THE MOST VENERBLE MAHASI MAHATHERA

The late, most Venerable Bhaddanta Sobhana Mahathera, better known as Mahasi Sayadaw was born on 29th July 1904, to the peasant proprietors, U Kan Htaw and Daw Shwe Oak at Seikkhun Village, which is about seven miles to the west of the town of Shwebo, Upper Myanmar, once the capital of the founder of the last Myanmar Konbong dynasty.

At the age of six, he began his studies at a monastic school in his village, and at the age of twelve he was ordained a novice (Samanera), receiving the name of Shin Sobhana, (which means auspiciousness).

On reaching the age of twenty he was ordained as a monk (Bhikkhu) on 26th November 1923. He passed all three grades of the Goverment Paliscriptural examinations (basic, intermediate and highest) in the following three successive years.In the fifth year he went to Mawlamyaing where he took up the work of teaching the Buddhistscriptures at Taungwainggalay Taik Kyaung monastery.

In the eighth year of his bhikkhuhood, he went to Thaton and practised intensive Insight Meditation under the guidance of the Most Venerable famous Bhaddanta Narada, Mingun Jetawun Sayadaw (Teacher). He made remarkable progress in various stages of Insight, to the full satisfaction of his meditation teacher.

In the year 1941, he passed the Pali Lecturership examination held by the Government and he was awarded the tittle of Sasanadhaja Siri Pavara Dhammacariya. During the period of second world war, he returned to his native Seikkhun and took residence at Mahasi Kyaung.

This was a welcome opportunity for him to devote himself wholeheartedly to his own practice of Satipatthana Vipassana Bhavana (Mindfulness Insight Meditation) and teaching it to a growing number of disciples. It was during this period in 1945, Sayadaw wrote his famous great work "Manual of Vipassana Meditation, a comprehensive and authoritative treatise expounding both the doctrinal and the practical aspects of the Satipatthana method of meditation. It was not long before the Mahasi Sayadaw's reputation as a skilled meditation teacher had spread throughout the region.

In 1949 the Prime Minister U Nu and Sir U Thwin, president of Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization, requested the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw to come and reside and give training in vipassanan meditation practice at Yangon Sasana Yeiktha. Mahasi Sayadaw accepted the request and came to Yangon on 6th November 1949. Without delay, on 4th December 1949 (Fullmoon day ot Nattaw month 1313 B.E.) Sayadaw introduced the first group of 25 meditators into the methodical practice of Vipassana meditation. Within a few year's time hunderds of meditation centres, under the guidance of Mahasi Sayadaw, sprang up all over Myanmar and aboard. In 1952 Mahasi Sayadaw was awarded the tittle of "Aggamaha-pandita" by the Goverment.

At the historic Buddhist Council held at Yangon for two years, culminating in the 2500 Buddhist era (1956) Mahasi Sayadaw had an important role as one of the final editors of canonical texts and acted as the Questioner at the assembly.

In the midst of all these tasks, he was also a prolific and scholarly writer. He authored more than 80 writings and translations, mostly in Myanmar with a few in the Pali language. One of the outstanding works being his Myanmar translation of the commentary to the Visuddhi Magga.

Yet even all of this did not exhaust the Sayadaw's remarkable capacity for work in the cause of the Buddha Dhamma. He made several missionary travels abroad, preaching and teaching Insight Meditation.

Inspite of all these manifold and strenuous activities he never neglected his own meditative life. Endowed with outstanding vigour of body and mind, profound erudition and keen intellect, he propagated the Master's Message all over the world and helped many thousands onto he Path of Enligthenment and deliverance.

At the age of 78 years, the Venerable Mahasi sayadaw succumbed to the inexorable law of impermanence which terminated, with tragic suddenness, his selfless and dedicated life on the 14th of August 1982. His personal feature and his life's work rank him among the great figures of contemporary Buddhism. He was profoundly revered by countless grateful disciples in Myanmar as well as abroad.

BUDDHA SASANA NUGGAHA ORGANIZATION MAHASI SASANA YEIKTHA

This organization was founded in 1947 with the object of propagating the Buddha Sasan (i.e. the Teachings of the Buddha) through scriptural learning and practice of Vipassana Insight Meditation.

Non-profit in character, it operates with the subscriptions from its members and voluntary donations (dana) from devout Buddhists all over the country and abroad.

Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha

The Mahasi Meditation Centre, now better known as Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha was opened two years after the establishment of the above organization with the most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw as the principal preceptor. It is located in Hermitage (now renamed Sasana Yeiktha Road) in Bahan Township of Yangon. There are over one hundred buildings for the meditation teachers and Yogis, both Bhikkhus and laity, men as well as women and they are provided with complete retreat facilities.

How to reach the Centre

The center is within easy reach, only twenty minutes drive by taxi from the Yangon International Airport, or ten minutes by car from the Tourist Centern downtown, Yangon. It is easy to find in the tourist guide maps. There also is a prominent signboard at the junction of Kaba-Aye Pagoda and Sasana Yeiktha Road to guide the visitors.

Admission and Visa

Meditators seeking admission should be ardent and willing to take full time meditation retreat lasting approximately six to twelve weeks which is considered appropriate. Those intending to practise short term retreat may come with a Tourist Visa which is obtainabel from any Myanmar Embassy. For those intending to practice long term retreat (more than 4 weeks) should request the Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization of Mahasi Meditation Centre in writing, furnishing curriculum vitae of the candidate. On receipt of the required information, the Organization will send a "Sponsorship Letter" which is needed to be attached with the visa application to the Myanmar Embassy or Consulate. Then only a Meditation Visa will be considered by the authorities. Extension of visa can be applied for, it needed. It should be noted that the period of stay so granted is meant for the practice of intensive meditation only.

