introduction to vipassana meditation (mahasi method)

Introduction to Vipassana meditation

(Mahasi method)

Course OutlineLesson 1 : Who is Mahasi Sayadaw

What is the Mahasi methodBasic meditation instructions

Lesson 2 : What is Buddhist meditation Group & individual meditation practice

Lesson 3 : Satipatthana Sutta Group meditation practiceGroup & individual meditation practice

Lesson 4 : Chappana Sutta, Malunkyaputta SuttaThe Five HindrancesGroup & individual meditation practice

Lesson 3 : Satipatthana Sutta Group & individual meditation practice

Lesson 4 : Chappana Sutta, Malunkyaputta SuttaGroup & individual meditation practice

Course OutlineLesson 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 practiceIndividual Q & A

Lesson 8 : Hindrances and ImpedimentsIndividual Q & A

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...

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In addition, there are numerous centres located in the USA, Europe and Australia.

America Burma Buddhist AssociationDhammanada Vihara Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Satipanya Buddhist RetreatBodhi Tree Forest Monastery, Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre

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.

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.

Prepared by T Y Lee

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introduction to vipassana meditation (mahasi method)

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