Introduction to Vipassana meditation (Mahasi method)

1. Introduction to Vipassana meditation(Mahasi method)

2. Course Outline Lesson 1 : Who is Mahasi Sayadaw What is the Mahasi method Basic meditation instructions Lesson 2 : What is Buddhist meditation Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 3 : Satipatthana Sutta Group meditation practice Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 4 : Chappana Sutta, Malunkyaputta Sutta The Five Hindrances Group & individual meditation practice

3. Course Outline Lesson 1 : Who is Mahasi Sayadaw What is the Mahasi method Basic meditation instructions Lesson 2 : What is Buddhist meditation Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 3 : Satipatthana Sutta Group meditation practice Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 4 : Chappana Sutta, Malunkyaputta Sutta The Five Hindrances Group & individual meditation practice

4. Course Outline Lesson 1 : Who is Mahasi Sayadaw What is the Mahasi method Basic meditation instructions Lesson 2 : What is Buddhist meditation Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 3 : Satipatthana Sutta Group meditation practice Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 4 : Chappana Sutta, Malunkyaputta Sutta The Five Hindrances Group & individual meditation practice

5. Course Outline Lesson 1 : Who is Mahasi Sayadaw What is the Mahasi method Basic meditation instructions Lesson 2 : What is Buddhist meditation Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 3 : Satipatthana Sutta Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 4 : Chappana Sutta, Malunkyaputta Sutta The Five Hindrances Group & individual meditation practice

6. Course Outline Lesson 1 : Who is Mahasi Sayadaw What is the Mahasi method Basic meditation instructions Lesson 2 : What is Buddhist meditation Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 3 : Satipatthana Sutta Group & individual meditation practice Lesson 4 : Chappana Sutta, Malunkyaputta Sutta Group & individual meditation practice

7. Course Outline Lesson 5 : Four Brahma Viharas & Metta Sutta Metta meditation Individual Q & A Lesson 6 : Samatha and Vipassana meditation – Their differences and equal importance Individual Q & A Lesson 7 : Modern applications of Mindfulness 32 Parts of the Body contemplation Individual Q & A Lesson 8 : Group & individual meditation practice Individual Q & A

8. Course Outline Lesson 5 : Four Brahma Viharas & Metta Sutta Metta meditation Individual Q & A Lesson 6 : Samatha and Vipassana meditation – Their differences and equal importance Individual Q & A Lesson 7 : Modern applications of Mindfulness 32 Parts of the Body contemplation Individual Q & A Lesson 8 : Group & individual meditation practice Individual Q & A

9. Course Outline Lesson 5 : Four Brahma Viharas & Metta Sutta Metta meditation Individual Q & A Lesson 6 : Samatha and Vipassana meditation – Their differences and equal importance Individual Q & A Lesson 7 : Modern applications of Mindfulness 32 Parts of the Body contemplation Individual Q & A Lesson 8 : Group & individual meditation practice Individual Q & A

10. Course Outline Lesson 5 : Four Brahma Viharas & Metta Sutta Metta meditation Individual Q & A Lesson 6 : Samatha and Vipassana meditation – Their differences and equal importance Individual Q & A Lesson 7 : Modern applications of Mindfulness 32 Parts of the Body contemplation Individual Q & A Lesson 8 : Hindrances and Impediments Individual Q & A

11. Background to the Mahasi method There are many types of Buddhist meditation techniques with different methods used by different teachers. Examples of such techniques are visualizations of the Buddha or various deities, meditation on the chakras, meditation with mantras, meditation on the breath, etc...

12. Background to the Mahasi method There are many types of Buddhist meditation techniques with different methods used by different teachers. Examples of such techniques are visualizations of the Buddha or various deities, meditation on the chakras, meditation with mantras, meditation on the breath, etc...

13. Background to the Mahasi method However, the most successful and widespread techniques of recent times is the method taught by Mahasi Sayadaw. This method is based on the teachings of the Satipatthana Sutta, one of the most important teachings of the Buddha. It uses the breath as the meditation object centred on the abdomen, as well as techniques for all the four postures.

