Name: Panditarama Forest Meditation Center
Item: Panditarama Forest Meditation Center
Rating: 1
Author: Unariya.

Panditarama Forest Meditation Center is located in Myanmar (Burma) about forty miles north of Yangon on over 100 acres of landscaped forest. Over the last ten years, the facilities and gardens have developed wonderfully. There are separate meditation halls for men and women and special rooms where the teachers interview yogis. There is also ample space for walking meditation.

This region of Burma has a special connection with Sayadaw U Pandita’s early spiritual training. He first studied as a young monk at the nearby Mahabodhi Forest Monastery. For many years, Sayadaw U Pandita thought of building a forest meditation center in this area, and due to generous donations from Sayadaw’s local and international devotees, Panditarama Forest Meditation Center has become a major practice center for both foreign and Burmese yogis.
Forest

The Panditarama Forest Meditation Center is a rustic, but wonderful place to practice. In December and January, the nights and early morning can be chilly with temperatures in the high 50s. Afternoon temperatures range from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. There is little or no rain. The stillness, clean air, freshwater springs, and fertile land create almost perfect conditions for a meditation center.

Each yogi will be provided with an individual room or a small cabin both with an adjoining bathroom. Each room has a bed, foam mattress, pillow, blanket, and mosquito net. A bucket for washing your own clothes will also be provided. The faucets in the rooms and cabins only have cold water.

Burmese food is served for breakfast and lunch. It typically consists of white rice with assorted vegetables, eggs, tofu, meats, and seasonal fruit.
Forest

The monastery also serves vegetarian dishes, but yogis should not count on fulfillment of other special food needs. Purified drinking water is available at all times and a thermos of hot water is provided daily.

Participants will be expected to abstain from eating after 12PM until sunrise of the following day. Juices without pulp are permitted after 12PM and are served in the late afternoon.

60-Day Meditation Retreat

From December 1st to January 31st, the Forest Center conducts the annual 60-Day Special Retreat which hosts over 100 meditators from around the world for a silent, intensive meditation retreat.

This is a unique event because Sayadaw U Pandita remains at the center for the entire retreat and gives daily Dhamma talks. These inspiring talks – based on Sayadaw U Pandita’s deep practical experience and understanding of the Theravada Buddhist canon – provide yogis with the practical and theoretical information they need for intensive Satipatthana Vipassana meditation practice.

Many of Sayadaw U Pandita’s chief disciples guide yogis and give Dhamma talks during this meditation retreat. Mahasi

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Unariya.

Overall Experience

I did 45 days , looking back I was trying to Spiritual Bypass events in my life. The schedule is strict and intense. On the last day I almost had a panic attack , trying to explain to my monk that my brother died when I was 13 and obviously I felt I had some intense emotional baggage which was linked to the “attack” that wasn’t being released. The monks words were exactly. “dont worry , be present”. Looking back the monk had a lack of understanding , empathy and I am even questioning his compassion. Wether or not it was cultural or language differences there was something not “right” about his response which leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. In the same interview the monk then proceeded to sign a book for me which he had written , in hindsight I even find this more perplexing. Being in such a vulnerable state because of the intensity of the schedule we need to trust the teacher but in my case I felt a complete lack of trust and understanding and I feel let down from monks who are supposed to be “wise”. I was there on my own accord and I have learnt a valuable lesson that we cant meditate ourselves out of our emotional pain. Spiritual bypass so to speak , so for me into therapy I go! I couldn’t recommend this place. With Metta.
5 years ago
Charles

Overall Experience

Unariya,
Don’t know how well you understand Buddhism but here’s Buddha’s Vaca (words or teachings):
“Don’t dwell in your past because you’ll suffer; don’t anticipate future because it will disappoint you; concentrate on the present or live in present wisely and earnestly. I think the monk was trying to say is not to think about your dead brother because it brings suffering or panic attack in your case; so let go your past. Meditation is well know to cure many mental illness or imbalances. Out of many paramis (perfection of virtues), compassion is one of the parami all the buddhists, especially monks, thrive to achieve. I think you misunderstood the monks and Buddhism.

Metta
Charles.
4 years ago

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