Criticisms of Goenka's Vipassana Meditation Centres

S.N.Goenka's Vipassana Meditation technique, both the principles and philosophy and the rules andpractice , 93, 176);" target="_blank" href="/a/sn-goenkas-vipassana-meditation-techn-que-a252083"rules and practice have come under fire from former students and practitioners, withaccusations of cult-like tendencies and inaccurate information abound.Goenka, His Retreats,Methods and Meditation

S.N. Goenka's methods are to teach via CDs and video in every worldwide retreat. The technique isfrom the outset known to be his unique technique which has been passed down from his own teacherSayagyi U Ba Khin. Goenka's claim is that this particular strand of Vipassana has been passed fromSiddhartha Gotama to the disciples Ashoka the Great (304 BC - 232 BC) the Indian emperor of theMaurya. During his video conferences, he claims that Ashoka sent out his disciples to various partsof the world to teach Buddhism.

Goenka takes this Indian myth one stage further and states that during the 10 day course, one suchdisciple went to Burma and taught Vipassana. It's said that this particular technique was then

passed down through the centuries, without change, to S.N Goenka.

Goenka makes one further claim in reference to another Buddhist myth or prophecy. This mythregards the spread of Buddhism, which some say will occur again 2500 years after the death ofSiddhartha Gotama. Goenka points out that he completed his Vipassana training 2500 years afterthe death of Buddha and preceded to set up the Dhamma centres which have spread worldwide.There is no substantial proof either way whether S.N Goenka had fulfilled any of proactol deals theseprophecies or myths.

Goenka's videos that contain these claims, can be seen at his dhamma centres during the course oryou can buy them from his website.

Goenka's personal approach to teaching the technique does have an impact on the students. Theteachers on the course speak very little and answer only very simple and short questions which aredirectly related to the practice of technique. The students however are unable to question Goenkahimself or have longer questions answered regarding philosophy behind the technique. No otherteacher from the organisation will offer their interpretations.

Contradictions in S.N. Goenka's Statements and Theories

In an interview conducted by Norman Fischer and published in the Shambala newspaper, S.N.Goenka claims to maintain a close relationship with the Dali Lama. However, the facts surroundingthis relationship, and in particular the claim to have taught several of the Dali Lama's monks, havereportedly been denied by the Dali Lama's secretary. Whether or not this is true however, does notdiscount from the meditation itself.

There is also contradiction with Goenka's claim that there is no ritual. The three refuges, theprecepts, request of teaching and the chanting which is not translated, are, in fact, ritualistic.

Accommodation at the Dhamma Centres

The other subject that's come under fire from former students is the difference in accommodation.Simply stated, some rooms at the retreat centre are more comfortable than others. Often, the olderand more professional students are given more comfortable accommodation. Former students haveseen this linked does proactol plus work to the "dana" aspect of the course. "Dana" means"donation."

As the course are all free of charges, the charity is run solely through donations. Whilst this is anadmirable trait, some have complained about rules and practice , 93, 176);" target="_blank"href="http://www.padhana.dhamma.org/padhana_.html"the executive centre that has been built andthat professionals seem to get better treatment in hope of receiving larger donations.

Former students have complained about the management of the retreats. More often than not, thecomplaints surround the rigorous rules. Many have called it a ''bootcamp."

There does seem to be some variance between the centres, some being stricter than others aboutthe rules. It does seem to depend on the centre managers at the retreats. There is a clear hierarchyin place, the older students placed much closer to the teachers. In some forums ex students havealso argued that this represents psychological tricks, to make the new students wish to conform.

Many religious cults have used brainwashing as a method of control, see Amy Sillup, Brainwashingtechniques and cults to learn more. Notably, there exists no conclusive evidence linking Goenka'sretreats to brainwashing techniques.

Additional Sources:

Shambala Newspaper Archives.

European Executive Centre, on Padhana.Dhamma.org. Retrieved July 15, 2010.

Greg Foyer, in an extract proactol discount of his book rules and practice , 93, 176);"target="_blank" href="http://gregfoyster.com/the-meditation-myth/"Meditation Myth, published on5th December 2009.