Burmese Airport Customs

Many Burmese can recount the famous story of when Sayagyi U Goenka left Burma in 1969. At this time, he was leaving his country of birth in order to travel to India and teach his parents the precious Vipassana meditation that he had learned under Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Before clearing customs, an airport agent asked if he had anything to declare upon leaving, to which the future meditation teacher replied he was taking three precious Burmese gems. The agent became concerned and further security wandered over, and they asked U Goenka to elaborate. He said he was taking with him sīla, samadhi, and panna to share with people abroad, and upon hearing this the customs agent broke into a smile and let him pass.