What is Vipassana

By Ven. Phramaha Bhatsakorn Piyobhaso

According to Buddhism, there are two burdens namely Gandha dhura; burden of study, task of learning and Vipassana dhura: the burden of insight development, task of meditation practice. In Buddhism there are two kinds of meditation; the first is Samatha or calmness meditation. Calmness meditation is the way to calm down the mind, it aims at developing concentration. By concentration we mean the unwavering state of mind in which attention is fixed on a single object. In the state of concentration, the mind is feed from five hindrances namely, sensuous desire, ill will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and anxiety and doubt. The elimination of the nindrances set the mind in concentration and this in turn enables one to develop wisdom. As the Buddha said;
When wisdom is supported by concentration,
Its fruit and advantage become great.

The second is Vipassana. Its pratice is concerned with Strengthening and sharpening mindfulness so much that it helps one to develop wisdom, which sees things as they really are. Having realized the truth, one achieves liberation and attains Nirvana.
Unlike calmness meditation, which is practiced in solitude, Vipassana meditation can be practiced in daily life, while one is talking, teaching, walking or working. The Buddha explained the method in detail as follows;
A monk, when walking, knows that he is Walking,
when standing, knows that he is Standing,
when sitting, knows that he is Sitting,
when lying down, knows that he is Lying.
In whatever way his body is disposed, he knows that is how it is.


The International Buddhist Meditation Centre