Shwe Oo Min Meditation Center Yangon, Myanmar

A Short History of The Center

This modern meditation center built on over 6 acres of land, a vision of Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw, was constructed by the generous donations of many. The first hall was completed in February 1999 with many additional buildings being added through 2004. Far from traffic and people, in the shade of the forest rests this center, a place to live in the joy of the Dhamma.

Information and FAQ

Update as of Jan. 2010

General: This is a new era and so there is a fresh and positive energy at Shwe Oo Min. The centre is tidier with many new plants and some landscaping improvements. There has also been some redecorating of buildings and the office is clean and well organized. The staff is better motivated and looking after things.

Accommodation: Whenever possible, Western yogis are given their own room – men hardly ever need to share. The centre continues to provide blankets and pillows as well as mattresses and mosquito nets but there are not enough bed sheets to go round. Bring your own (best buy in Burma) and leave them on your departure!

Food: The food is better; both quality and variety have improved and we are back to buffet meals. There are meat and vegetarian meals every day. Breakfast and lunch always include some vegetarian protein – usually beans, sometimes eggs. On the vegetarian table, there is always rice and plain steamed vegetables. The main dish on the vegetarian table has a sauce which varies in its use of chillies and spices. Dessert often includes fresh fruit. The kitchen staff are accommodating special dietary needs (e.g: cooking eggs daily for a yogi who cannot eat garlic). U Tejaniya is taking a keen interest in maintaining and improving kitchen standards.

Juice: Yes, juice is back, offered again at 4 in the afternoon, just like in the good old days.

Water: Thanks to a very high quality filter, cold water is drinkable – even for sensitive yogis. Hot water is offered at both meals. The centre provides thermos flasks but you might need to buy your own during the busy season.

Dhamma Talks: U Tejaniya gives a daily talk / semi-guided meditation in the women’s hall at 9 every morning. It usually lasts for an hour and is partly in Burmese, partly in English. Several times a week there are English Dhamma talks played in the late Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw’s kuti.

Dhamma Discussions: U Tejaniya gives new yogis an introduction upon arrival. Yes, his English has improved and he now does it all on his own. Then you will have group discussions every 4 days or so.

Is the centre full? Yes, but not quite as full as once feared; there are currently around 150 yogis, half of them local.

Members of staff? 28

Meditation visa application: Plan your visit well in advance! All meditation visas need approval from the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Myanmar and they can take between 2 to 4 months to process. The only exception is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where it can take less than a week to get a meditation visa. If you are lucky you will get 3 or 4 months but in some places (Malaysia, India) you only get 28 days.

Can I get visa extensions at the centre? Yes, meditation visas can again be extended and the usual form filling and clean cash dollars are required – plus of course a stack of passport photos. (If you don’t have any, have them made in the village, the photographer will even come to the centre and later deliver them!)

Read this important information document if you are planning to visit the center.

Photos & Movie