Dhamma Therapy

Edited from Dhamma Therapy, Cases of Healing through Vipassana compiled by Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma translated by Bhikkhu Aggacitta

Translator's Preface

The translation is actually of an appendix compiled by the late Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw in 1976. The reader will soon discover that sandwiched between the apparently scholastic introduction and conclusion, skilfully written by the late Venerable Sayadaw, lies the appetizing main portion of the work which deals with the almost miraculous healing of sicknesses, encountered in the course of Dhamma-striving, as related either personally or as recorded by widely experienced Meditation Teachers.

 

A tribute to Sayadaw U Nandiya

Abandoned “incurable” cured

When U Nandiya, a meditation teacher, was still a layman he was afflicted by numerous illnesses. He had suffered for years from hemiplegia, hydrocele and frequent spells of giddiness. Abandoning him as an incurable, native doctors refused to treat him.

After becoming a bhikkhu, he had a serious attack of fever and four months of medical treatment brought only slight improvement. Mustering up as much strength as possible from the little left, he resolutely approached Sayadaw U Pandava of Mahasatiptthana Monastery, Moulmein for meditation. However , he did not immediately commence his retreat upon arrival because he was feeling rather weak. But while waiting to recover strength he again contemplated, “Old age, pain and death do not put off the days or tarry. If I keep postponing I will surely fall into the abyss of foolishness. On this very day I shall start meditation!”

So, with a resolute mind he began to meditate right on that day. He , did not speak to a single person, locked himself up in his room and resolutely meditated.

 

He relentlessly watched and noted all sensations that arose, with diligence. By not changing postures frequently and being patient he could steadily remain attentively mindful for longer and longer stretches of time—from an hour to two, two to three, three to four hours, and so forth.

 

 

By the time he was able to do so for a six-hour stretch, the coarser painful sensations had diminished. And when he could remain immovable and mindful in one single posture for twelve hours, all the finer sensations completely vanished.

In the most natural way he was relieved of all evident painful sensations as well as the various illnesses he was then suffering from. It should be noted with conviction that this healing and relief resulted from great fortitude in the persistent application of intent mindfulness.

It may justly be said that it is extremely difficult to find such rare qualities of great fortitude and diligent effort as were found in U Nandiya.
Any painful sensation whatsoever that occurred was never ignored, but made the very object of intent mindfulness; not with the attitude of “I simply will not stand it if I don’t win”. Instead, with the view of “my task is to be mindful of whatever that occurs” , he continued noting mindfully. And in doing so he was indeed eventually relieved of all painful sensations.

After having completed his 17^th rainy retreat , U Nandiya started showing the Dhamma to yogis.
The method shown was of course, based on Mahasi Sayadaw’s way of meditation.

Special encouragement was given to maintain any one posture.
Yogis were instructed to gradually lengthen the time of a session from fifteen minutes minutes to half an hour, and so forth.

Some yogis could remain mindful in a single posture for twelve hours and even up to fifteen hours without shifting their bodies or limbs.

Some were instructed to practice more in postures that were appropriate for their states of health. For instance, those suffering from giddiness and hemiplegia were instructed to be mindful mainly in the standing posture, while those suffering from piles, mainly in the sitting posture.

Accordingly, when they could remain mindful for six hours or more, they were relieved of their illnesses. As they noted mindfully, their postures became much more stable. Subsequently all the painful sensations and ailments completely vanished and they felt great ease and comfort.

Below are some cases, from among the many, of yogis who experienced the disappearance of illnesses and pain through gradual prolongation of a posture...

 

1. Cured of bronchitis and malaria

Sayadaw U Vamsapala of Dhammikayone Monastery. Kyaik-Kar Village, Mu Done Township, had suffered from giddiness, asthmatic bronchitis and malaria since 1950. Though he had recourse to what he thought was suitable medicine, they gave only temporary relief. The ailments recurred every now and then.

He came to practice under Sayadaw U Nandiya's guidance, at first for a period of two weeks.

In September 1973, he again meditated for a second time for about three months.

He was able to be continuously mindful through the sitting and standing postures for twelve and eight hours respectively and was appreciably relieved of the ailments and pain.

Thus inspired he returned to strive for the third time so that the ailments might be completely cured.

Indeed, within a week he could be continuously mindful for fourteen hours in all the three postures of lying, sitting and standing.

