Dhamma Mahimar Vipassana Meditation Center

Dhamma Mahimar meditation centre regularly runs 10-day retreats in the Sayagyi U Goenka meditation tradition. The name of the centre translates to “The Excellence of Dhamma,” and was established in 2002. This centre does not have a pagoda yet, the small and friendly confines make for a very pleasant and peaceful course experience, particularly during the summer. The centre can accommodate a maximum of 100 yogis. It is located on Shou Road, just off to the right as one heads out towards Mandalay.

Significantly, Pyin Oo Lwin played a special role in the biography of the center’s primary teacher, Sayagyi U Goenka. In this youth, he travelled to Mandalay from his nearby hometown, and he was fascinated by “the enchanting mountains and plateaus of the region.”

As a meditation pupil of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, his teacher asked U Goenka to accompany him to Pyin Oo Lwin to assist in giving a retreat. This was the first time U Goenka would do so outside of the near-perfect conditions of IMC, and he realized that he “was being given a preview of what I should soon have to face and deal with”… that is, when U Goenka would start leading courses on his own across India.

About Vipassana

Vipassana meditation has three practical aspects to develop. Firstly, throughout the 10 days you will follow Sīla, a code of conduct whereby you refrain from speech and actions that are harmful to yourself and others. Secondly, for the first three and a half days you will practise Anapana Meditation, the observation of the breath, to help calm down and concentrate the mind. And thirdly, from Day 4 onward, you will practise Vipassana, the meditation of mental purification by insight.

You will be given instructions regularly every day. As well, the teachers will meet with you in small groups to see that you are practising correctly. There will be other opportunities to meet with them on your own if you wish. Every evening you will hear a talk of about one hour on the practise by our late teacher, S.N. Goenka.

On Day 10 you will learn a new meditation of Mettā, loving-kindness, and then the rule of silence will end. You will then have time to talk to those with whom you have spent the last 9 nine days in silence.

At about 6:40 am on Day 11, after the final talk, the course is officially over. Breakfast is offered and students take the time to clean their rooms and help prepare the centre for the next group of students. Since the centre is maintained by volunteers, this helps you give at the end of the course is very much appreciated. Most of you will have left by 9:30 am.

This course of meditation is a very serious undertaking. If you feel you are really ready to take this course, to work diligently on the course and to follow the instructions carefully, you will gain a great gift of wisdom. If you maintain your practice of meditation it will be a jewel and a refuge to you for the rest of your life.