Vipassana Meditation

From ancient times, man has always been trying to know himself better. In this quest to understand oneself and follow the path to self improvement, various techniques have been discovered, and Vipassana meditation is one of them. Vipassana—one of India’s most ancient meditation techniques, later rediscovered by Gautam Buddha, 2500 years ago—means “to see things as they really are”, and it is a logical process of mental purification through self-observation. However, five centuries after Buddha, this technique was lost from its origin—the Indian Subcontinent. Luckily in Myanmar, Vipassana was preserved by devoted teachers who passed on their knowledge from generation to generation, and it was from Myanmar, this practice came back to its root in India and Nepal, during the 1970s. Ever since then, this technique has gained enormous popularity, both in home and abroad.

To learn this technique it is necessary to take a ten-day residential course under the guidance of a qualified teacher at established Vipassana Center. For the duration of the retreat, students remain within the course site, having no contact with the outside world. For the first three-and-a-half days, students practice Anapana meditation, focusing attention on breathing, and as a preparation for Vipassana, which is practiced for the last six-and-half days. Students receive systematic meditation instructions several times a day, and each day’s progress is explained in taped evening discourses.

Dharmashringa in Kathmandu is one of three Vipassana centers in Nepal where one can enroll in such courses. It is located on the foothills of Shivapuri, about 12 kilometers north of Kathmandu City. Bordered by Shivapuri National reserve, Dharmashringa provides a perfect place to learn the art of Vipassana. It encompasses various buildings which serve for residences, ranging from dormitories to single rooms, two separate dining halls for men & women, and a few meditation halls. The center can comfortably accommodate about 250 people. Nepali-style vegetarian meals are served during courses. Two ten-day courses for beginners are held at Dharmashringa from 1st to 12th and 14th to 25th every month .These courses begin in the evening of the first day and end in the morning of the 12th day.

Before enrolling, however, a student must keep certain things in mind so as to benefit fully from the course. It should be well understood that Vipassana is not a form of philosophical or intellectual entertainment; neither is it a cure for any disease. Vipassana is also not an escape from the problems that we face everyday, nor is it a rite or ritual based on blind faith. Therefore it is advised not to have any unrealistic expectations, like achieving Nirvana, by attending the 10 day course. Vipassana is only a method to understand oneself and bring positive changes in one’s life. It is claimed that those who practice Vipassana remove step by step, the root cause of their sufferings, and steadily emerge to live a happy and productive life. In 1995, a massive course was organized for 1000 prisoners in Tihar, India. The results on the behavior of the prisoners was so overwhelming that similar activities where organized in jails of Rajasthan and Gujarat—other Indian states. Experienced meditators also share the same experience of “transforming lives”.

This method of ‘self-purification’ is nevertheless not easy to achieve. The rules of conduct are very strict and only those who feel that they can honestly and scrupulously follow the discipline should apply for admission. Students should be ready to follow a demanding daily schedule which includes getting up at four in the morning, and practicing about ten hours of sitting meditation. The students are also required to follow noble silence, which means to abstain from any communication with fellow students, neither through speech nor through any physical gestures or eye contact. Men and women are separated and students are also strongly advised not to mix other form of meditation techniques as well as religious ceremonies, such as fasting, while they are learning Vipassana. The technique works on the simple basis that all human beings share the same problems and a technique which can eradicate these problems will have a universal application.

Anyone willing to adhere to the given rules of conduct is admitted for the course. There is no fee charged but willful donations are accepted, as it is through these donations the teaching of Vipassana is continued.

In today’s world, where everyone is seeking peace of mind, Vipassana is an opportunity awaiting all who sincerely wish to make the effort. The effort, however, should not be undermined as there are many people who drop out before the course concludes, unable to endure to the demanding schedule.

More information can be obtained from

Jyoti Bhawan Kantipath, P.O. Box: 12896, Kathmandu
Tel: 4250581, 4223968, Fax: 977-1-4224720
E-mail: info@shringa.dhamma.org  

TOP