Giddiness, asthmatic bronchitis, malaria and all the former painful sensations vanished once and for all. This third meditation retreat lasted for five months and thirteen days.

2. Cured of a host of ailments

Senior monk U Uttara of Ga Mone Monastery, Ta Gun Village, Mu Done Township, had been afflicted for years with giddiness, heart ailment, piles, urinary troubles, jaundice, ache in the buttocks and lumbago.

In the year 1975 he entered the rainy retreat in Mahasatipatthana Monastery and meditated. He was almost at the point of tears as intense and unbearable pain occurred. Instructions were given to be mindful of it just as it happened.

When he could remain mindful for a continuous stretch of six to seven hours, all the above-mentioned painful illnesses vanished.

Today he lives quite comfortably in his resident monastery, continuing to practice mindfulness with no need for massage.

 

3. Cured of urinary problem

A resident bhikkhu, U Nanadhaja of Mahasatipatthana Monastery, Taw Gu Village, Mu Done Township, suffered from constricting pains in the abdomen. A doctor advised an operation.

“Before going for the operation. Try meditation! Sayadaw U Nandiya advised him.

“I frequently feel the need to urinate every now and then, Yet when I do go, only a little bit comes out.”

“Your belly pain could probably be due to this,” said Sayadaw U Nandiya encouragingly, and instructed him to be mindful.

“Whenever you feel like wanting to urinate, you should intently note ‘wanting to urinate, wanting to urinate’.”

He noted mindfully as instructed and expelled a total of twenty-seven tiny while stones in succession. U Nanadhaja was thus completely cured of abdominal pain and the frequent urge to urinate.

 

4. (...)

 

5. Cured of giddiness

Eighteen-year-old Ma Than Yi, daughter of Ta Gun villager U Thein Hlaing, had suffered from giddiness for over ten years. She came to the meditation center and with faith and diligence, meditated intently.

On the third day she was able to be continuously mindful in a single posture for about three hours.

She could then also mindfully note her giddiness. Each time it was noted, the giddiness vanished.

Later on, as she was being mindful for prolonged periods, the giddiness never occurred again. She had been completely cured.

 

6. Cured of ten-year ailment after ten days

Twenty-year-old Ma Khin Than, daughter of Taw Gu villagers U Ngo and Daw Win Kyi, had suffered from constricting pains in the abdomen for over ten years when she came to the yeiktha to meditate.

On the third day when mindfulness could be maintained for three hours, she vomited some lumps from her belly. She also had diarrhea. Instructions were given to be mindful of her symptoms as they happened. After ten days the ailment never occurred again, right up till today.

 

7. Abdominal pains disappear

Sixty-year-old U Win of Naing Hlone Village had suffered from constricting pains in the abdomen for many years when he arrived at the yeiktha to meditate. At about 8.00 pm on the third night, as he was being mindful according to instructions, he vomited about two spittoons of hard solid matter. The abdominal pain disappeared too. Thanks to his continued observant noting, the sickness never occurred again.

 

8. No more dependent on a masseur

Seventy-year-old U Tut of Ta Gun Daing Village suffered from giddiness and pains; so he always had to have a masseur standing by to attend to his needs. He was also afficated with piles and bronchitis. He came to the yeiktha for meditation.

At first he was able to be mindful for only about an hour. He prolonged it progressively up to four hours.

All the various painful sensations gradually diminished until eventually they vanished completely.

 

9. Cured of a stomach tumour

Daw Ngwe Thein of Ta Gun Village had intestinal colic and a tumour in her belly. Medicine dispensed by a clinic did not cure her ailments; so she went to the General Hospital for a check-up and was told by the doctor that she would have to undergo an operation. She was already seventy-five years old and because of weakness she did not dare to undergo the operation.

“If I die, let me die with mindfulness,” she said, and came to the yeiktha for meditation.

At the beginning she could not be mindful for long in a single posture but was gradually able to prolong her mindfulness. As much as she could be mindful, her ailments diminished too. When she was able to maintain mindfulness in a single posture for a five to six hours stretec, all her sicknesses vanished.

Now (1975) at the age of seventy-eight, it has been three years since they disappeared, never to recur.

 

10. Another cured of a tumour

Fifty-five-year-old Daw Sein Ti of Kyaik Kwe Village suffered from constricting pains due to a tumour in the abdomen. For the past fifteen years she had has to take soda. She came to the yeiktha for the Dhamma therapy prescribed by the Buddha and was mindful according to the teacher’s instructions.

