Information For Yogis
            Panditãrãma Shwe-taung-gon Sasana Yeik-tha is a meditation and study monastery.  Established in October 1990 by Venerable Ovadacariya Sayadaw U Pandita-bhivamsa, this centre follows the great lineage of the late Venerable Mahasi  Sayadaw.
            The method of meditation taught here is observation of body, sensation , mind and general objects like seeing, hearing, smelling, etc. Rise and fall of the abdomen when sitting, and steps when walking are main objects to observe.

Some Basic Guide Lines
For Intensive Vipassana Meditation

1. There is only one task to be done by the meditators, i.e. to practice with: 
   respect and sincerity 
   diligence 
   heroic effort 
   perseverance
   patience 
   sustained, continuous, moment-to- moment mindfulness from the time of waking up in the morning to the time of falling asleep at night.

2. Meditators should do 14 hours of formal sitting and walking meditation per day.

3. Meditators should keep alone and observe silence. Socialising is not encouraged at all.  

4. Meditators must refrain from talking.

5. Meditators must keep reading and writing to an absolute minimum..

6. Lay meditators must carefully observe the eight precepts.  Smoking is not allowed.  Monks and nuns must strictly observe their respective monastic discipline.

7. Sleep should be limited to 4-6 hrs per 24 hours.

8. Meditators must strictly adhere to the meditation teacher’s instructions and should not practice according to other meditation methods.

9. Meditators must not get involved in any activities mot related to intensive meditation, (e.g. listening to the radio or tapes, taking massage, taking photographs, collecting books, performing acupuncture, receiving visitors, cooking food, learning Burmese, English, Pali.)

10. Meditators must restrain their senses. They should act like a blind, deaf and dumb person.

11. Meditators must  perform all activities in slow motion like a sick person.

12. There is no space for thinking, reflection, speculation, analyzing, or interpretations during intensive practice.

13. Generally meditation is for people with a normal and stable mind.  If a person is mentally not in shape to do intensive meditation practice, especially to conform to the strict discipline, then that person may not be admitted as a yogi.

Weekly Schedule

Daily Schedule

Items to bring

1. Clothing:  White shirts or blouses with sleeves, longyis(sarongs).  Women should bring dark brown longyis. [Longyis can be bought here in Myanmar].

2. Slippers, thongs or sandals.

3. Other personal items including medicines, vitamins and toiletries, if there are particular brands or specific items you require.

4. 10-20 passport-size photoes.

5. Cash or travellers checks is US dollars.

Items provided by the Centre
      The centre will provide meditators with food and lodging including a mosquito net, sheet, pillow and pillow case, blanket and a thermos bottle (flask). Costs are met through the generous donations of well-wishers.

Medical attention
 
      Most yogis manage to remain in good health during their stay, but for minor ailment such as upset stomachs, colds, coughs, etc., a trained and experienced nurse is normally in residence at Panditãrãma, and a doctor is in attendance for two hours every day at the centre’s clinic. 
      It is extremely rare that more severe illnesses occur. There are also a number of clinics not far from the Centre where specialist diagnosis and treatment are available at reasonable rates.  

Application Procedures
Yogis interested in practicing at Panditãrãma are advised to follow the following procedure:  

• Obtain an application form from Panditãrãma.

• Fill up and send it back to Panditãrãma.  On acceptance, the yogi will be sent a sponsorship letter.

• Obtain a meditation visa application from your local Embassy of Myanmar complete the form and submit to the embassy.

Note:
     If you intend to practice at Panditãrãma but enter Myanmar on a tourist visa without obtaining a sponsorship letter from this centre, there is no guarantee you will be accepted as a yogi.

Arrival

      When you have decided that you would like to come to the centre, please contact the centre by letter, phone or fax to confirm your arrival plans.  The centre will provide you with transport from the airport.  Or you may take a taxi from the airport, which will cost you about $5.  The centre’s address in Myanmar script below may be helpful: