Fundraising for Sayadaw U Sasana and the GanGawMying Monastery

At 26 years old, Sayadaw took the Vinaya Pali At times the center is not able Paragu exam, passing this difficult test with the to provide fully-balanced meals highest score. The Pali Paragu is so rigorous that for its 65 students, and the monks there are years when no one passes this exam. are unable to finish their studies, The next year, he again did a 100-day retreat simply from lack of adequate with Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw and Ven. Sayadaw U nourishment. Protein deficiency Pandita. In those days, Sayadaw said, the teach- is the most serious aspect of their ing was extremely strict and often he was asked food shortage. to go with very little, or at times, no sleep at all. At 33 years old Sayadaw became an assistant TRAINING THE NEXT teacher of scriptures, and at the age of 45 years, GENERATION OF he became a full meditation teacher. Sayadaw U SAYADAWS Pandita has appointed him a Nayaka Sayadaw. Myanmar is a country that This means that he is fully qualified to teach holds a rare gem in its midst. In independently and set up his own monastery. this region, the direct lineage of This title is not easily given; a monk must show the Buddha’s teaching has been exceptional qualities and have over 20 continu- passed on from generation-to- ous vasas (20 years) as a fully ordained monk. generation for over 2500 years. Sayadaw is one of the senior teachers at the It is now our responsibility and Panditarama Forest Meditation Center's annual BUILDINGS & FACILITIES THE CENTER DESPERATELY honor to continue this lineage by supporting young monks who two month interna- A new dining hall and kitchen NEEDS FUNDS have the opportunity to be taught tional retreat. building also provides residence Study centers in Burma are not by one of the most qualified teach- THE CENTER quarters for monks on the second often visited by lay practitioners or used for retreats, and thus are The GanGawMying not as well funded as meditation Monastery is a small centers. They are, however, vital urban study (pariyatti) to the training of Buddhist monks center, about 15 min- and the continuity of traditional utes from downtown Buddhist teachings. Aside from Yangon. Located Alms round, the GanGawMying several blocks off the Monastery exists through the main road, it is access- generosity of its benefactors. ed through narrow winding dirt roads. This modest piece of SAYADAW U SASANA also known as the land (under one acre Zeyawadi Sayadaw, was born November 30, 1936 with one building already on it) was originally and third floors. The center’s origi- in Launglon, Myanmar, located about 300 miles donated in 1989 to Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita. ers in the world. As the Sayadaws nal two-story building is used as below Yangon, near the Thai border. He was the Sayadaw U Pandita spent one year there with of tomorrow, they are the future a study hall. The Sayadaw’s resi- youngest of 10 children. Sayadaw U Sasana also in residence. of this Buddhist tradition dence is in a third building with His parents had always wanted him to become In 1990, Sayadaw U Pandita left GanGawMying Many of us will be forever additional teaching space on the a monk and not be involved in worldly pursuits. Monastery in the capable hands of Sayadaw U grateful for being given the lower floor. He became a novice at 12 years old and said he Sasana to develop into a study center for young chance to practice meditation In 2002, a new building was immediately felt at home in that environment. monks and novices. At that time, Sayadaw U under true Buddhist masters. It designed to allow 10-15 additional In most meditation centers in When Sayadaw was 23 years old a friend Sasana was recovering from a severe illness and is well for us to remember that students an opportunity to practice Yangon, a large percentage of introduced him to the Mahasi style of meditation. only took in a few students. Today the center these present-day, highly skilled, meditation under Sayadaw’s meals are donated by supporters. His first retreat of 100 days was under the provides training for over 65 full-time students. and well-trained Sayadaws, were guidance. The completion of this At GanGawMying Monastery, guidance of the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw and once young monks themselves three-story building will proceed few meals are donated because of Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita. who relied on the support of the when enough funds are raised for the high cost of food in that region Dhamma Community. its construction. due to nearly 40% inflation. FUNDS REQUIRED TO RUN AND MAINTAIN THE CENTER Join us in Supporting a New The following costs will support on 65 Samaneras (young monks) and 3 Teachers

GENERAL DONATIONS IN BOOKS AND ESTIMATED ANNUAL Generation of Buddhist Masters ANY AMOUNT ARE DEEPLY SCHOOL SUPPLIES FUNDS REQUIRED TO APPRECIATED, OR CONSIDER These are essential tools for a RUN THE CENTER SENDING AN AMOUNT THAT young monk studying to pass the Food $24,480 WILL FUND ONE OF THE different level exams. Each student Textbooks & must be able to pass tests in order CATEGORIES BELOW. Supplies $ 7,500 to qualify to be a teacher someday. Health Care $ 900 FOOD Samaneras commonly study Misc. Supplies $ 500 Just $1.00 per day for each person eight hours a day for 5-10 years. Textbooks are used for 2-3 years. ($30 per month) provides break- Total - $33,380 per year fast, lunch and juice. This amount Basic textbook & materials costs also ensures an acceptable amount for a 3-year period - of protein. (Monks will still need to Per Student: $300 NEW CONSTRUCTION go on alms rounds to supply other Construction has already begun The GANGAWMYING staples.) Each year there are 2-3 monks on the last building the center who are studying for the higher Center’s Monthly Total: $2,040 needs (and has room for). The level Dhammacariya exams. Their MONASTERY, near Per Person: $30 finished building will be 32’x72’ books are much more expensive, and three stories high. It will HEALTH CARE and are kept for many years. function as a meditation hall Yangon, is devoted Since the center does not have Advanced textbooks for 1-year and residence building. funds for any extra costs, a Per Student: $300 Currently there is no place for student who has a serious health meditation training. The monks entirely to the prep- problem will need to return to his MISCELLANEOUS are usually sent to another center home for medical care. SUPPLIES such as Panditarama or the aration and training There are basic concerns that This includes two sets of robes Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha. inevitably must be attended to at each year, toiletries and other Total Building Cost: $100,000 the center. These include care for maintenance supplies for the of young monks. Under the guidance of minor illness, accidents or injuries. center. Center’s Monthly Total: $50 -75 Center’s Monthly Total:$40 the Venerable SAYADAW U SASANA, PLEASE COPY OR CLIP THIS FORM AND SEND WITH YOUR DONATION students undergo rigorous training and

General donations in any amount are deeply Mail Donations to: appreciated, or consider a donation that will fund practices to eventually become full- SADDHAMMA one of the categories below. FOUNDATION fledged Dhamma teachers. The ages of Name 5459 Shafter Ave. Oakland, CA 94618 Address Tel: 510-420-1039 young monks at the center range from City State Zip www.saddhamma.org Country [email protected] 12 to 23 years old, come from many Phone Email All funds will be given to Sayadaw U Sasana Amount of Donation $_ as soon as possible. A list of donors will also parts of Myanmar, and represent a accompany the donations. Please use my donation for the following category: Or you may visit The GanGawMying Center wide variety of ethnic groups. Food and Health Care $ and offer your donation directly to Sayadaw Books and Study Supplies $ himself. Building Fund $ (If you are traveling to Myanmar, and wish to visit the center, you may contact the Saddhamma General Fund $ Foundation at 510-420-1039 for more informa- tion and directions to the center.) ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. DONORS WILL RECEIVE A RECEIPT FROM SADDHAMMA FOUNDATION WITH OUR This brochure has been gratefully donated by Barbara Janus TAX ID NUMBER TO USE FOR THEIR INCOME TAX DEDUCTION. and Kenneth Morris of USA. / Photos by Jarek Michalski