Jul 17, 2012

Urgent Necessity of Daily Vipassana Practice

Sorrow is caused by defilements in the mind, not by external events...... Daily Vipassana practice brings happiness, by eradicating deep rooted defilements. 
(from the Vipassana Research Institute newsletter, February, 2001.) 

Every Vipassana meditator has to develop strength to face ups and downs in life. For this, it is necessary to practice Vipassana one hour in the morning and evening daily, to meditate together once a week, to take a ten-day course at least once a year. Then we keep progressing in Dhamma.

Householders face many difficulties, many obstacles. What to speak of householders, even those who have renounced household life tell me that they are not able to meditate regularly. But we must not give up in spite of all difficulties; we must meditate daily, morning and evening.

We do physical exercise - walking, yoga, jogging etc - to keep the body healthy and strong. Otherwise, the body becomes weak and diseased. In the same way, it is even more necessary to keep the mind healthy and strong. One should not allow the mind to become weak or diseased.

Vipassana is exercise of the mind. Meditating morning and evening makes the mind strong and healthy. It is not a waste of time. Vipassana practice makes the mind more efficient and strong. We live in a complex and stressful world. If the mind is not strong, we lose balance of mind and become miserable.

 Section of the Dhamma Hall of the Global Vipassana Pagoda that can seat 8,000 Vipassana meditators. This is the largest hollow structure in the world without supporting pillars. 

Those who have received this benevolent teaching of Vipassana but not using it are even more unfortunate than those yet to receive Vipassana. A great misfortune to receive this priceless gem but discard it as if a useless pebble.

Rare it is to be born a human being. A human has the special faculty to become introverted and eradicate mental defilements from the depth of the mind. This work cannot be done by animals, birds, reptiles, insects, or beings in lower planes of existence.

Even a human being cannot purify the mind at its depth if one does not know how to practice Vipassana. One gets a human birth, finds such a wonderful technique, learns to use it, benefits from it, and still discontinues the practice. What a misfortune! A bankrupt person finds a treasure. And he discards it and becomes bankrupt again. A sick person finds medicine, and discards it. A wise person does not make this very foolish mistake.

Sometimes meditators say: "I have stopped meditating. What to do, I am so busy." A poor excuse. We find time to give food to the body, three or four times a day. Or if we suffer some physical injury, we does not say, "Look, I am so busy, I have no time to attend to the wound, to stop the bleeding." Daily Vipassana practice every morning and evening is very necessary, most urgent, to heal the little wounds of blind reactions accumulated during the day. The most important work is to the make the mind healthy and strong. If we forget this, we harm ourselves. We should never make this mistake.

Even if there is too much work, it is all the more necessary to do this exercise of Vipassana. Vipassana practice helps one be free of work-related stress. Without regular daily practice of Vipassana (bare minimum of one hour each, morning and evening), the mind becomes weak. A weak mind makes us miserable because it reverts to its old behaviour pattern of blindly reacting to situations in a wrong way, reacting with craving or aversion.

Let us not be heedless. Let us not be lazy in lack of efforts in Vipassana practice. We are not doing anyone a favour by meditating twice a day. "Our teacher has told us, so we are doing it." You are not doing your teacher a favour; you are doing yourself a favour.

Vipassana is such a beneficial exercise for the mind. When one starts feeling impermanence of sensations in the body, understand the door of liberation has opened. And when one learns to remain equanimous to the impermanent, changing sensations, one has started walking on the path of liberation.

In Vipassana we experience different types of sensations in different parts of the body and maintain equanimity towards them. A wise meditator understands from experience how Vipassana practice benefits in daily life. Every step, each effort bears fruit.

Lack of awareness of sensations takes us on the path of misery. Blind reaction to them out of ignorance results in deep misery - dukkha samudaya gāminī paṭipadā. 

Awareness and equanimity to sensations takes us on the path that leads to liberation from all suffering - dukkha nirodha gāminī paṭipadā.

If we react with craving to pleasant sensations and with aversion to unpleasant sensations, we are on the path of suffering. By observing sensations with equanimity, we are on the path to real happiness. This is the teaching of the Buddha, the enlightenment of the Buddha.

