Sayagyi U Ba Khin Vipassana Village
Igatpuri - 422 403,
Maharashtra, India
Tel: 91-2553-244076 / 244086; Fax: 91-2553-244176
E-mail: info@giri.dhamma.org; web site: www.vri.dhamma.org
View of Sayagyi U Ba Khin Village from atop Myanmar Gate

“Let all Vipassana meditators make a firm resolution to live the life of Dhamma to the best of their ability. We,
the students of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, will continue to walk resolutely on the path of Dhamma, for not only our
benefit but for the benefit of others. Seeing our Dhammic behaviour, those who do not have faith in Vipassana
will develop faith; and those who have faith will strengthen their faith.”

Goenkaji's words at the Public Talk held in the Sayagyi U Ba Khin village during the
official inauguration of the Myanmar Gate in 2004, serve a guiding force for the purpose behind
establishing the Sayagyi U Ba Khin Village. The U Ba Khin Village is one of the three major
projects take up to mark the birth centenary of Sayagyi U Ba Khin in 1999, and is a unique facility
to enable students from all over the world to reside adjacent to Dhamma Giri.
All residents are meditators and are required to observe the five precepts.
The inspiring entrance to the Village is the Myanmar Gate built in 2004 as a grateful
tribute to the noble Bhikkhu Sangha of Myanmar who preserved the complete teachings of the
Buddha, both theory (Tipiµaka) and practice (Vipassana) in its pristine purity for over two
millennia.

The Asoka Pillar, with the Wheel of Dhamma atop, situated near the Myanmar Gate is a
symbol of deep gratitude to Emperor Ashoka who sent Vipassana to the neighbouring countries.
Emperor Asoka

Had Emperor Ashoka not sent it to Myanmar, Vipassana would have been lost totally.
The Dhamma pillar stands as a grateful tribute to Emperor Ashoka.

A 11 KV High Voltage transformer has now been installed in the Village, including the
option of having a generator being made available. Approximately 200 to 250 individual trees of
6-8 feet in height and 250 to 300 flowering plants will be planted along the approach road to the
Village and the internal roads through the Village. These trees and plants to be planted include
golden / green bamboo, neem tree, rain tree, alstonia, peltophorum, cassia fistula and other types.
The purpose is for Sayagyi U Ba Khin Village to evolve to be an idyllic and personal
dwelling place for meditators.