14. Background to the Mahasi method However, the most successful and widespread techniques of recent times is the method taught by Mahasi Sayadaw. This method is based on the teachings of the Satipatthana Sutta, one of the most important teachings of the Buddha. It uses the breath as the meditation object centred on the abdomen, as well as techniques for all the four postures.

15. Background to the Mahasi method However, the most successful and widespread techniques of recent times is the method taught by Mahasi Sayadaw. This method is based on the teachings of the Satipatthana Sutta, one of the most important teachings of the Buddha. It uses the breath as the meditation object centred on the abdomen, as well as techniques for all the four postures.

17. Background to the Mahasi method The late Mahasi Sayadaw was born in 1904 in upper Burma, north of Mandalay. He studied the Buddhist scriptures before taking up meditation practice under the guidance of Mingun Sayadaw. Mingun Sayadaw was a pioneer in the revival of Vipassana (Insight) meditation in Burma, and in particular the movement to teach Vipassana to lay people.

18. Background to the Mahasi method The late Mahasi Sayadaw was born in 1904 in upper Burma, north of Mandalay. He studied the Buddhist scriptures before taking up meditation practice under the guidance of Mingun Sayadaw. Mingun Sayadaw was a pioneer in the revival of Vipassana (Insight) meditation in Burma, and in particular the movement to teach Vipassana to lay people.

19. Background to the Mahasi method After completing his training, Mahasi Sayadaw returned to his home monastery to teach. When Burma became independent in 1948 the new government sponsored a revival of Buddhism. Mahasi Sayadaw was invited to be in charge of a new meditation centre in Rangoon which was developed to teach meditation practice to large numbers of lay people.

20. Background to the Mahasi method After completing his training, Mahasi Sayadaw returned to his home monastery to teach. When Burma became independent in 1948 the new government sponsored a revival of Buddhism. Mahasi Sayadaw was invited to be in charge of a new meditation centre in Rangoon which was developed to teach meditation practice to large numbers of lay people.

22. Background to the Mahasi method This was an innovation, as in traditional Buddhist societies meditation is generally practiced only by the monks. The meditation method associated with Mahasi Sayadaw is a Vipassana (Insight meditation) method, designed specifically to allow lay people in the modern world to attain the experience of Nibbana.

23. Background to the Mahasi method This was an innovation, as in traditional Buddhist societies meditation is generally practiced only by the monks. The meditation method associated with Mahasi Sayadaw is a Vipassana (Insight meditation) method, designed specifically to allow lay people in the modern world to attain the experience of Nibbana.

24. Background to the Mahasi method At the historic Sixth Buddhist Council, on in 1954, Mahasi Sayadaw played an eminent role, undertaking the tasks of Final Editor and Questioner. In the editing of this commentarial literature, he was responsible for making a critical analysis, sound interpretation, and skilful reconciliation of several crucial, but divergent passages.

25. Background to the Mahasi method At the historic Sixth Buddhist Council, on in 1954, Mahasi Sayadaw played an eminent role, undertaking the tasks of Final Editor and Questioner. In the editing of this commentarial literature, he was responsible for making a critical analysis, sound interpretation, and skilful reconciliation of several crucial, but divergent passages.

27. Background to the Mahasi method Subsequently and at the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, a special mission headed by Sayadaw U Sujata, an eminent deputy of Mahasi Sayadaw, went there in 1955. The mission stayed for over a year setting up twelve permanent and seventeen temporary meditation centres.

28. Background to the Mahasi method Subsequently and at the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, a special mission headed by Sayadaw U Sujata, an eminent deputy of Mahasi Sayadaw, went there in 1955. The mission stayed for over a year setting up twelve permanent and seventeen temporary meditation centres.

29. Background to the Mahasi method Following the completion of a meditation centre on a site granted by the Sri Lankan Government, a larger mission led by Mahasi Sayadaw left for Sri Lanka. This historic visit of the Burmese mission under the leadership of Mahasi Sayadaw led to a revival of interest in meditation in Sri Lanka, which had drastically declined.

