Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center

2.8 Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre, Hmawbi
by sister Ariya Nyani
Address: Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Centre
Shansu, Hmawbi, Myanmar
Tel: 0095-1-620321
Internet: www.chanmyay.org
Description: The forest meditation centre is about 1 hour by car north of Yangon,
outside the town of Hmawbi (road to Bagan). The grounds are spacious with many
large and shady trees and fragrant shrubs. It is surrounded by typical Burmese
quarters and villages. For quarters, there are kutis (bungalows with two rooms).
There are several meditation halls as well as special meditation benches with roofs
under the trees, so sitting and walking meditation can be practiced outdoors.
Spiritual guidance: Sayadaw U Janaka was born in 1928 and is still in good health.
He speaks English very well. He has been a meditation teacher since 1967. First in
the Mahasi Center and from 1977 in his own center. Since 1981 he goes abroad
twice yearly to teach meditation courses in various countries.
How to get there: From Chanmyay-Yeiktha city center there are numerous
opportunities to hitch a ride. A taxi from the city center is about US$ 10, from the
airport about US$ 7. From the city center (Sule pagoda) there are also public direct
busses. From the bus stop (Chanmyay Yeiktha Hmawbi) 10 minutes walk.
Meditation technique: Based on Mahasi Sayadaws method of Vipassana
meditation/insight meditation. Formal meditation is in turn sitting and walking;
durations are adjusted according to individual level. Primary object of meditation is
the rising and falling of the abdomen. Much value is placed on the development of a
continuous and uninterrupted mindfulness in all activities of daily life, that is, all
activities outside of formal meditation. Hence all movements during eating, dressing,
getting up etc. are done consciously slowly in order to be mindful at any given
moment.
Language(s): During the vassa (three months during monsoon) Sayadaw U Janaka
comes regularly to the forest center to conduct interviews with the foreigners. Apart
from that, the individual interviews are usually translated. Ariya Nani (a Swiss nun)
translates from Burmese into English, German, or French. She is also available to
meditators for instructions and individual interviews. Since she gives courses abroad,
please ask when she is in Hmawbi. Ven. Nyanaramsi (Malaysian monk) also
instructs and conducts individual interviews in English or Chinese.
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