Day by day, as her posture became steadier, the intensity of the illness diminished too. When she could be mindful for a seven-hour stretch, the illness and all painful sensations completely vanished.

Now (1975) she is already sixty, and no longer needs to take soda, nor are there any more constricting pains in the belly, Her meditation retreat lasted sixteen days.

 

11. Chronic pains of forty years eradicated in a retreat

Ever since she was thirty, Daw Ma Le of Ta Gun Daing Village had suffered from abdominal pains. In the past, meditation centres has not yet  been established. So the thought of meditation did not occur to her. When she was seventy years old. A meditation center near her village had become quite prominent; so one day she went and meditated. Just like most people she could only be fairly mindful at the beginning.

But practicing according to the teacher’s instruction to gradually gradually prolong and maintain the posture, she could eventually be mindful for five to six hours at stretch.

Then her illness vanished. Now (1975) she is already eight-eight and her illness has never recurred.

 

12. Cured of illness of twenty years

U Yasa, a resident bhikkhu of Mahayin Monastery. Kun Dar Village, Mu Done Township, had suffered from giddiness and hydrocele for over twenty years when he arrived at the yeiktha to meditate.

Only when he reached the stage where posture could be maintained for four hours did his illness diminish in intensity, giving some relief. As he carried on noting mindfully, they completely disappeared. And when he could be continuously mindful in the standing posture for twelve hours, the sickness never recurred.

 

13. Cured of paralysis

Daw khyi, a lady from Kant Baloo Town, Shwe Bo District, had fallen from a tree and a leg became partially paralyzed. At Mahasi Meditation Centre, Rangoon she met a nun from Myowa Mahasatipatthana Monastery Moulmein and followed her via Moulmein to arrive at Taw Gu Village Yeiktha.

At first she still could not be very mindful.

However as she gradually improved and could be mindful for four hours at a stretch, her disability and pain diminished in intensity, giving some relief. About a month later she was able to be continuously mindful for seven hours and was completely healed of hemiplegia.

 

14. Persuaded by relatives to meditate

Before U Nandiya established Taw Gu Village Yeiktha, he was residing at Mahasatipatthana Monadtery in Kok Karait Town teaching The Dhamma. Around the year 1963, there was a woman in the town called Daw Kyawk Khin who suffered from ascites which swelled up her belly as though she was pregnant. She went for a medical check-up, and the doctor said, “We must operate. It will cost about a thousand kyats. But we do not guarantee it will be cured.”

Because of fear , she did not go for the operation. But because of her relatives’ encouragement and pressure on her to meditate, she arrived at the yeiktha quite against her own wishes.

“There are bold ghosts and fierce petas (spirits of the departed) in that yeiktha. And they could very well scare the wits out of you!” This rumour had gone round and Daw Kyawk Khin had heard it too—only too well. No wonder she did not want to come!

Upon her arrival, Sayadaw U Nandiya gave instructions to be mindful in the lying position, the posture most appropriate for her condition. As she mindfully noted her posture, her body felt increasingly heavy until it became immovable. Thinking that she was being possessed by a bold ghost, she lost her mindfulness.

“I’ve been possessed by a bold ghost! I’m going to die! You all have come to kill me, huh! I’m not staying any longer! Send me back,” she cried hysterically as she struggled in a frenzy to get up. Angry at all those people who had sent her to the yeiktha, she scolded them roundly.

“Don’t leave, dakamagyi. Don’t be angry. Well, do apologise for what you’ve unwittingly said, of course. You’ve been very fortunate to be able to come and meet me, you know. And I’m regarding the situation on an intimate brother-sister basis. If you don’t want to lie down, don’t. But listen to what I have to say. Well, you can walk over there for a while. When feeling heavy, note ‘heavy, heavy’ ,and if you feel light, note it as ‘light, light’. Do keep on noting for an hour or two; for as long as you can. If you can’t walk any more, just stop and stand over there. When you feel heavy, note ‘heavy, heavy’ and if it’s light, note ‘light, light’. Do keep noting for as long as possible. Then if you can’t stand any longer sit by the side of your bed and note for a while. When feeling heavy, note ‘heavy, heavy’, and when light, note ‘light, light’ for as long as you can. If again you can’t sit any more lie gently on the bed and if you feel heavy, note ‘heavy, heavy’. If you feel light, note ‘light, light’. Just carry on noting, that’s all. If you should fall asleep, let it be! When you’re lying down, don’t be afraid to fall asleep, let it be! When you’re lying down, don’t be afraid of anything! I will send metta (loving-kind-ness) and watch over…” Thus Sayadaw coaxed her to keep on noting.

