Satya Narayan Goenka Vipassana

Guru of Vipassana Meditation, Satya Narayan Goenka, was born on January 30, 1924, and passed away on September 29, 2013.

Though Vipassana meditation was practiced by Lord Buddha in India, its popularity is not limited to Indians. In India, a lot of tourists make stops to learn Vipassana meditation. Theravada Buddhism is the source of this meditation technique, even though the course is free of religious lectures.

In the 1970s, S.N. Goenka, a retired industrialist with Indian ancestry but Burmese birthright, brought Vipassana back to India. The 10-day silent residential course on Vipassana meditation concentrates on breathing and body sensations.  yoga school in rishikesh Since the days begin at 4:30 a.m., it is not for the timid. In contrast, the accommodation, food, and course are all provided at no cost.

Based on the teachings of the Buddha, mindfulness meditation is becoming increasingly popular as a way for people to lower stress and enhance their general well-being. But mindfulness as it is taught most often offers only a limited, technical perspective that overlooks the other key teachings of the Buddha, especially moral behavior and insight.

Nowadays, S.N. Goenka’s Vipassana meditation technique is taught in over 94 countries at 362 sites, including 225 permanent centers and 137 non-centers. There are 166 permanent centers in Asia, 31 in the Americas, 18 in Europe, 9 in Oceania, and 1 in Africa. The courses are permanently available at most locations and are delivered by hundreds of assistant teachers, course supervisors, and other staff members. Other courses are available for kids and teenagers; some have even been held in American and Indian prisons.

Background of S. N. Goenka

On January 29, 1924, Goenka was born in Burma (now Myanmar) to Indian parents who belonged to the Marwari ethnic group. He was raised in a pious Hindu household. He was a successful businessman in 1955 when he started experiencing severe, agonizing headaches. On the recommendation of a friend and after being unable to obtain medical assistance, he met with Sayagyi U Ba Khin, a Vipassana teacher. He was reluctant at first, but Ba Khin took him in as a student. Goenka studied under him for 14 years after that.

What is the technique of Vipassana meditation?

The mindfulness meditation method known as vipassana has been practiced for thousands of years. It means observing your thoughts and feelings exactly as they are, without judgment or focus. A method that S.N. Goenka teaches has its roots in 300 hour yoga teacher training in rishikesh the teachings of the Buddha and spans over 2.5 millennia. The Buddha taught universal emancipation, or Dhamma, rather than any particular sectarian religion. In the same vein, Mr. Goenka’s approach is completely secular.

His message is therefore widely accepted by people from all backgrounds, faiths, and none at all, and from all over the world. 

The Courses of Vipassana Meditation

• The rigorous schedule of Vipassana Meditation courses involves no evening meal, total silence, a 4 a.m. wake-up call, approximately 12 hours of daily meditation, and a strict ethical code of conduct.
• However, there is a lot of demand for them. Students come back time and time again, with waitlists often forming for even the more challenging 20, 30, and 45-day courses.
• A 10-day course has been completed by hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life, and as demand increases, more centers are being built.
• The lack of fulfillment in contemporary life, the timeless and universal applicability of the Buddha’s teachings, and Goenka’s unique abilities as a skilled, compassionate teacher and a visionary, gifted organizer are the main causes of Vipassana’s amazing global expansion.

Throughout his life, Mr. Goenka was bestowed with a great deal of medals and distinctions, one of which being the 2012 President of India’s esteemed Padma Awards. This is among the highest civilian awards granted by the Indian government.

Satya Narayan Goenka died in September 2013 at the age of 89. He has left behind an enduring legacy: the Vipassana meditation method is now more accessible than ever to people all over the world.

Vipassana Meditation Centers in India

Since all centers use the same instructional audio and video, there is no variation in the course structure. It is been this way for a long time. The setting and facilities, like shared rooms and hot water, are the only things that are different. The 10-day courses are typically offered twice a month throughout the year. Here is a list of some of the top vipassana meditation centers in India:

1. Dhamma Bodhi, Bodh Gaya: If you would like to meditate on the location of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment, go to the Dhamma Bodhi Vipassana meditation center in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
2. Dhamma Pattana, Mumbai: The Dhamma Pattana Vipassana meditation center is part of the impressive Global Pagoda complex, which was constructed in 2009 at the beachside Gorai in Mumbai’s outer northern suburbs.
3. Dhamma Khetta, Hyderabad: Only a few months before the main Vipassana meditation center in Igatpuri, India, opened its doors in 1976, Dhamma Khetta was the country’s first. A holy bodhi tree sapling from Bodh Gaya was planted to mark the occasion.
4. The largest Vipassana meditation center in the world, Dhamma Giri, is located in Igatpuri, Maharashtra, and is managed by the Vipassana Research Institute.
5. Dhamma Thali, Jaipur: With 200 students, Dhamma Thali has the largest capacity after Dhamma Giri in Igatpuri. This center is also one of the country’s oldest.
6. Dhamma Paphulla, Bangalore: Spread across ten acres in Alur village, on the outskirts of Bangalore, Dhamma Paphulla is known as the “Cheerfulness of Truth.”
7. Dhamma Sikhara, Dharamsala: If you are interested in meditating in the fresh air and among towering pine trees while surrounded by mountains, check out the Sikhara Dhamma Vipassana meditation center in Himachal Pradesh.
8. Dhamma Salila, Dehradun: Particularly in the summer, Dhamma Salila is a good alternative to Dhamma Sikhara for those who prefer a mountainous setting.
9. Haryana’s Dhamma Sota is a tranquil campus of whitewashed buildings situated in the Sohna area of the state, just over an hour south of Delhi.
10. Dhamma Pala in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Although Dhamma Pala is not a big Vipassana meditation center, it does have the benefit of being close to the historic Sanchi Stupa.

Is SN Goenka still alive?

SN Goenka does not exist. He died late on September 29, 2013, a Sunday, at his Mumbai residence.

Who is the founder of Vipassana?

The Satya Narayan Goenka founded Vipassana. In India, he is regarded as the founder of Vipassana meditation.

Who is Mr. Goenka?

Mr. Goenka, also known as Satya Narayana Goenka, was an Indian instructor of Vipassana meditation. He was the most important person in the globalization of vipassana meditation. Born in Burma to an Indian business family, he relocated to India in 1969 and started teaching meditation.

CONCLUSION:

The foundation of the Vipassana practice is the concept of focusing one’s attention on the body’s surface and calmly observing sensations as you grow more conscious of how constantly they change. The Vipassana Research Institute was founded in Igatpuri by S.N. Goenka to research and improve the method. This organization conducts research and publishes regularly. Mr. Goenka never charged a fee for the course, claiming that this was a policy intended to spread knowledge and its benefits to everyone, not to turn it into a luxury that could only be afforded and supported by the affluent. He also worked to eradicate sectarian divisions stemming from flimsy ideological distinctions because he felt that there were multiple paths to the truth.

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