



Read more Winter 2025 Newsletter and Special Events
In 2023 we successfully built a replica of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Burma. Our Shwedagon stands 21 feet tall and took fours years to complete with donations from Burma and Burmese expatriates in America.
Teaching Done In Library
From the beginning, Dr. Thynn would teach the lessons in the library of the main Dhamma house. We would like to build a classroom dedicated to teaching on the property. We are looking for donations to make that happen.
DANA (GIVING)
Dana (pronounced “dah-na”)
is a Pali word for Giving/Generosity
Sae Taw Win II Dhamma Foundation has operated on this 2,500 year old Buddhist tradition since its inception. Classes have been offered for free and the teachers offer their time in service to the Dhamma.
STW II relies on this spirit of generosity to maintain the programs offered and to support the administration of the center.
In the Buddhist tradition the act of giving is an opportunity to cultivate the ability to “let go.”
We appreciate all who extend monthly pledges and generous donations in support to the flourishing of STWII’s commitment of spreading the dhamma.
Although no one is turned away for lack of funds a pledge of $10-20 per class is greatly appreciated by those choosing to attend one of our course series. We keep a dana bowl by the door entrance allowing people to anonymously donate.
Dana in the form of volunteering skills to Sae Taw Win II community is also welcome. Please inquire with the office if interested.
With Metta
This book is a manual that will guide the meditator throughout their day regardless of where they are and what they are doing. This is one of the few books that will help the meditator integrate their mindfulness practice and all their experiences in life by developing equanimity and balance. It is in fact a way to find one’s central core from which one can relate to the world at large.
The book is now available on Amazon. All proceeds will go to Sae Taw Win II Dhamma Center.
Her other book is:
Living Meditation, Living Insight
Found on: https://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/livngmed.pdf
In Burmese here.
An extraordinary year to say the least.
Feb 1, I became an octogenarian !! Just celebrated quietly with my family. Win asked me if I wanted to have a gathering I thought of previous birthdays I celebrated with my students. After 22 yrs having founded the Center, and organising so many festivals and events with STW community I felt I owe it to my family to be just with them. My family had sacrificed a whole lot when I started the Center. I could only pay partial attention to them. I felt I just wanted to celebrate with them. I had no plans. But Win took me to a local tea shop in Sebastopol. We talked for about four hours ! A time to reminiscent, a time to pick up threads where we left off. We were both at peace and we just talked and talked. It was most precious time to spend with my first born who is actually very busy with her two little boys. Shannon my Son-in-Law took care of the boys to let mother and daughter spend time together. That evening Shannon and the boys joined us at the Center for a simple dinner. Their present for me was a caricature of the two boys Khine and Zeya! It was a lovely family day !!
Then the Pandemic started in China. I had started to follow the news about Wuhan in China where it first began. I anticipated it will become a pandemic seeing that the virus was from animals . Humans have no immunity for such invaders. True to form pandemic ensued so since March I have been stay home all the time. I venture out only for visits to my osteopath and chiropractor to treat my spine and posterior pelvic joints.
I had a lot of time on my hands so began to write on daily life practice in Burmese and English on Facebook where I was able to reconnect with doctors my ex contemporaries. Then tried making videos with iPhone as Susan my secretary is quite good in taping my sessions.
I also began to teach 2 small zoom classes on DLMP daily life mindfulness practice with hands-on training. It was very enjoyable and became high lights of my stay-at-home time. It was great to interact with them on Zoom. I experimented with sandwiching parts of Abhidhamma after each mindfulness in daily life course with the objective to help to understand the Mindfulness practice against the background of Abhidhamma teachings. I was very happy to find my students highly appreciated it.
Shwedagon Pagoda building project at the Center had taken off very well but had to be stalled due to the pandemic. We are planning to restart again soon. Please check the website www.americanshwedagon.com
The top structures were made in Burma with guided stainless steel in 5 sections and will be air freighted very soon. I was instructed to complete the Pagoda by mid Jan by myGuru. The pagodas built in our lineage are like building vortices with extraordinary healing energy. Once they are crowned the astral energy will be broadcasted all over US and the world over.
With this I would like to conclude the letter with best wishes to everyone for Happy Holidays!!
With Metta
Dr Thynn Thynn