Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one’s own acts, done and undone.

SĪMĀ SETTING RECORD – IN DETAIL

Revoking any possible extant Sīmā

  1. On 6 to 9 May 2011, the Sangha carried out formal procedures to revoke any possible extant Sīmā that may invalidate the making of the proposed Sīmā.
  2. On 6 to 8 May morning 2011, the following thirteen bhikkhus carried out the formal procedures to revoke any possible extant Sīmā:
    • Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadaw U Āciṇṇa (Myanmar), Ven. Dhammasubho (Malaysia), Ven. Ukkaṁsa (Myanmar), Ven. Kunḍadhāna (Myanmar), Ven. Aggañña (Myanmar), Ven. Candimā (Myanmar), Ven. Ṭhitanyāno (Indonesia), Ven. Visuddhācāra (Taiwan), Ven. Revata (Myanmar), Ven. Manijota (Myanmar), Ven. Nanda (Australia), Ven. Nanukkamsa (Indonesia), Ven. Khemadhammika (Indonesia).
  3. On 8 May afternoon to 9 May 2011, the following nine bhikkhus proceeded to carry out the formal procedures to revoke any possible extant Sīmā:
    • Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadaw U Āciṇṇa (Myanmar), Ven. Dhammasubho (Malaysia), Ven. Ukkaṁsa (Myanmar), Ven. Kunḍadhāna (Myanmar), Ven. Aggañña (Myanmar), Ven. Candimā (Myanmar), Ven. Ṭhitanyāno (Indonesia), Ven. Visuddhācāra (Taiwan), Ven. Khemadhammika (Indonesia).

SETTING UP THE SĪMĀ

On 10 May, 2011 Tuesday, Suppaṭipanna Sīmā was formally demarcated and agreed upon by the venerable members of the Sangha.

  • Three bhikkhus, two samaneras, two sayalays and devotees participated in specifying or designating the boundary of the Sīmā with stones at eight directions.
  • Then, nine bhikkhus led by the Pa-Auk Sayadaw set up the Sīmā by way of the following procedures.

Samānasaṁvāsa Sīmā kammavācā recited at 08:50 am by (1) Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadaw, Ven. Dhammasubho, Ven. Ukkaṁsa at 08:52 am by (2) Ven. Kunḍadhāna, Ven. Aggañña, Ven. Candimā, at 08:54 am by (3) Ven. Thitanyāno, Ven. Visuddhācāra, Ven. Khemadhammika.

Avippavāsa Sīmā kammavācā recited at 09:10 am by (1) Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadaw, Ven. Dhammasubho, Ven. Ukkaṁsa at 09:13 am by (2) Ven. Kunḍadhāna, Ven. Aggañña, Ven. Candimā, at 09:15 am by (3) Ven. Thitanyāno, Ven. Visuddhācāra, Ven. Khemadhammika.

Samānasaṁvāsa Sīmā + Avippavāsa Sīmā kammavācā recited at 09:19 am by (1) Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadaw, Ven. Dhammasubho, Ven. Ukkaṁsa at 09:24 am by (2) Ven. Kunḍadhāna, Ven. Aggañña, Ven. Candimā, at 09:27 am by (3) Ven. Thitanyāno, Ven. Visuddhācāra, Ven. Khemadhammika. End of the Sīmā setting ceremony by all reciting Paritta chanting together.

OUR SPIRITUAL PATRON

The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Āciṇṇa (“the Sayadaw”), Spiritual Patron of PAMC, is the Abbot and principal teacher of Pa-Auk Forest Monastery, Mawlamyine, Myanmar. In brief, the system of meditation taught at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery is based on the instructions by Lord Gotama Buddha as found in the Pāli Canon (Tipiṭaka) and its commentaries. The system comprises the threefold training of strict observance of precepts (sīla), developing concentration (samādhi), as a basis for attaining wisdom(paññā). This is further subdivided into the seven stages of purification which provide a step-by-step formula for systematically purifying one’s body (physical actions), speech and mind of defilements in order to realize Nibbāna in this lifetime. The Sayadaw’s teachings have been published in several books which are highly regarded internationally. The Sayadaw is both a highly esteemed Dhammācariya (Dhamma Teacher) and an accomplished Kammaṭṭhānācariya (Meditation Teacher). He speaks fluent English and has lectured and led retreats in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Germany, UK and USA. In public recognition of his achievements, the government of Myanmar bestowed upon him the title “Agga Mahā Kammaṭṭhānācariya”, which means “Most Highly Respected Meditation Teacher” in 1999.

OUR RESIDENT TEACHER

Venerable U Dhamma Sara Born in 1974 in Einme Township, Irawaddy, Myanmar, Ashin Dhamma Sara ordained as a novice monk (samanera) after he graduated from high school at the age of 18 in 1993. He received the higher ordination as a Bhikkhu on 30th April 1994. From 1993 to 2004, Ashin studied pariyatti (Buddhist Scriptures). He spend one year in the monastery at his hometown six years in Dawpon Monastery, Yangon and four years in Mahavisudayong Monastery at Mandalay. From 2004 to 2007, Ashin learned and practiced meditation under the guidance of Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Acinna (Sayadawgyi) at Pa-Auk Tawya Monastery at Mawlamyine. Following that, Ashin also attended various long term meditation retreats conducted by Sayadawgyi at Pa-Auk Tawya Monastery and other retreat centres in Indonesia and Malaysia. Since 2007, Ashin has been teaching meditation: 2007 to 2008 at Pa-Auk Tawya, Thanlyin (Yangon) ; vassa in 2009 at Pa-Auk Tawya, Pa An, Karen State; from July 2010 until June 2012 at Pa-Auk Tawya, Thanlyin; from July 2012 onwards at Pa-Auk Tawya, Rempang, Batam. Ashin Dhamma Sara obtained his B.A degree from Distance University Tawa, Yangon in 2008 and Dhammacariya degree (equivalent to B.A degree) in 2012.