DHAMMACAKKA VIHARA
BURMESE BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Sarnath, Varanasi, India
U Tin Htoon, USA
(First published in 'Singapore Burmese Buddhist Temple Newsletter, 1990')
Unlike those previously published Burmese Buddhist Monasteries abroad, this Vihara is situated in one of the sacred Buddhist places in India and thus a brief account of Sarnath is featured before commencing the article on the Dhammacakka Vihara itself.
| Buddha preaching the First Sermon |
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| Dhammacakka Vihara | Venerable U Wannadhaza |
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Sarnath (the Migadawun Deer park) where the Buddha gave his First Sermon Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta' commonly known as "The Great Discourse on the Wheel of Dhamma" to Bhikkhu Kondannaand his four companions has an everlasting importance for all those who are interested in Buddhism. This is also where the Buddha initiated the order of Monks.
Gotama Buddha in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta had spoken of it as one of the four places, made sacred by His association which faithful followers should visit with reverence and awe. The other three places being "Lumbini" where the Buddha was born, Buddha Gaya" where the Buddha attained Enlightenment, and "Kusinagara Sal Park" where the Buddha passed onto Mahaparinibbana. The Buddha mentioned that those who shall die with a believing heart, in the course of their pilgrimage to these four sacred places will be reborn in a heavenly state on the dissolution of their body after death.
After the great demise of Gotama Buddha, Sarnath became one of the great centres for Buddhist pilgrimage. For over two and a half centuries the history of Sarnath remains a blank chapter in the historical records. The thick veil of darkness was lifted by Emperor Asoka who was credited with several constructions at this sacred seat of Buddhism. But the pitiless vandalism of man and nature ailke obliterated much of Sarnath's pristine grandeur. Anagarika Dharmapala of Sri Lanka. 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 centres of Buddhism. In 1908 four Burmese Monks namely Venerable U Chandramani of Kusinagara, Venerable U Thuriya of Thayetawtaik, Rangoon, Venerable U Kittima of Sarnath, Venerable U Kawthala of Payagyitaik, Rangoon together with four Upasakas and four Upasikas established the "Sarnath Buddhist Society" with the sole aim of reviving the decadent Buddha Sasana in the land of its origin.
| View from Dhammacakka Vihara Burmese Buddhist Temple |
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| Guest House | Maha Wizitawi Sima House |
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Venerable U Chandramani managed to acquire the land for the Vihara way before the Government of India declared the Migadawun Deer Park as an Archaeological site. It is just adjacent to it and west of Nandiya Vihara donated by the rich man Nandiya during the time of the Buddha. Venerable U Kittima with the help of the Sarnath Buddhist Society and donors from Burma constructed
(1) "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) "Thatdhammanyanthi" Pitaka Library and a surface well in 1934 donated by U Shwe Win and Daw Thaung May
(4) "Dhammacakka Vihara" monks' residence in 1937 donated by U Kyaw Zan and Daw Hla U
| Thatdhammanyanthi Pitaka Library |
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Simultaneously the Society managed to translate some of the Pail Pitaka into Hindi and published some books in Burmese.
The first Chief Monk was Venerable U Chandramani followed by Venerable U Kittima and Venerable U Teikkheindriya. The present Chief Monk is Venerable U Wannadhaza. Inspite of numerous difficulties encountered due to lack of Buddhist devotees nearby and having to depend solely on the devotees from afar, Venerable U Wannadhaza managed to keep the Buddha Sasana flag flying as instructed by Gotama Buddha to the sixty monks after spending His first Vassa at this Migadawun Deer Park which is as follows
Go ye, O 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.
For the Buddhist Monks to pursue with their work the propagation and perpetuation of Buddha Sasana it is extremely important to have continued support from devotees far and near. Those interested may contact
Venerable U Wannadhaza
Chief Monk
Dhammacakka Vihara Burmese Buddhist
Temple
P.O. Sarnath 21007
Varanasi U. P. India