At the time of death, some sensation will arise, and if we are not aware and equanimous, and instead react with aversion, we will go to lower planes of existence. But a good Vipassana meditator who remains equanimous to these sensations at the time of death will go to a favourable plane. This is how we make our own future. Death can come at any time. We do not have an agreement with death that it should come only when we are ready. We are ready whenever it comes.

Vipassana is not an ordinary technique. It is a priceless gem that can liberate us from the cycle of birth and death. Vipassana practice benefits us not only in this life but also in future lives, ultimately leading to full liberation, full enlightenment.

"But I do not have time. I have too much work" - by saying so to avoid daily Vipassana meditation, we delude ourselves making these invalid excuses. Whenever there is sorrow or despair or dullness in daily life due to any reason, Vipassana will help us. Just understand, "At this moment there is sorrow or despair or dullness in my mind," and start observing breath or sensations. The external reason is not important.

Vedanā samosaraṇā sabbe dhammā. Whatever arises in the mind is called Dhamma. A sensation arises in the body with whatever Dhamma arises in the mind: this is the law of nature. The mind and the body are interrelated. When a defilement arises in the mind, along with it some sensation will arise in the body. Whatever sensation arises in the body at that time is connected to the defilement in the mind. This is what the Buddha taught. One understands that there is a defilement in the mind and observes sensation in the body. One practices this thoroughly, not just once or twice, but again and again - every sensation is impermanent. So the defilement that is connected to it is also impermanent, how long will it last? We are observing sensations and also observing how long the defilement lasts. It becomes weak and ceases, like a thief who enters a house, and finding that the master of the house is awake, runs away.

For instance, when anger arises due to any reason, one understands, "At this moment there is anger in the mind. Now let me observe what sensation has arisen in the body." It does not matter what is the external, apparent cause of this anger. One is observing sensation and understanding that it is impermanent. This anger is also impermanent. It would have increased and overpowered one completely. Now it becomes weaker and weaker and passes away.

Vipassana practice brings great benefits. No matter what defilement arises - lust, ego, envy, fear or anything else - one does not get overpowered by it. Now that we have learned how to practice Vipassana, the art of living. All that we have to do is to accept, "this defilement has arisen. Let me face this enemy. Let me see what is happening in my body. It is impermanent, anicca, anicca." The enemy starts getting weaker and runs away.

Defilements will keep arising, for this or that reason. When you fully eradicate all defilements, you become a fully liberated person, an arahant.

Now in ordinary life, one has to face these difficulties of arising defilements. We have found a very effective weapon in the form of observing these sensations. With Vipassana practice, no enemy can overpower us in life, and at the moment of death. We are the master of this moment. Vipassana is the technique for becoming own master of one's life, by becoming master of this moment, from moment to moment.

With Vipassana, we have learned the art of living happily. Sorrow is caused by defilements in the mind. An external event has occurred, we generate a defilement and we become miserable. To the same event, we do not generate a defilement and we do not become miserable. We are responsible for our misery, and our happiness.

Unfavourable external events will continue to occur, and if we are strong and do not generate defilements, our lives will be filled with happiness and peace. We do not harm others; we help ourselves and help others. 

 Practice Vipassana regularly, not just two hours a day but as often as possible, to be happy and peaceful the whole life. All who have received Vipassana should understand that we have received an invaluable jewel. It is our responsibility to make best use of it, for one's own welfare and welfare of all others.

May all beings be happy, be peaceful, be liberated.
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Questions and Answers

My mind still remains immersed in lust, as a result of which the continuity of practice is not maintained. Kindly suggest a way out.

Goenkaji: Fight out your battle. Lust is something that keeps on following you from life to life. It is a very deep saṇkhāra. Whenever lust arises in the mind, don't get involved in the object of the lust. Just accept the fact: lust as lust. "At this moment my mind is full of lust." Accept this, and see what sensation you have. At that moment whatever sensation you are feeling predominantly anywhere in the body, start observing it-understanding anicca, anicca, this is not permanent, this is not permanent. This lust that has come is also not permanent, let me see how long it lasts. If you do this, the lust becomes weaker and weaker and passes away.