30. Background to the Mahasi method Following the completion of a meditation centre on a site granted by the Sri Lankan Government, a larger mission led by Mahasi Sayadaw left for Sri Lanka. This historic visit of the Burmese mission under the leadership of Mahasi Sayadaw led to a revival of interest in meditation in Sri Lanka, which had drastically declined.

31. Background to the Mahasi method In 1952, at the request of the Thai Minister for Sangha Affairs, Mahasi Sayadaw sent two deputies for the promotion of Vipassana meditation in Thailand, which was no longer widely practiced. Thanks to their efforts, the Mahasi method gained wide acceptance in Thailand. By 1960, many meditation centres had been established and the number of Mahasi meditators exceeded a hundred thousand.

32. Background to the Mahasi method In 1952, at the request of the Thai Minister for Sangha Affairs, Mahasi Sayadaw sent two deputies for the promotion of Vipassana meditation in Thailand, which was no longer widely practiced. Thanks to their efforts, the Mahasi method gained wide acceptance in Thailand. By 1960, many meditation centres had been established and the number of Mahasi meditators exceeded a hundred thousand.

33. Background to the Mahasi method The Mahasi Centre, now teaches thousands of students every year and has over 300 branch centres inside and outside Burma. It remains one of the most important meditation centres in the world today, and the source of one of the most influential meditation lineages in Theravada Buddhism.

34. Background to the Mahasi method The Mahasi Centre, now teaches thousands of students every year and has over 300 branch centres inside and outside Burma. It remains one of the most important meditation centres in the world today, and the source of one of the most influential meditation lineages in Theravada Buddhism.

35. Background to the Mahasi method Among the centres promoting the Mahasi method are the huge Panditarama and Kanduboda meditation centres in Burma and Sri Lanka respectively. In Malaysia, there are the Lunas Hermitage, the Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre, and Ven. Aggacitta of the Sasanarakha Buddhist Sanctuary was ordained at the Mahasi Meditation Centre in Yangon, Burma.

36. Background to the Mahasi method Among the centres promoting the Mahasi method are the huge Panditarama and Kanduboda meditation centres in Burma and Sri Lanka respectively. In Malaysia, there are the Lunas Hermitage, the Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre, and Ven. Aggacitta of the Sasanarakha Buddhist Sanctuary was ordained at the Mahasi Meditation Centre in Yangon, Burma.

37. Background to the Mahasi method In addition, there are numerous centres located in the USA, Europe and Australia. America Burma Buddhist AssociationDhammanada Vihara Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Satipanya Buddhist Retreat Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery, Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre

38. Background to the Mahasi method In addition, there are numerous centres located in the USA, Europe and Australia. America Burma Buddhist AssociationDhammanada Vihara Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Satipanya Buddhist Retreat Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery, Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre

39. Background to the Mahasi method In addition, there are numerous centres located in the USA, Europe and Australia. America Burma Buddhist AssociationDhammanada Vihara Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Satipanya Buddhist Retreat Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery, Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre

40. Background to the Mahasi method In addition, there are numerous centres located in the USA, Europe and Australia. America Burma Buddhist AssociationDhammanada Vihara Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Satipanya Buddhist Retreat Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery, Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre

41. Background to the Mahasi method The foremost centre in Singapore teaching the Mahasi method is the Satipatthana Meditation Centre (SMC) located in Sembawang. In Thailand, Wat Mahadhatu, Wat TamaoWat Vivek Asom are among the centres affiliated to the Mahasi Meditation Centre.The most active in conducting courses in the Mahasi Method, is the YBAT group of meditation centres throughout Thailand.

42. Background to the Mahasi method The foremost centre in Singapore teaching the Mahasi method is the Satipatthana Meditation Centre (SMC) located in Sembawang. In Thailand, Wat Mahadhatu, Wat TamaoWat Vivek Asom are among the centres affiliated to the Mahasi Meditation Centre.The most active in conducting courses in the Mahasi Method, is the YBAT group of meditation centres throughout Thailand.

47. Prepared by T Y Lee www.justbegood.net