The Bamaw Lineage and Legacy
March 14th brought he devastating news that the chief of Myanmar Sangha, a member of the Shwegyin sect, the great Bamaw Sayadaw Ashin Kumarabhivamsa, was detained by the military. The Bamaw monastery and lineage is a very important one in Burmese Buddhist history, and Bamaw Sayadaw is one of the most highly regarded monks. It is important for readers to know more about this monk as well as the overall site, so we are including the entry that was included in Part 2 of the meditator’s guidebook to Myanmar.
Bamaw Monastery (ဗန္းေမာ္ေက်ာင္း) and Dhamma Mandapa (ဓမၼမ႑ပ)
“After lunch we sauntered around the Bamaw Monastery, whose rustic buildings are constructed from teak and carved with elaborate floral patterns and Buddhist imagery. The generous Bamaw Sayadaw permitted Goenkaji's Mandalay students to construct a centre on his land. Even though the sayadaw's tradition is not affiliated with Goenkaji's lineage, the selfless monk shared his property simply out of appreciation for Goenkaji's ability to teach people from all walks of life.” Kory Goldberg, Canadian yogi
Upon entering the Bamaw compound, yogis will see a newer Bamaw Monastery to the right, and to the left, set against a backdrop of palms, is the architectural highlight of the compound, the original Bamaw Monastery. Dating back to the 19th century, the teak building captures a classic style of monastic construction and art that, in Mandalay, has rarely survived its wars, disasters and sociocultural transformations. The bright white spire of the Mahā Bodhi Meditation Center loom up above the scene just beyond these grounds. Pleasant stone walkways run through the site, covered by traditional bamboo awnings that keep out the sun and rain. Several lovely lotus ponds dot the compound, their flowers peeking out of the water.
Actually, the grand old Bamaw Monastery building was not originally constructed here: a princess from Manipur in India donated the original structure in Amarapura (the Sayadaw took his name from Bhamo, a Kachin town about 180 miles due east of Manipur). The entire monastery was disassembled and carried to Mandalay following the establishment of the capital here in the mid-19th century. Stylistically very much a product of its time and place, this monastery consists of 162 pillars and is adorned with elaborate carvings outside the doors and windows. It sits several feet off the ground, with a spacious balcony around its circumference. Of particular import is its beautiful shrine room, situated towards the end closest to Dhamma Mandapa. Still used by the several dozen monks currently residing here, it vibrates with a feeling of reverence that harkens back to the countless monastics and lay supporters who have paid respects and meditated here over the last century and a half.
Bamaw Lineage
The Bamaw lineage stretches back to Amarapura, Burma’s capital city before Mandalay. The first Bamaw Sayadaw was very poor as a young monk, so much so that he once had to borrow robes from Mahā Muni Pagoda when sitting for his monastic exams. But though poor in the pocket, he wasn’t quite so humble of spirit, apparently, for later on he became somewhat controversial for the biting and cynical ditties he wrote to express his opinions on various topics of the day.
The present Bamaw Sayadaw, U Kumāra, is a widely respected and revered monk who presides as the head of the Burmese Saṅgha. On a more personal level, he is beloved for his beautiful smile and fondly appreciated for his great wellspring of mettā. Earlier in his monastic career, he tutored monks in memorizing the Tipiṭaka at Mingun Monastery. And even though much dāna has now come to his center, he still lives humbly and simply; he is also known for his warm affinity for children.
Dhamma Mandapa sits between the older and newer monasteries. Meaning “pavilion of Dhamma,” this meditation center is affiliated with the Sayagyi U Goenka tradition. The current Bamaw Sayadaw offered part of his compound to be used for this U Goenka center in the 1990s, the first one in Upper Myanmar, and only the second in the country. Dhamma Mandapa’s only 10-day courses are held during Water Festival, though meditators are usually allowed to come and sit at any time during the day on their own. Yogis sit in the simple cane Dhamma hall. Regular group sittings take place on Sundays and public holidays.