Question: Lack of will-power and laziness are obstructing my meditation. Could you kindly give me some advice.

Goenkaji: Develop will-power, strong will-power. If you are so weak that you keep on breaking your decision to meditate every day in the morning and evening, then decide that you won't take your breakfast without having sat for one hour. How many days will you miss your breakfast? You will start practicing daily. And so far as laziness or drowsiness is concerned, just examine yourself. If the laziness is because of lack of sleep, then sleep for some time. Get refreshed. But if you find this laziness is because of your mental impurity, which has become a barrier for you, then fight it out. Have hard breathing for some time, sprinkle some cold water on the eyes, stand up, walk. Somehow or the other, get rid of it.

Sunday Vipassana course, group sitting venues in Mumbai, and India (Please call and check for current status) 
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Jul 7, 2012

Emperor Asoka and Sayagi U Ba Khin

(From Vipassana newsletter dated August 2011. Sayagyi U Ba Khin was the first Accountant General of independent Myanmar and Vipassana teacher.)

Two centuries after the Buddha breathed his last, Asoka became Emperor of Magadha. Driven by overweening ambition, he established a vast empire covering much of India and neighbouring countries. But one kingdom had not been brought under his sway: Kalinga, the modern-day Indian state of Orissa.

Furious at its resistance to him, Asoka attacked Kalinga and subjugated it in a bloody war. Then, after the fighting was over, he saw how many innocent people had been killed and how terrible was the suffering of this once-prosperous land. Heartsick at his own actions, he resolved to abjure the sword.

 It was at this time that Asoka came to know about the teachings of the Buddha and was instantly attracted. He began by studying the words of the Enlightened One. Then someone told him that knowledge of the texts was not enough to give an understanding of the real meaning of the teachings; that can come only through the development of insight, that is, vipassanā-bhāvanā, or Vipassana meditation.

The best place then to learn Vipassana was at Bairath in the state of Rajasthan, where a bhikkhu named Upagupta taught. Handing over power to his subordinates, Asoka set out for Rajasthan. After 300 days he returned to his capital, a changed man. Now his volition was to share the teachings of the Buddha throughout his empire; he had been inspired by ehi passiko, the wholesome wish that others may come and see the Dhamma.

 Printing then was unknown but Asoka was determined to spread the Buddha’s teachings among his subjects. He gave orders to inscribe the core teachings in stone, where everyone could see. This happened little more than two centuries after the Buddha, before his original words had been altered in any way. That is why we see the pure teachings of the Buddha in Asoka’s rock inscriptions.
 
Emperor Asoka, (304-232 BC)
 
More than mere study of the texts or theory (pariyatti), the Buddha gave importance to practice (paṭipatti). That is why the Asoka inscriptions often mention the practice of Vipassana.

The Buddha took no account of religious differences, giving his teaching to all. In many cases, people who started as his staunch opponents became his most fervent supporters once they learned what he taught.

 In ancient India there were two communities, the samaṇas and the brāhmaṇas. The Buddha tried to unite people of all sects in the practice of Dhamma. Similarly, Asoka made no distinction between samaṇas and brāhmaṇas. He gave donations to both and encouraged others to do the same.

 In fact, with the practice of Vipassana, differences between the two communities began to fade and they lived together in harmony. Asoka’s reign saw no communal tension or fighting.

 Asoka tried to interest all communities in Vipassana. Far from being the monopoly of any one group, he showed that Vipassana belongs to all. It is universal.

The Buddha sent forth his disciples, telling each to go in a different direction and offer his pure, non-sectarian teaching. The result was that the Dhamma began to spread far and wide through northern India, bringing happiness to many. People from every major system of belief came in contact with the Buddha’s teachings and changed for the better.

 To bring people of all religious backgrounds to a righteous way of living, Asoka urged them to learn and develop in Vipassana. He appointed male and female teachers, both members of the Sangha and laypeople. All began to teach Vipassana throughout India. In modern times as well, my revered teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin (first Account General of independent Myanmar) taught Vipassana to followers of the Buddha in Myanmar and also to other people of many different backgrounds.

 Asoka decided to establish cetiyas, or memorials to the Buddha, the length and breadth of his empire. Afterwards bhikkhus came to reside at these calm and inspiring sites, which were ideal places for the teaching of the Dhamma.

