Dhamma Society of America

Sitagu Buddhist Vihara

Contact Sitagu Buddhist Vihara The original Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda in Nyaung Oo, 9001 Honeycomb Dr Austin, TX 78737 The Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda (512) 301-3968 www.sitagu.org Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda, located in Nyaung

Oo, Myanmar, is one of the earliest monuments of the Bagan period. Its construction began in Dr. Ashin Nyanissara 1076 AD by King Anawrahta, the great propa- (Sitagu ), Founder gator of Theravada , and was com- 95-72-22066 pleted in 1102 by his son, King Kyansitthar. A tooth relic of was enshrined. Dr. Ashin Ariyadhamma, Abbot Shwe Zi Gon is 160 feet high and 160 feet wide (512) 750-9963 at the base. [email protected]

The Shwe Zi Gon Replica in Austin, TX, is a one-third-scaled replica of the original. It is Ashin Cintita Dinsmore, 56 feet wide and 65 feet high to the diamond American Liaison top. Whereas the original Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda [email protected] Sitagu Buddhist Vihara is a closed solid dome the replica maintains the and the original exterior look but it has a hollow dome Dr. Win Bo, TDSA secretary so that pilgrims can take in the tranquil- (512) 653-4506 ity of its interior. Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda

[email protected] Inside the Austin pagoda are twenty four 2' statues of Buddha each handcrafted on site as a Wah Wah, TDSA Treasurer replica representing a country and era in which (512) 663-9085 Buddhism has taken root and flourished in Asia. [email protected] Austin, Texas Additionally a 5' white marble statue is flanked by four lacquer statues, all from Myanmar. Im- United States of America mersed in historic traditional art and architec- Mar Lar, TDSA Treasurer ture, Austin Shwe Zi Gon is not only a reli- (512) 484-1202 gious monument but also a museum of Bud- [email protected] dhist Art. About the Vihara

Sitagu Buddhist Vihara was estab- lished in 1996 by the Venerable Ashin Nyanissara, Sitagu Sayadaw, of Myanmar (Burma) to provide a center for the practice of Theravada and Dhamma study in the United States of America in a traditional monastery context.

The Theravada Dhamma Society of America (TDSA) was established in 1994 to provide both financial and volunteer support to the efforts of the Vihara and to provide to the well- being of its resident monks.

The abbot of the Vihara is Venerable Ashin Dr. Ariyadhamma, a fully or- dained Buddhist monk, very learned in both Dhamma and meditation

W practice. He has resided at the Vi- hara since 2005 serving the Sasana. S N E

Vihara Facilities You are welcome to donate by The Vihara includes the following structures: contacting the Vihara directly or  The Replica Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda, online at our website, www.sitagu.org.  The Dhamma Hall,  The Dhamma Ceti Library,  Eight Sangha cottages, twenty-eight yogi and resident cottages, a twelve-unit Guest House, double occupancy possible for large retreats,  Large decks for outdoor community events,  Kitchen, bathhouse and house trailer.

When the construction project is completed, Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda and Sitagu Vihara will be the largest meditation center in Austin, Texas.