The Vipassana Movement includes a number of Theravada Buddhist branches that stress insight (vipassana) into the three marks of existence (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, non-self) as the means of achieving awakening.
Although an active concept of early Buddhism, vipassana was no longer practiced in the Theravada tradition by the 10th century, due to the belief that Buddhism had degenerated to the point where liberation would not be attainable until the coming of the promised Maitreya. However, the idea was reintroduced in the 18th century by a Burmese monk by the name of Medawi, who became the author of the Vipassana manuals.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the actual practice of vipassana meditation was reinvented, using simplified techniques and with an emphasis on bare insight (satipatthana). During this period, the Theravada traditions in Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand were rejuvenated, as a means of retaining traditional Buddhist culture in the face of Western colonialism.
The Burmese practice of Vipassana gained influence in Sri Lanka and Thailand, as well as in Burma, and was spread by Mahasi Sayadaw, a Burmese Theravada monk, who became popular throughout Asia and in the West, and who had studied under U Nārada. The Vipassana tradition spread throughout South and Southeast Asia and into Europe and North America.
Although Zen Buddhism has largely eclipsed Vipassana in many areas, the Vipassana movement continues to have several active sects.
These include the Insight Meditation Society, based in the United States, as well as the New Burmese (Mahasi) Method, the Ledi Lineage, Pa Auk Sayadaw, Mogok Sayadaw, Anagarika Munindra, and Ajahn Tong. Although the Thai Forest Tradition has much in common with the Vipassana movement, we are including it in a parallel category.
The Insight Meditation movement has been a popular form of Buddhist meditation in the United States since the 1980s, after its introduction in a series of courses at Naropa University in 1974. Major branches of Insight Meditation in America are the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
The New Burmese Method of Buddhist meditation is that which was developed by U Nārada, and popularized by Mahasi Sayadaw. After its development in Burma, it spread to Sri Lanka in 1939 and has been influential in the evolution of the Vipassana traditions in the West.
The origins of the Ledi Lineage was in Ledi Sayadaw and others, such as Satya Narayan Goenka, who taught that vipassana techniques were non-sectarian and that there was no need to convert to Buddhism in order to practice the meditation techniques.
Pa Auk Sayadaw is based on Visuddhimagga, a Theravada meditation manual developed in the 5th century. Earth, water, fire, and wind are significant elements in the insight element of Pa Auk Sayadaw.
Named for Mogok Sayadaw (U Vimala), a Burmese monk and meditation master of Theravada Buddhism, Mogok Sayadaw emphasizes the importance of having a right understanding. This method of meditation is largely confined to Burma.
Anagarika Munindra is a method of vipassana meditation developed by Anagarika Shri Munindra, a Bengali teacher of meditation who taught several other notable teachers. As a Buddhist discipline, Anagarika refers to a practicing Buddhist who lives a nomadic life without attachment.
Venerable Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo devoted his life to the practice and teaching of Satipatthana Vipassana Kammatthana, which is insight meditation based on the four foundations of mindfulness. Meditation centers based on his teachings are found throughout Thailand.
Appropriate for this category, or its subcategories, are any of the Buddhist traditions, sects, or movements based on vipassana medication techniques or practice, which may include some that are not covered in this description.
Categories
Insight Meditation |
Recommended Resources
Saraniya Dhamma Meditation Centre
Saraniya is a center for Vipassana meditation, from the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Located in Lancashire, England, directions, and photographs of the facilities are set forth, along with its objectives, meditation retreats, and monastery. Resources include guides and instructions, meditation and Buddhism e-books, audio and video, and an overview of Buddhism in Myanmar. Its board of trustees and monks are recognized.
http://www.saraniya.com/
Grounded in the Buddhist tradition of Theravada, as practiced in Southeast Asia, the Satipanya Buddhist Trust operates retreats dedicated to contemplative living and vipassana insight meditation in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. Its locations, schedule of upcoming retreats, talks, and forums are featured, and retreats may be booked through the site. Links to other Theravada Buddhist sites are included.
https://www.satipanya.org.uk/
Vipassana Dhura Meditation Society
Vipassana meditation comes from the tradition of Theravada Buddhism, which is based on a group of texts known as the Pali Canon, which Theravadans regard as the earliest surviving record of the teachings of the Buddha. General information about the meditation technique, the Buddha, and Buddhism are presented, along with Dhamma talks and e-books, Vipassana audios, and links to additional resources.
http://www.vipassanadhura.com/
Also known as the Insight Meditation Movement, the Vipassana movement is one of a number of branches of Theravada Buddhism. The three characteristics of Insight Meditation, Anicca, Dukkha, and Anatta, are discussed, along with an online meditation course, texts that record and guide to the teachings of the Buddha, an online library of Buddhist teachings, a newsletter, and other resources, including the Pali Canon.
http://www.vipassana.com/
