Paper for Mahabodhi, Varanasi to Bimlendra

VIPASSANA; WHAT TO SEE, WHEN TO SEE, HOW TO SEE

Buddhism advocates leading the life of high moral ethics with righteousness. For this there is several
meditation techniques are suggested in Tipitakas. Vipassana is also known as one of the best
meditation technique that purifies our consciousness and helps us to lead a pious life full of high
moral ethics. Some Buddhist scholars who are fond of Vipassana also claim that it is the Vipassana
that can make us understand the actual meaning of Buddhist seminal teachings.
As everybody aware that the mind is the forerunner among all of our limbs and whatever we
perceives or act depend upon the status of our mind. If our mind is polluted with the three
defilements (Attachment, Greed and delusion), suffering is bound to follow; it is supported in
Dhammapada in Yamakavaga verse no. 1 and 2 as below:
,
,
,
Similarly if our mind is free from delusion and filled with joy and pleasure (represented by four
Brahmaviharas namely, Friendliness, Joy, compassion and indifference) then we perceive and act
with pleasant mind and as a result of this, the happiness follows as the shadow of the person. It is
also supported in the succeeding verse as follow:-
,
,
,
Now the question is not only to know how to be free from defilements and adorned with the
Brahmaviharas but also that after being free from defilements and adorned with Brahmaviharas,
what to do. In other words what should be our goal? The answer to this very question is also given in
Dhammapada as in verse no 183 while deliberating upon the crux of the Buddhist teaching in
simplest words as follow:-
,
,
The above verse provides the seminal teachings regarding Vipassana, the king of all meditation. The
verse itself has four parts. The first part i.e. describes the first of three parts of
Vipassana, the second part denotes the second of three parts of Vipassana and the
third let us know about the third and final part of Vipassana. Lets have a look upon the
three parts of Vipassana. These are:-
i. The preparation or the exercises need to complete before doing Vipassana i.e pre-
Vipassana exercises.
ii. The conditioned exercises needed to be undertaken i.e. Anapaa etc.
iii. The Vipassana itself
Now to understand the Vipassana meditation fully, we have to understand the teachings associated
with Vipassana as envisaged in the above verse number 183.
The Eightfold path
The primal and formal aim of every practitioner of Vipassana meditation is to realise and follow the
eightfold path. The eightfold path as we all very well know is divided into three sub categories
namely, Morality, meditation and wisdom. Under morality the trio of Right speech (vaca), right
action (kammanta) and right livelihood (Ajiva) are covered. In the category of Meditation, right effort
(vayama), right mindfulness (sati) and right concentration (samadhi) are grouped. Lastly under the
category of wisdom, right view (ditthi) and right intention (sankappa, aspiration) are packed.