CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION (1908-2008)
MIGADAWON MYANMAR BUDDHIST TEMPLE
DHAMMACHAKKA VIHARA, SARNATH, VARANASI, UP, INDIA

After a few days, as the result of listening to the Buddha's teachings, 55 noble men including the merchant Yasa (Yasha) and his relatives, became the followers of the Buddha, monks (Bhikkhus/Sangha). The Lord commissioned them to spread the Dhamma around the Majjhimadesa and beyond:

"Go forth, Monks, for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare, the good and happiness of both gods and men. Let no two of you go in the same direction. Teach the Dhamma, which is beautiful in the beginning, beautiful in the middle and beautiful in the end. Explain both the letter and spirit of the holy life, completely fulfilled and perfectly pure."

The Gotama Buddha spent the first rains retreat after the enlightenment at Sarnath and had revisited it on second time after thirty-six years. The Buddha again visited Sarnath on several occasions, since a number of discourses were delivered there. In the centuries after the Buddha's final Nirvana, the place had grown into the centre of Buddhist scholarship and art. During the Chinese pilgrim, Huien-tsien's time (around sixth century), there were numerous temples and monasteries with over 1500 monks. Somehow, the place has been abandoned for some period by the Buddhist monks and it was only in early nineteenth century, venerable monks from Myanmar and Sri Lanka tried to reestablish Buddhist temples and guest houses for pilgrims. Archaeological surveys and restoration works were done in late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, Migadawon/Sarnath is one of the most peaceful and pleasant sites of all Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites in the Middle Land. Migadawon is the place where the Buddha initiated the order of the disciples of the Lord Buddha, the Bhikkhus, as Sangha Ratana as one of the triple gems. It is from Sarnath, the Dhamma began its journey to spread around the world.

From the time of the Buddha Gotama, monastic tradition flourished for over 2000 years in Migadawon, Sarnath and the place became one of the everlasting importance for all those who are interested in Buddhism as one of the great centers for pilgrimage. The archaeological findings indicated the ruins existed in present days dated from as early as 260 BCE. The existing inscription of pillar erected by the Great Indian Emperor Ashoka (270-232 BCE) indicated that the monasteries were already established before his period. King Ashoka had made several constructions at this sacred seat of Buddhism, followed by many other Kings. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hsien (374-462 CE) described the scenic beauty and glory of Migadawon, Sarnath during the reign of Chandragupta II (376-414 CE). However, the pitiless vandalism of man and nature alike obliterated much of pristine grandeur of Migadawon.

Major structure left from Gupta period is the Dhamekha Stupa, a place believed to be exactly where the Lord Buddha delivered his second sermon on Anattalakkhana Sutta to his five disciples. Anagarika Dharmapala of Sri Lanka (1864-1933), who rekindled the torch of the ennobling faith and spread its light to distant lands in Asia, worked hard to re-establish Sarnath as one of the prominent centers of Buddhism.

Since early Myanmar kingdoms, there are emissaries sent by the Royals and the pilgrimages by lay people to various Buddha places. In 1908, Myanmar Monks – Venerable U Chandramani of Kusinagar, Venerable U Thuriya of Thayettawtaik, Yangon, Venerable U Kittima of Sarnath, Venerable U Kawthala of Payagyitaik, Yangon, together with Upasakas and Upasikas established the "Sarnath Buddhist Society" with the sole aim of reviving the decadent Buddha Sasana in the land of origin.

Venerable U Chandramani managed to establish a small monastery in 1908 in the midst of the Migadawon Forest, quite close to the place where the Lord Buddha preached his very first sermons, long before the Government of India declared the Migadawon Deer Park in Sarnath as an archaeological site. It is the prime property near and west of the Nandiya Vihara existed during the time of the Gotama Buddha.

Venerable U Chandramani, with the help of the Sarnath Buddhist Society and the pilgrimages from Myanmar constructed a series of buildings:

(1) A small rest house for pilgrims in 1910, donated by U Mya Tun;

(2) Maha Wizitawi sima house in 1934, donated by Daw Phyu and family;

(3) Thatdhammayanthi Pitaka Library and a surface well in 1934, donated by U Shwe Win and Daw Thaung May;

(4) Dhammachakka Vihara for the residence monks in 1937, donated by U Kyaw Zan and Daw Hla U.

Simultaneously the Society managed to translate some of the Pali Pitaka into Hindi and published some books in Myanmar language.

