Question: Are Satipaṭṭhāna and Vipassana the same?
Goenkaji: Exactly the same.
Is it possible to attain nibbāna in this lifetime?
Goenkaji: Yes, it is possible.
What is the role of Sri Lanka in preserving Buddha Dhamma?
Goenkaji: A wonderful role. Sri Lanka held the fourth Saṅgāyana and became an important link in preserving the words of the Buddha. It was all the more important because the teaching was committed to writing here. Pariyatti is very important to keep the purity of Paṭipatti. Now is the time for the Buddha Dhamma to arise again with the help of Vipassana. The bhikkhus have to play an important role in this along with lay people.
Can a householder attain the path and fruit of nibbāna without getting ordained?
Goenkaji: One can if one walks on the path of Dhamma.
Can the practice of mettā alone lead you to nibbāna?
Mettā is good but to reach nibbāna one has to eradicate the anusaya kilesa, which is possible only with the practice of Vipassana.
Nibbāna is freedom from all craving, aversion and ignorance. To attain it, one has to eradicate these defilements.
Why start with Anapana and not Buddhānussati?
For those who already have devotion to Buddha, it may be a beginning but just a beginning. One has to go further and practice Anapana to walk on the path of Dhamma.
What is the importance of sampajañña?
To remain continuously aware of arising, passing of sensations - with equanimity - is very important for the purification of mind.
Some people criticize that Vipassana is only a meditation technique and not the essence of Buddha Dhamma.
What else is the essence of the teaching of the Buddha! The practice of sīla, samādhi and paññā is the complete teaching of the Buddha.
Why are non-Buddhists in the West accepting Vipassana?
Because the nature of the Buddha’s teaching is such that its practice, Vipassana meditation, benefits one and all. There is no conversion involved. One becomes a better human being.
It is believed that Vipassana is very serious and suitable only for monks.
Certainly it is very suitable for monks but it is also essential for householders!
Even at the time of the Buddha, so many householders attained high stages. Of course, it is very easy for monks as they have dedicated their lives to the teaching. They have a great responsibility to progress on the path of Dhamma and to help others on the path of Dhamma.
What is the best way to do Buddha puja?
Goenkaji: The Buddha himself explained on many occasions what is proper Buddha puja (worship of Buddha). Just before his mahāparinibbāna (passing away) when flowers were being showered on him, he said that this is not a proper veneration of the Buddha. He pointed out to two bhikkhus who were meditating seriously at a distance at that time and said that they were venerating the Buddha in the right way.
I practice dāna and sīla to secure a better afterlife. Why meditate?
Dāna and sīla will give you birth in some heavenly realm but it is temporary and you may be born in lower realms again in the future. It is important to eradicate mental impurities to come out of all misery. That is the true teaching of the Buddha. Samādhi and Paññā are essential.
Out of the four satipaṭṭhānas, why do you not give importance to dhammānupassanā and cittānupassanā?
When you become perfect in vedanānupassanā, you automatically become perfect in kāyānupassanā because vedanā (sensations)is part of kāya (body). Even when one is practicing cittānupassanā or dhammānupassanā, vedanā (sensation) plays a very important role. Anything that arises in the citta (mind), which is called dhammā, is bound to manifest as vedanā in the body. The importance of vedanā is the great discovery of the Buddha. So when you become perfect in vedanānupassanā, the other three automatically get strengthened. Vedanā is the essence.
Have you met any sotāpannas or arahants in this lifetime?
Yes, I was very fortunate to be close to an arahant and I met a number of sotāpannas.
How do you convince so many students to take the Triple Gem?
I explain to them that they are taking refuge in the qualities. There is no Buddha now who will liberate them. Even at the time of the Buddha, he only showed the path. One takes refuge in the qualities of the Buddha to get inspiration. The Buddha is the personification of Dhamma—the universal path of total liberation. Refuge in the Sangha is not a refuge in any individual. One takes refuge in the qualities of the saintly Sangha. I don’t aim to convert anyone. Let a Hindu remain a Hindu but let him become a Dhammic Hindu, a Dharmika Hindu, a good Hindu. Similarly, Muslims should become good Muslims, Christians should become good Christians, Sikhs should become good Sikhs, and Buddhists should become good Buddhists.
( from Vipassana Research Institute newsletter Vol 16, No. 7. July 11, 2006)
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On Sayagyi U Goenka's visit to Sri Lanka in 2006:
On the evening of 15 May, 2006, Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, the 150-year old congregation of most respected senior bhikkhus from various monasteries in Sri Lanka, felicitated Acharya Goenkaji and conferred on him the honorary title of Pariyatti Visarada (Master of Doctrine).Text of the honorary citation:
Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagridharma Maha Sangha Sabha
"Hereby it is very solemnly declared that in deep appreciation of the immense and invaluable contribution made to disseminate the Dhamma through very lucid and clear exposition of the original teaching of the Buddha and to bring solace and peace to thousands through the practice of Vipassana meditation by establishing the Vipassana International Academy and over thirty Vipassana Centres in India and around the world. The Supreme Council of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagridharma Maha Sangha Sabha at a specially convened meeting unanimously decided to confer on
Vipassana Acharya S. N. Goenka
THE HONORARY TITLE
Pariyatti Visarada (Master of Doctrine) and this Honorary Title was conferred at a Special Convocation Ceremony held on Fifteenth day of the month of May Two-Thousand and six at the Siri Mangala Uposatha The Most Venerable Bellana Sri Gnanawimala Maha Thera Sri Kalyani Samagridharma Maha Sangha Sabha
Sd
Venerable Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Maha Thera"
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On 17 May, 2006, The President of Sri Lanka felicitated Goenkaji and conferred the title of 'Jina Sasana Sobhana Patipatti Dhaja' (literally the banner of the practice of Dhamma that adorns the sasana of Buddha), on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.
Heads of the Sanghas of various countries and their representatives were present. Goenkaji was requested to give a Dhamma talk. He said that for peace to prevail in a country, the leaders of the country have to walk on the path of sila, samadhi and panna. He expressed his confidence that peace will come soon to this country that has such a long history of Dhamma. Vipassana will help very much in this regard.
(from Vipassana Research Institute note on the 2006 visit)
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In this way, Sri Lanka - the Island of Dhamma - honoured Principal Teacher of Vipassana Sayagyi U Goenka for his exemplary Dhamma service in both theory and practice of Dhamma.
(from Vipassana Research Institute note on the 2006 visit)
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In this way, Sri Lanka - the Island of Dhamma - honoured Principal Teacher of Vipassana Sayagyi U Goenka for his exemplary Dhamma service in both theory and practice of Dhamma.
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