Saraniya Dhamma Meditation Centre is located in a quiet leafy suburb of Salford in Greater Manchester. Just outside the Manchester City Center. We are a charitable organisation established back in 1986/87 to help people who wish to learn and practise insight vipassana meditation. We became an official regesterted charity under the name Mahasi Dhamma Fellowship (Charity Registration No 328302) in 1989.
The meditation centre can accommodate up to 20 meditation retreat students at one time and the main hall can accommodate up to 40 students for Dhamma Lectures.
This meditation centre is named “SARANIYA DHAMMA” to reflect the six factors ormethods to achieve conciliation, accord, friendliness, love and courtesy amongst individuals or association.
The centre was originally set up by Venerable Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa of Panditarama Shwe Taung Gon Sasana Yeiktha from Myanmar.
Saraniya Dhamma first opened in July of 1990 at our orignal site in Billinge when Ovadacariya Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa of Panditarama and Sayadaw U Pannadipa came to the UK after an itinerary of Dhamma Dhuta. Sayadaw U Pannadipa later became the resident sayadaw in the Mahasi Meditation Centre in Billinge.
His successor Sayadaw U Nanujjota became the resident sayadaw in 1998, and the centre moved to Salford / Manchester in 2002 during his tenure.
The meditation method is Intensive Vipassana in the tradition of the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw of Myanmar, which consists of sitting meditation and formal walking meditation throughout the day. Almost daily discussions and debate about the teachings Dhamma take place both in Burmese as well as English. Meditators observe Noble Silence and keep eight precepts.
Currently, the resident teacher is Venerable U Pannasami, who trained with the Venerable Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa of Myanmar.
Saraniya Dhamma Meditation Centre Printable Brochare (PDF)