Vipassana (विपश्यना)

[updated on 19 Nov 2021]

10 day Vipassana Course

Center: Dhamma Kaya, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh

Registration (to be done through the website): https://www.dhamma.org (various other details are also available at the website for more information)

Price/ Charges: It is completely free at every center. In the words of Shri S N Goenka, the sadhaks are taught to be like a monk for the training period & appreciate the gratefulness of others who came before them and donated to support for the well being of the ones who will come after them and learn a method for liberation from suffering.

Period: 1 Nov (evening) - 12 Nov 2021 (morning)

Objective of Vipassana (as mentioned during the course & based on self interpretation):

1. Observing separation of mind from body

2. Disciplining mind

3. Observing sensations* on the body & meditating on the non-permanence nature of these sensations

*It is assumed that the sensations (संवेदना) appearing on the body, in absence of external influences, arise due to karmic effects of works done till date and also done in the past.

Undertaking precepts (Sila):

In addition to maintaining noble silence (आर्य मौन) all who attend a Vipassana course must conscientiously undertake the following five precepts for the duration of the course [i]:

1. to abstain from killing any being;

2. to abstain from stealing;

3. to abstain from all sexual activity;

4. to abstain from telling lies;

5. to abstain from all intoxicants.

There are three additional precepts which old students (that is, those who have completed a course with S.N. Goenka or one of his assistant teachers) are expected to follow during the course:

6. to abstain from eating after midday;

7. to abstain from sensual entertainment and bodily decorations;

8. to abstain from using high or luxurious beds.

[i] https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/about/code

Daily schedule:

Various facilities (eating, shower etc):

Despite being at a very small city the center is well maintained and offers all basic conveniences as it can also be seen through photographs below:

The Practice:

For the first three days Anapana i.e. mindfulness of breathing is taught and then from the fourth day onward Vipassana is taught. In Vipassana one is taught to observe the sensations (संवेदना) appearing on the body and inside the body and contemplate on the impermanence nature (aniccha) of these by being non judgemental (तटस्थ भाव). The sitting posture has to be any comfortable posture.

Reference of Vipassana in various scriptures and religious teachings of different sects:

Even through Vipassana was primarily tagught by Buddhist monks/ teachers its reference can be found in scriptures and religious teachings of different other sects -

10 day Vipassana practice discourses (pravachans):

It can be accessed on YouTube and a very good motivator -

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJVlVRVmhc4_4WqjBXuWXB_0MQunBEjb (Hindi),

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJVlVRVmhc4Z01fD57jbzycm9I6W054x (English)

Bhawaatu Sab Manglam

(भवतु सब मंगलम)