Pa Auk Updates

The Sayadaw has travelled far to enter into seclusion for the purpose of solo practice for the duration of 2nd Vassa, from full moon of August through full moon of November 2009.

During this period the Sayadaw will not be receiving students, disciples, or visitors. Please understand the intention here and hold off on any attempts at contacting him until after his retreat ends.

The Sayadaw will again give teachings and receive visitors in November. The details will be announced.

posted by Robert Cusick # 11:41 PM

Friday, June 26, 2009

New Visitor's Agreement letter

Published by the monastery in Mawlamyine early 2009. Visitors, please print out this letter and use when writing to the monastery about visiting.

posted by Brian # 7:49 PM

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Jhana Practice Group Audio

The jhana practice group being held by Stephen Snyder and Tina Rasmussen in San Rafael, California, have been recorded and the resulting .mp3 files will be posted here for download. Enjoy!

posted by Brian # 4:42 PM

Thursday, April 03, 2008

New Book: "The Workings of Kamma"

The Sayadaw's new book "The Workings of Kamma" is available for download here and from the main site page. 504 pages, PDF format file, 2.1Mb size. Enjoy!

posted by Brian # 8:28 PM

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Jhanas Practice group in Marin, CA

A jhanas practice group is being formed in Marin. Please see this link for more information.

posted by Brian # 12:06 PM

Thursday, November 15, 2007

New Book by Two American Practitioners

Jhanas Advice from Two Spiritual Friends by Stephen Snyder and Tina Rasmussen presents the ancient practices of the jhanas as experienced by two Western practitioners. The authors, taught personally by the Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, completed all eight jhanas and other meditation practices. Their book begins with the preliminary practices and then proceeds through each of the eight jhanas and accompanying practices, including tips and pointers for the reader.

Jhanas Advice from Two Spiritual Friends has been endorsed by the Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw who carefully reviewed the manuscript. The Sayadaw's suggestions have been incorporated into the book.

Please contact Stephen Snyder at

to be added to the mailing list for information on this forthcoming book or with any questions or comments.

posted by Brian # 5:51 PM

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

No bad news

From a contact in Singapore, this news is second-hand, but more specific than anything we've gotten from regular news outlets:

I have not heard of any adverse news on Pa-Auk nor Thanlwyin. I understand that Thanlwyin was not affected; residents at Pa-Auk have been strongly advised not to go out to Mawlamyine- apparently some disturbances occurred there.

I understand that the retreat at Maymyo conducted by Sayalay Dipankara has been cut short and most yogis have left Myanmar safely.

I am not sure we have seen the end of the misery and the uprising yet.

posted by Brian # 7:42 PM

Friday, October 05, 2007

Crisis in Burma, the Paucity of News

Unfortunately we have no more news about the situation in Burma than can be had from the major newspapers. The phone system and internet appear to be down and we've heard nothing from the monastery since the crisis erupted. We wait and pray...

posted by Brian # 10:38 PM

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Updated documents

Recently posted: Brief biography of the Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw, updates for Teaching & Training, Information and Rules for foreign meditators, Daily Schedule, and Resource Guide. Links to all of these may be found on the website home page.

posted by Brian # 12:13 AM

Sunday, April 15, 2007

A Little Good News on Visas

Recently we have learned that it is again possible to extend certain short term visas in Myanmar. Specifically, if you have one of the following visas:
1) EV Meditation Visa
2) Entry Visa
3) Gratis Visa
these may be changed to a regular meditation visa once inside Myanmar.
Please note that this does NOT apply to Tourist visas, which cannot be extended.
Also, one may obtain a regular meditation visa directly in Singapore by applying at the Myanmar embassy there, in person. This news was passed to us by our good friends in Yangon, Zaya & Mrs. Yip.

posted by Brian # 9:31 PM

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Update: Sister Dipankara's 2007 Retreat

Some of the details of the ten-day meditation retreat led by Sister Dipankara have changed, most notably the dates. See the new information:
Announcement
Application
Daily schedule

posted by Brian # 1:52 PM

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Meditation Visas

Update from Pa-Auk Forest Monastery

If you plan to stay at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery for more than one month, you will need to apply for a Myanmar three-month meditation visa, as a 28-day tourist visa and a 28-day entry visa can no longer be extended. Check with the Myanmar Embassy in your home country to see if they will issue a three-month meditation visa to you. If this is not possible, you may wish to check with another Myanmar Embassy - for example, the Embassy in Singapore - to see what type of visa they will issue to you. To apply for a meditation visa, you will need a Pa-Auk Sponsorship Letter, which can be obtained through a Pa-Auk Contact Person (see the Travel tips page or by writing to the monastery, attention: U Kundadhana or U Candima.