Out of compassion, Asoka saw that Vipassana was taught to prison inmates so that they might be transformed. In modern times as well, prison inmates in India, Myanmar, the United States and other countries have the opportunity to change their lives through Vipassana.

 Asoka was instrumental in spreading the pure teachings of the Buddha as far afield as Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Europe, although in those countries the memory of the Dhamma faded. The story was different in some Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos: there the Dhamma took root with Asoka’s help and flourishes still today.

 Asoka had the military strength to conquer neighbouring countries and extend the frontiers of his empire. Instead he chose to expand the kingdom of Dhamma, so that people would live a good life. In doing so, he won the hearts of all.

 With the passage of centuries, in some countries the teachings of the Buddha did not remain in the original, authentic form as sent by Asoka. But in Myanmar, people preserved the words of the Buddha and the technique of Vipassana meditation in their pristine purity from generation to generation. At least among a few, the theory and practice were handed on from teacher to pupil in their pure form as sent by Asoka.

In modern times the Venerable Ledi Sayadaw decided to revive the ancient tradition of lay teachers of the Dhamma. There was a common belief that 2,500 years after the time of the Buddha, there would be a resurgence of the Dhamma for another 2,500 years. The time was approaching for that resurgence, when the Buddha’s teachings could be expected to spread rapidly and widely. To prepare for this moment, Ledi Sayadaw trained Saya Thet Gyi and appointed him the first lay teacher of Dhamma. Saya Thet Gyi in turn taught Vipassana to lay people as well as some bhikkhus.

 After Saya Thet Gyi, the next link in the chain of teachers was my own teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin. In him we have a glimpse of both the Buddha and Asoka. In his discourses he spoke at length about pariyatti. But in his courses, the focus was on the practice of Vipassana from morning to evening.



Global Pagoda, Mumbai, India -  built as a mark of infinite gratitude to Sayagyi U Ba Khin

As a teacher, Sayagyi made no distinction between people whatever their background. He never spoke critically of any religious group. Instead he tried to understand the teaching of each group from the view point of Dhamma and to interpret it in light of the words of the Buddha.

Once a well-known writer from the United States, a Christian priest, joined a course with Sayagyi. As usual, the first step was to take refuge in the Triple Gem of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. The American resisted doing this, saying that he was willing instead to take refuge in Jesus.

Sayagyi smiled and said, “Very well, do that. After all, the Buddha is not sitting in the heavens, waiting to fulfil the wishes of those who take refuge in him. The refuge is really in his qualities. Jesus also had many wonderful qualities. Take inspiration from his example and try to emulate him in your life. If you take refuge in Jesus, take refuge in his qualities, not in Jesus as a person.”

This man agreed and began to work. When the course ended, he came to Sayagyi and begged forgiveness for his initial resistance. He had realized that the pure Dhamma transcends all distinctions between religions.

An important principle of this tradition is that no price can be put on the Dhamma because in fact it is priceless. To earn money by teaching the Dhamma is unethical and completely forbidden. If someone wants to earn money, there are endless business opportunities. But the Dhamma is not a commercial commodity, not something for sale. A businessman makes money by his work and becomes rich; but a teacher of the Dhamma must never amass wealth by charging fees for the teaching. Instead, this tradition strictly follows the Buddha’s injunction,

Dhammena na vanaṃ care
Do not make a business of Dhamma.

 Anyone who ignores this injunction teaches not Dhamma but its opposite.

During Asoka’s reign, the Dhamma remained in its purest form. But a small number of priests of other traditions suffered financial losses as the Dhamma spread, and so they were motivated to introduce changes that would contaminate the teaching. As a consequence, the Dhamma lost its pristine purity 2,000 years ago. In truth it was only a small number who were responsible for this decline, and it would be totally wrong to blame an entire community. In every community there are people of pure heart.

My revered teacher fully lived the ideals of Dhamma. He was a senior member of the civil service, where it was commonplace to amass fortunes through fraudulent practices. But Sayagyi was ripened in Dhamma. He worked in this corrupt environment and emerged without any stain on his character.
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