar (Burma)<br />
Tel: 95 - 1 - 541971, 545918<br />
Fax 289960, 289961<br />
Internet: www.mahasi.org.mm<br />
Location: The center is at the Yangon city limits. It was founded <strong>in</strong> 1949 by Ven.<br />
Mahasi Sayadaw. Ma<strong>in</strong>ly Burmese yogis practise there. There is an <strong>in</strong>formation office<br />
where English books by Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw can be bought at a very good price.<br />
There are over 100 build<strong>in</strong>gs on the grounds for hous<strong>in</strong>g and retreat facilities.<br />
How to get there: Taxi from the airport (20 m<strong>in</strong>.) is about US$ 5, from Yangon<br />
center about US$ 2. The Centre is at the junction of Kaba-Aye Pagoda Road/Sasana<br />
Yeiktha Road.<br />
<strong>Meditation</strong> technique: Observation of body, feel<strong>in</strong>g, m<strong>in</strong>d, and m<strong>in</strong>d objects.<br />
Primary object of meditation dur<strong>in</strong>g sitt<strong>in</strong>g is ris<strong>in</strong>g and fall<strong>in</strong>g of the abdomen.<br />
Several times per week there is an <strong>in</strong>terwiev with the meditation teacher.<br />
Language(s): Dur<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>terviews, a translator is present, because most teachers<br />
speak little English.<br />
Duration of courses and dates: S<strong>in</strong>ce there are no group retreats, no dates need to<br />
be observed. Six to twelve weeks are recommended.<br />
Tradition: Theravada, <strong>in</strong>tensive Vipassana meditation accord<strong>in</strong>g to Mahasi Sayadaw<br />
Lodg<strong>in</strong>g: Monks, nuns, men and women are housed separately. Lodg<strong>in</strong>g is assigned<br />
on arrival. Rooms are either s<strong>in</strong>gle or double and are furnished with bed and<br />
bedd<strong>in</strong>g. Toilets and wash<strong>in</strong>g facilities are adequate. If possible, foreign meditators<br />
get a s<strong>in</strong>gle room.<br />
What to br<strong>in</strong>g: Insect repellant, water dis<strong>in</strong>fectant, and medications should be<br />
brought <strong>in</strong> sufficient quantities from home. A light sleep<strong>in</strong>g bag and a warm fleece<br />
jacket are particularly useful dur<strong>in</strong>g the w<strong>in</strong>ter months. Br<strong>in</strong>g your own pillow.<br />
Items of daily use such as toiletries, flashlight, batteries, flip-flops, and water bottle<br />
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