The first Chief resident monk was Venerable U Chandramani (1908-1928), followed by Venerable U Kittima (1928-1950), and then, Venerable Teikkheindriya (1950-1987). From 1987 till date, Venerable U Wannadhaza is the Chief Resident Monk. There was a time when Sayadaw U Wannadhaza encountered numerous difficulties due to lack of Buddhist devotees nearby and having to depend solely on the devotees from afar. Following the examples of Ashin U Chandramani and Sayadaw U Kittima, several new buildings and renovation of old structures have been carried out during 1990s till date. The Government of Myanmar and the pilgrims have helped the Sayadaw U Wannadhaza's unfailing sadha and viriya, by adding a new three storey rest house for pilgrims, renovated existing structures to reflect the traditional Myanmar architecture, and improvements to have adequate water supply, sanitation and electricity.

Apart from upgrading and renovating the existing structures, as well as incorporating the traditional Myanmar architecture decorations, Sayadaw U Wannadhaza constructed the main entrance to the Vihara, the entrance to Migadawon deer park and the perimeter brick fencing wall. The following new buildings were constructed within this Vihara:

1) Nepal vihara donated by Nepalese nun Daw Dhammawadi (Chitthamee) and her Nepalese devotees in 1991;

2) Dhammacakka vihara donated by Dr. U Ko Ko, Regional Director (WHO), New Delhi) and his Dhamma friends in 1993;

3) Meditation facilities donated by Myanmar Buddha Gaya pilgrimage group in 1996;

4) Dhammachakka Rajamuni Buddha image and shrine hall in 1997;

5) Bawja-narlaya dining hall donated by U Sein Tun Aung- Daw Hla Hla of UK in 1999;

6) Sayadaw U Chandramuni three storey residential building for pilgrims donated by Myanmar Buddha Gaya Pilgrimage group in 1999;

7) Thuwunnathama Dhamma hall donated by Aung Chan Tha Buddha Gaya pilgrimage group in 2001;

8) Sunlun Dhamma vihara donated by Sun Lun Sayadaw U Wimaya of Kaba Aye, Yangon and his devotees in 2006-2007.

Thus, the Buddha Sasana flag continues flying on the Migadawon Myanmar Buddhist Temple, and perpetuating and propagating the Buddha's teaching as instructed by the Gotama Buddha to the sixty Bhikkhus after spending His first vassa at this Migadawon Deer Park which is as follows:

"Go ye Bhikkhus, and wander forth for the gain of the many, for the welfare of the many, in compassion for the world, for the good, for the gain, for the welfare of gods and men, Proclaim, O Bhikkhus, the doctrine glorious, preach ye a life of holiness, perfect and pure."

Venerable U Wannadhaza and his devotees are planning to commemorate the "Centennial Celebration" of the founding of Dhammachakka Vihara Myanmar Buddhist Temple on February 28, 2008 (Thursday) at Migadawon Vihara, Sarnath, India. Morning programme will be in Myanmar and afternoon programme will be for international event, joined by well-known Sayadaws from Myanmar, H.E Ambassador of Myanmar to India, Varanasi City Mayor and representatives from State Sangha Mahanayaka and Ministry of Religious Affairs of Myanmar.

It's the rare chance for any Buddhists to be able to take part in such a historic celebration at the Myanmar Buddhist Temple popularly known as Dhammachakka Vihara which is regarded as the ultimate pilgrimage trip for Buddhists living all around the world.

CONTACT ADDRESSES:

1. Venerable U Wannadhaza

Chief Resident Monk

Myanmar Buddhist Temple - Dhammachakka Vihara

Sarnath, Varanasi, 221007, Uttar Pradesh, India

Tel: (91) 542-2595199; Fax: (91) 542-2595100

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2. Dr. U Than Sein

Buddhist Devotee

New Delhi 110002, India

3. Daw Thazin Myint Aung

Aung Chantha Buddha Gaya Pilgrimage Association

Power Palace, Baukhtaw, Yankin Township,

Yangon, Myanmar

4. Venerable Dr. Ashin Nayaka

41-12 Forley Street, Elmhurst, New York 11373, USA

Tel: & Fax (718) 898-8274

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5. Dr. Mya Mya Aye

40-38 Forley Street, Elmhurst, NY 11373, USA

Tel: (718) 429-4525

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6. U Tin Htoon

2295 Parkview Lane, Chino Hills, CA 91709, USA

Tel: (909) 348-7653

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(Text prepared by Than Sein and Tin Htoon, and Photos by Than Sein)