Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha

Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, at No. 16 Sasana Yeiktha Road in Bahan Township, Yangon, is the main centre of the Mahasi noting tradition. It is run by the Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization, which U Nu founded with ministers, officials and businessmen at his house in November 1947, with Sir U Thwin as its first president. On 26 September 1948 the organisation accepted a 5.488-acre compound donated by Sir U Thwin and resolved to found a meditation centre on it, named Sasana Yeiktha. Mahasi Sayadaw (Ashin Sobhana) came from Shwebo at U Nu's invitation, arrived on 10 November 1949 and began teaching vipassanā to 25 yogis on 4 December 1949. He lived and taught there for 33 years, until his death on 14 August 1982, which is why the centre became known as Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha. As of 2026 its website says the centre covers about 20 acres with about 200 buildings, that around 700 centres in Myanmar and abroad teach by the Mahasi method, and that the centre is open all year to yogis from Myanmar and abroad, apart from temporary closures in some years during COVID-19. The site also carries Mahasi Sayadaw's talks, e-books and centre news; its pages about the centre are in Burmese.

How to apply

Apply to each centre directly. Panditarama Lumbini asks you to read its guidelines and then contact it to agree your dates; IBMC Kathmandu wants a signed form at least a week ahead.

What is taught here

Mahasi Sayadaw's method of noting the rise and fall of the abdomen and whatever else arises, practised in silent retreats in Myanmar, Nepal and beyond. Read about Mahasi noting.