Accommodation & Meals

There are separate accommodations for Bhikku (Monks), Nuns, Laymen and Lady meditators. Rooms are adequately furnished with beddings, washing, bathing and toilet facilities. Meditators should bring their daily use personal requirements such as toiletries, vitamin and mineral supplements and other medicines ect. Breakfast and lunch are served in Burmese style. Breakfast is at 5:30 am and lunch at 10:00 am. There is no evening meal, abstaining from food after 12 noon. But soft drinks, jaggery and Sa-tu-ma-du may be taken.

Medical care

A dispensary with a qualified doctor is open for one hour daily between 9-10 am. Minor ailments are treated on the spot and if specialist attention is needed the case are referred to a Jivita Dhana Sangha Hospital, Yangon. Yogi patients preferring private hospital treatment may do so at their own expense.Hepatitis A and B vaccine shots should have been taken before coming.Chemoprophylaxis against malaria, as prescribed should be taken.

Weather

Weather conditions in Yangon are good throughout the year. Rainy season starts in May through early October with average rainfall of 80-120 inches. The cold season begins in November lasting through February. Dry weather prevails from middle of October till the end of April. March to May are summer months. Occasionally maximum temperature may hit 103-104 degrees F.

Satipatthana Vipassana Meditation

Satipatthana Vipassana is insight meditation through mindfulness, practised with a view to positive realization of the truths of impermanence, suffering and the impersonal nature of all conditioned mental and physical phenomena, manifested in the practising yogi's own person.This way was taught by the Buddha to all who seek to grow spiritually and eventually attain enlightement. It should not be confused with "Samatha Bhavana" which aims at tranduility of mind and acquisition of certain psychic or occult powers.

Programme of meditation

There are no periodically scheduled or weekend courses. The Center is open all the year round, to aspirind Yogis who are prepared to undergo fulltime SatipatthananVipassana Meditation for six to twelve weeks. All lay Yogis are expected to observe the Eight Precepts during their practice. The observance of these moral Precepts is necessary for it is counductive to the development of Vipassana insight knowledge. The meditation teacher will give instructions at the time of induction. For new Yogis, the induction will start with the tape recorded instructions on Satipatthana Vipassana Meditation as laid down by the late Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw. The purpose of meditation, practicing method, and benefits derived there from are elaborately explained.

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MAHASI MEDITATION CENTRE RULES FOR MEDITATORS

The following rules were prescribed by the Most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw for meditators so that they may not harm or distrub other meditators who are striving hard to meditate at the Centre.

1. Only those Meditators who can observe eight precepts and seriously devote to meditation are permitted to stay at the hostels in accordance with the prescribed rules.
2. Meditators must be prepared to vacate or change rooms when advised for special reasons.
3. Except for sick meditators, no one will be permitted to have meals in the rooms.
4. Meditators must not engage in cascual talk. They must keep noble silence.
5. During prescribed hours for meditation, special observance of the rules are more than required. Action will be taken against those who violate the rules and distrub the tranquillity of other meditators.
6. No visitors are allowed in the hostel rooms. To visit ot to have conversations with the other meditators are regarded as serious violation to the rules.
7. Care should be taken in the use of water, lighting toilets.
8. During the meditator's stay in the centre tha instructions given by the warden must be obeyed with respect.
9. All the meditators are required:
   1. To be in the meditation hall during the intensive meditation hours.
   2. To attend the interviews regularly and punctually.
   3. To report briefly, accurately and to the point and
   4. To attend the Dhamma Talks without fail.

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THE DAILY PRACTICE PROGRAMME

A Yogi's day starts at 3 am and continues until 11 pm with breaks for meals, bath etc. Almost the whole day is utilized in silent individual meditative practice althernating with group sittings in a hall. Sitting meditation is alternated with walking meditation. The meditation teacher will interview Yogis personally as scheduled. It is done at regular intervals with a view to enable the Yogis to report their experiences and receive necessary guidance from the meditation teacher for fruther progress. Moreover, Dhamma discourses are given weekly by senoir meditation teacher. Those discourses help enchance the confidence and aspiration of the Yogis in the Buddha Dhamma and Vipassana Meditation. In this way each and every yogis receives individual attention and guidance of the teacher. So they have the opportunity of gaining intuitive knowledge and experience of Satipatthana Vipassana Meditation through all stage of progressive Vipassana insight.

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Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Orgnization
Mahasi Meditation Centre, Yangon
Meditatin Time-table for all Foreigner Yogis

Form	To	Purpose
3 am	4 am	Wakening-up Freshening
4 am	5 am	Group Sitting
5 am	6 am	Walking mediation & breakfast
6 am	7 am	Group Sitting
7 am	8 am	1 pm
8 am	9 am	Group Sitting
9 am	11 am	Bath,lunch etc.
11 am	12 noon	Walking mediation
12 noon	1 pm	Group Sitting
1 pm	2 pm	Walking mediation
2 pm	3 pm	Group Sitting
3 pm	4 pm	Walking mediation
4 pm	5 pm	Group Sitting
5 pm	6 pm	Bath, Walking mediation
6 pm	7 pm	Group Sitting
7 pm	8 pm	Walking mediation
8 pm	9 pm	Sitting mediation
9 pm	10 pm	Walking mediation
10 pm	11 pm	Sitting mediation
11 pm	3 am	Sleeping time