About the centre
Dhamma Joti was opened in October 1993 with with Goenkaji and Mataji present
for the first three courses. Goenkaji expressed his happiness at being able to
repay the debt of gratitude to Myanmar for maintaining Dhamma in all its purity.
On the opening day, the elder monks of the State Monks' Organization called the
"State Sangha Mahanayaka Organization" were present and gave Ovada Katha
(blessing and advising talk) to the audience.
The centre is built on an area about 12 acres of land donated by Venerable
Bhaddanta Sobhita, chief monk of the Wingabar Yele Monastery. The 12 acres of
land has a pond covering about one third of it, bordering the centre on three
sides. A dreaming wooden bridge called Eka Maggo (the only way to Nibbanic
Peace) over the pond links a gatehouse to the office where all management work
is done for the centre.
Gatehouse
Eka Maggo bridge and office at the far end The attractive Dhamma hall seats about 150-200 students.
There are two double-storey dormitories, one for male and another for female
with common bathrooms and toilets. Now the centre has 19 double rooms with
attached bath for males and 20 single and 10 double rooms with attached bath for
females. A new kitchen and two new dining rooms can cater for over 400 students.
The Centre now has a Pagoda with 48 cells underneath.
Dhamma Joti is the very first of the five Vipassana centres in Myanmar, three of
which have been running 10-day Vipassana courses throughout the year, and the
fifth centre, Dhamma Mandala in Mandalay, has completed construction and now
holding regular 10-day courses.
Due to the special nature of Myanmar being the birth place of S. N. Goenka and
Sayagyi U Ba Khin, many foreign students and (teachers alike) have a desire to
participate on a course in one of the centres in Myanmar. For this reason,
places are always reserved for overseas students of Goenkaji to come and attend
the courses, and ATs to come and conduct the courses. Please contact the centre
if you wish to come to attend or serve on a course.
Myanmar is also the only country where dedicated courses are held for Bhikkus
and Samaneras, led by a Bhikku Teacher. We welcome Bhikkus from other countries
to participate on these courses, which normally occur around May and
November-December of each year.
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