The dakamagyi, who was afraid to lie down, finally assumed the lying position because she could no longer be mindful in the other three postures. With the intention to sleep, her whole body became heavy and immovable and she was quite calmly mindful.

But instead of falling asleep, she maintained mindfulness for three hours and the whole body became light.

Her distended belly also deflated and regained its normal condition. Upon getting up she reported joyously to Sayadaw, “I’m so amazed, Bhante, really amazed! My whole body has become so light, Bhante! My belly has gone down too, Bhante!”

 

15. Sickly after a fall

A boy named Yang Aung of Taw Gu Village suffered from constricting pains, headaches and tumours in the abdomen after falling down from a tree. Nothing much came out of the healing efforts made by native doctors. An elder monk even pronounced, “Liver failure, incurable.”

The complexion of his whole body was very sickly. He came to the yeiktha and while meditating felt something inside the abdomen, like a top spinning. It also ached. After about ten days a sound like “gayoke” came from the abdomen. “It’s burst open,” he thought.

At the same time a rotten smell emitted from his mouth, but later on he felt light and relieved.

When he could be mindful in either one of the sitting or standing postures for a continuous stretch of six hours, all the illnesses vanished. He was also able to be mindful sitting for six hours, and ended with another six-hour session in the lying posture.

Later he became a samanera and until today (February 1976) he is still residing in Taw Gu Yeiktha.

 

Two cases related by Mahasi Sayadaw

 

1. Cured of chronic wind illness

In 1945, in a village by the name of Leik Chin, an elder monk having heard about Mahasi Sayadaw’s technique of vipassanā meditation decided to practice it in his own monastery. After just a few days, extraordinary concentration and insight arose and the chronic ‘wind’ illness which he had suffered from for over twenty years completely vanished.

This monk became very confident that one can be healed from any illness if observant noting is done in accordance with the technique of satipaţţhāna meditation.

Therefore, whenever he felt unwell or sick he would always had practiced the Mahasi Sayadaw’s technique without relying on conventional medicine. He also instructed and advised his own disciples to practice this meditation when they fell sick.

 

2. Breaking toddy addiction through mindfulness

A young farmer by the name of Maung Ma from Zaung Village, was heavily addicted to alcohol. In 1945, his brothers and sisters who had meditated in Mahasi Monastery persuaded him to do the same. He promised that he would do so and agreed to start on an appointed day. On that day when his brothers and sisters called to get him to start his retreat, they found him heavily drunk.

The next day, leaving very much earlier, they arrived before he could take the toddy and successfully escorted him to the meditation hut.

Maung Ma meditated seriously according to Mahasi Sayadaw’s instructions and found so much satisfaction in the Dhamma that he refused to leave the monastery for home. He said he was going to become a bhikkhu.

“Since you have a family, do carry on till you’ve fulfilled your obligations. Next time, when it’s suitable to be bhikkhu, then do so.” So the meditation sayadaws cajoled him into going home.

Maung Ma truly revered the Dhamma. It is said that even as he carried goods over his shoulders and peddled his wares, he would maintain unbroken mindfulness; and while reaping paddy too, at each stroke he would try to make at least three mental notes. At one time he wondered whether he still had any longing for toddy. He sniffed a large mug of liquor and then quickly looked into his mind to see if there was any desire to drink it.

It seems that while doing so for four, five or six times vipassanā insight arose and, gathering momentum, culminated in a cessation experience

A few years later, as Maung Ma was undergoing intense suffering due to a fatal illness, he did not lay aside his precious mindfulness.

On the night he was to die, he related to his wife, while mindfully noting the sensations in his body:

“Oh, now the part of my leg from the ankle to the knee is no longer alive. There is only life till the knee-cap.

Oh, now there is life only till the hips... now only to the navel…and now only till the center of the chest, in the heart.”

Stage by stage, he described the changes that took place in his body.

Finally he uttered, “Soon, I will die. Do not be afraid of dying. One day you too shall have to die. Do make it a point to meditate…”

And indeed, soon after those last words to his wife, he died.

This is an account of how Dhamma therapy can free someone from toddy addiction.