For the latest news on visa applications and extensions, please contact Daw Amy at

Contact information for the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore is listed below:
Singapore
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
15 St Martin's Drive, Singapore
Tel: (65) 67350209 o Fax: (65) 67356236
Open: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Monday - Friday

posted by Brian # 2:50 PM

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Sayalay (Sister) Dipankara Retreat scheduled for April 2007

Sayalay Dipankara is the foremost teaching nun from Pa Auk Monastery in Burma under the great meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw. Sayalay is a master of the 40 Kammathana, the 40 Meditation Subjects taught by the Buddha, and will instruct students on the practice of Mindfulness of Breathing (anapanasati) and Four Elements Meditation during this 10-day, 8-precept course.

The retreat will take place at Amitabha Village in Perry, Michigan, near Lansing. There will be accommodation for approximately 20 retreatants.

More: Information Application 8-precepts

posted by Brian # 9:13 PM

Sunday, January 14, 2007

May 2007 Retreat Cancelled

January 11, 2007

Dear Friends,

The 2007 retreat at Four Springs with U Jagara is now cancelled due to lack of deposits received from interested people.

I am really sorry this has been a protracted end to what began as a very promising retreat with Pa Auk Sayadaw. Following his withdrawal from the retreat to meditate in the Himalayas we attempted to continue the retreat with the Ven. U Jagara.

Unfortunately the deposits received to date do not justify continuing this effort. We truly appreciate U Jagara’s support.

Four Springs Meditation Center has been incredibly supportive and I am most sorry that this change in plans could affect their budget, which included a commitment to allow us to hold our retreat with Pa Auk Saydaw for 6 weeks there this Spring. I feel personally very sorry for any harm we have brought to this fine center and deeply apologize.

The few checks I have received to date will be destroyed responsibly.

Please check the paauk.org web site for any future announcements. Please also check the Forest Refuge web site for any announcement of a retreat with Sayadaw Pa Auk there in 2008. This has not been posted yet but will be in the months to come.

May you all be safe and healthy and happy. May we all work for peace within ourselves and this sweet world of ours. We are so fortunate to be drawn to the Dhamma.

With Metta,

Kim McLaughlin

posted by Brian # 10:56 PM

Friday, December 15, 2006

Spring 2007 Retreat changes

Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw will not be leading the retreat in 2007. Instead we shall have Ven. U Jagara, a senior student of the Pa Auk method, leading the retreat. The retreat dates have shifted somewhat, starting 27 Apr 2007 and ending 25 May.

For more information, see the official Retreat Announcement.

posted by Brian # 8:18 AM

Monday, June 26, 2006

2007 Retreat

Pa Auk Sayadaw will be giving a 6 week retreat in Northern California starting Tuesday 17 April 2007. For more information, see Retreat in 2007

posted by Brian # 4:30 PM

Friday, April 14, 2006

Last minute openings - Forest Refuge retreat

The Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw will be offering a retreat at the Forest
Refuge in Barre, Massachusetts, during May and June. There are still a few open
spots during the month of May.

If you are interested please contact the Forest Refuge office at
978-355-2063 ext. 10, or email fr@dharma.org

posted by Brian # 3:11 PM

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Trip Report from Monastery Visitors

The following advice and recommendations from a recent female visitor to the monastery in Mawlamyine
-----------------
DON'T stop at the tourist services booth at the Bangkok airport - they provided incorrect information about the embassy and local hotels.

The Myanmar embassy (in Bangkok) is open Monday thru Friday 9:00 to 11:30 and 1:00 to 3:00. If your plane arrives before noon, take a cab directly to the Satthorn Hotel ($8) register and walk to the embassy. You could get your visa the next day (saving $25). It's possible to get an entry visa in one day for $75 ( $50 for 24 hours). Tourist visas are $21 for 28 days, but can't be renewed or extended.

If you're planning on staying at Pa Auk as a lay person I recommend shopping for clothes from Bangkok street vendors - right for the climate and very inexpensive. If you're planning on ordaining, only bring clothes for traveling.

The train from Yangon to Mottama should be the last resort. The tracks are so bad, the train averages under 15 mph. It's like riding a 12 hour roller coaster. The insides of "first class" is filthy and the seats are very uncomfortable.

You will need a zafu and zabuton. I recommend inflateable if you can find them - much less bulky to pack. You can buy pillows here, or bring a favorite . Don't bother with an umbrella - they're big and cheap here.

You can actually buy quite a few things while at the monastery, so don't stress about forgetting stuff. Except earplugs, unless you like listening to roosters crow 16 hours a day.

posted by Brian # 11:20 AM

Monday, February 13, 2006