Visiting a peaceful meditation center in Northern Shan State, Myanmar
Dear Friends,
Yesterday, my family and I visited a peaceful meditation center near Lashio, a town in Northern Shan State, Myanmar. The center is about 20 minutes drive from Lashio downtown area. The meditation center was built on a hill incline with housing residence for Yogis ('Yogi' means a person who practice meditation and it also means a warrior fighting against the inner mind defilement) located on the concrete circular route going round the precinct. The name of the meditation center was 'Nant Maw Phar' monastery.
When I entered the compound of the meditation center, I was approached by a worker at the entrance and let me read the rules to follow when visiting in the compound. One of the rules I can remember included to keep silent when going near meditation center not to disturb the Yogis because sound is the enemy to those who practise meditation. I found one monk at the donation center and currently there is only one Yogi at the meditation center. Anyone can join the mediation center for free and she/he can stay and practise mediation there for at least ten days and at most three months. We donated some at the donation center before we visited around the compound.
(Photo above) Me Climbing the hill slope. The concrete route is clean with dust bins at the side of the road.
(Photos above) A Buddha image at the top of the hill in a concave making the scene peaceful.
(Photo above) A pagoda on the hill side with a cave below
(Photo above) Four lions statue, with their mouths roaring, which means spreading the Four Noble Truths to the lands around
(Photo above) Four lions statue and the monastery as can be seen from above
(Photo above) A residence for Yogi
(Photo above) A neat circular place, I don't know what it is for but maybe it could be used for mediation place.
(Photo above) Another residence for Yogi
(Photo above) A place where I can see downhills and distant view
(Photo above) A Buddha image with an alms bowl
(Photo above) The downhill return route
(Photo above) Another housing for Yogi at the top of the hill at the side of the route
(Photo above) Having fun taking photos in front of the toilet place
Nant Maw Phar meditation center is a quiet and peaceful place, where one can join for meditation for peace of mind. Anyone can join it for FOC but, it accepts only three Yogis at the moment. The google map location of the monastery is as below.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MeuFQyzk3nRPnyss7
Thank you for reading my post.
20th Oct 2022
Myanmar