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

General: There is a fresh and positive energy at Shwe Oo Min. The centre is tidy with many new plants and trees. There has also been some redecorating of buildings and the office is clean and well organized.

Accommodation: Whenever possible, Western yogis are given their own room. However, as more yogis come in the cooler season and rainy season, you may have to share rooms (doubles). 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! The centre asks yogis to return washed mattresses / mosquito nets upon leaving or leave funds for the office have them washed.

Food: The food is served in buffet-style 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). Sayadaw U Tejaniya is taking a keen interest in maintaining and improving kitchen standards.

Juice: Offered at 4pm usually.

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 based on availability but you might need to buy your own during the high season.

Dhamma Talks: Sayadaw 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. Then you will have group discussions every 5 days or so.

Members of staff? 28

How long can I stay at the centre? Foreign yogis may stay up to three months at the center. (This is a new rule as of mid-2011.)

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 months but in some places (Malaysia, India) you only get 28 days. IMPORTANT – Tourist or business visas can not be changed into meditation visas. All yogis coming to our center now need a meditation visa! This Meditation Visa requirement is a NEW and very STRICT rule of the Myanmar Immigration.

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