Vipassana

What is Vipassana

Nowadays Vipassana meditation is mainly practised in Burmese, Ceylonese and Thai temples on the basis of the handed down teachings of Lord Buddha. The Vipassana meditation technique in the courses is passed on in the same way as it is traditionally prctised in the temples in Northern Thailand under the guidance of the Ven. Ajahn Tong (Phrathepsiddhajahn). It is an intensive form of the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition with walking and sitting meditations.
Vipassana is a Pali word which means: Seeing clearly, seeing specially or seeing through (Vi – clearly, specially, into, through + passana – seeing). Vipassana means introspection, intuitive wisdom, intuitive knowledge. Vipassana is often translated as Insight
 

Vipassana is a Pali word which means: Seeing clearly, seeing specially or seeing through (Vi - clearly, specially, into, through + passana - seeing). Vipassana means introspection, intuitive wisdom, intuitive knowledge. Vipassana is often translated as insight.

Seeing what clearly? Insight into what?

Vipassana means seeing through the true nature of reality or Insight into the true nature of reality. It means seeing things as they truely are. Vipassana is the direct and intuitive understanding of the true nature of all mental and physical phenomena.

Vipassana is based on the Four Satipatthana, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. That is to say, Insight is realized by the consistent and progressive application of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness are:

1. Mindfulness of the Body,
2. Mindfulness of Feelings,
3. Mindfulness of the Mind, and
4. Mindfulness of the Mind Objects.

-- Taken from "The Only Way," by Venerable Ajarn Tong Sirimangalo, translated by Kathryn J. Chindaporn and published in Chomtong, Chiangmai, Thailand, 1999.