Grateful Centenary Commemoration

 

The Buddha said that two qualities are rare among humans: kataññutā, that is, gratitude and pubbakāritā, that is, initiative to help others without expecting anything in return. These two qualities are the true yardstick of measuring progress on the path of Dhamma of any person devoted to Dhamma.

Gratitude is more important of the two qualities. Whenever we remember the help given to us by any saintly person and generate gratitude towards him, we naturally feel inclined to give selfless service to live up to that ideal. Thus selfless service is strengthened. Gratitude and selfless service complement and support each other.

We feel grateful towards Myanmar (Burma). The words of the Buddha were preserved for centuries in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos in addition to Myanmar, but the benevolent Vipassana that gives results here-and-now was preserved in a live tradition only in Myanmar. It is natural to have gratitude towards this sacred land. It induces a strong determination to strive to preserve Vipassana and the words of Buddha in their original form for centuries to come.

Sayagyi U Ba Khin is the shining star of the chain of saintly teachers who preserved Vipassana from generation to generation over the millennia. We naturally have infinite gratitude towards him. It is because of him that hundreds of thousands of meditators across the world are benefiting from Vipassana. It was his compassionate resolution that the technique of Vipassana, which India had lost for almost two millennia, should return to India, get established there and then spread to the rest of the world for the benefit of many. The feeling of gratitude among those who have benefited from this technique will give them a strong sense of commitment to do everything possible for the spread of Vipassana all over the world so that millions and millions of people get benefits. They will also feel that it is their conscientious duty to preserve the purity of the technique for centuries to come. There are now, and there will be in future, some ungrateful and depraved people who, having taken just a few steps in Vipassana, make it a means of their livelihood and who corrupt it to strengthen the sectarian fetters of their sects. But those who remain steadfast in Dhamma with gratitude in their heart will not alter the technique even slightly. They will never make it a profession to earn livelihood and certainly will not perform the evil act of making it a tool to promote a particular sect. They will never allow a blemish on the glory that Dhamma is kevalaparipuṇṇaṃ-parisuddhaṃ (so pure that there is nothing to remove, so complete that nothing needs to be added) and beneficial to one and all irrespective of caste and creed.

The auspicious centenary year of this outstanding saint of our era is of great significance. India is entering the new millennium with newly rediscovered Vipassana that she and the rest of the world had lost for centuries. When we see how so many diverse sects and traditions have accepted Vipassana in the last three decades, it does not seem an exaggeration to say that the next millennium will doubtless be the Vipassana millennium.

It is an inspiring coincidence that the Vipassana millennium will start with the commemoration of the birth centenary year of Sayagyi. This Dhamma festival will be celebrated on the sacred land of Myanmar at Dhamma Joti Vipassana Centre in Yangon from 9 to 11 January.

We will salute the Dhamma land of Myanmar and will pay a grateful tribute to the sacred memory of our great teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Hundreds of meditators, from all over the world, are showing eager enthusiasm to take part in this historic pilgrimage.

We will return from this commemoration soaked in the infinite mettā of our revered teacher Sayagyi. We will return with the firm resolve to complete the benevolent tasks we have undertaken to mark the centenary year of Sayagyi and will certainly complete these tasks.

1. Establishment of Sayagyi U Ba Khin Village near Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri to provide an ideal peaceful atmosphere for serious meditators to live in.

2. Establishment of Dhamma Tapovana, near Dhamma Giri, to provide facility for serious long courses of 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days’ duration.

3. Establishment of an international university near Dhamma Giri to give a worldwide impetus to the work of research in ancient literature related to Vipassana. In this university Pāli, Prakrit, Sanskrit, Hindi and other Indian languages as well as foreign languages such as Myanmar, Sinhalese, Thai, Cambodian, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Tibetan and Mongolian will be studied.

4. And much more important than the above is the construction of the Grand Vipassana Pagoda at Gorai island in Bombay. This memorial will, while respectfully treasuring the authentic relics of the Buddha, declare our gratitude to Sayagyi U Ba Khin and the sacred land of Myanmar for centuries to come. This pagoda will have a meditation hall seating about ten thousand meditators where they can take one-day courses in an atmosphere charged with Dhamma vibrations from the relics of the Buddha. The halls in the semi-circular gallery around the pagoda will display information about the life and the teaching of the Buddha using state of the art audio-visual equipment. Misconceptions about the Buddha and his teaching have spread in India over the last one and a half to two thousand years. The display at the pagoda will help in removing mythological misconceptions. People will learn historical truths. Many will get inspired and will be attracted to the universal technique of Vipassana meditation.

Though the construction project of the Grand Pagoda costing crores of rupees (millions of dollars) seems a daunting task, seeing the unwavering enthusiasm of meditators it does not seem impossible. Just like the historical donation of Jetavana by Sudatta Anathapindika, a devout meditator and his generous family has donated land worth crores of rupees (millions of dollars) for the Grand Pagoda. Meditators are donating Rs 10000 to provide space for a meditator in the Pagoda, and Rs 100,000 to cover the cost of 100 sq. ft. of the structure of the Pagoda with matchless volition. Apart from this, many meditators from abroad are donating thousands and hundreds of thousands in keeping with their devotion and resources. But even more valuable is the donation from the meditators working on daily wages who even while living a life of material poverty are donating their earnings of one day with so much devotion and confidence. Seeing this, one feels certain about completion of the Pagoda symbolizing re-establishment of Vipassana in its motherland.

May we fulfil these wholesome aspirations so that the benevolent technique of Vipassana continues for 2500 years to help suffering humanity come out of suffering! This is how our gratitude will bear fruit and this is how the expression of our gratitude will benefit others! May all beings, all around the world, be happy, be peaceful and be liberated.

Benevolent friend,
S. N. Goenka

Questions & Answers

Question: You say that we should not come to Vipassana to cure a disease. However, we see that many ailing people have found benefit. Why do you discourage this?

Goenkaji: We don’t discourage people from coming out of their illness. But the goal should be very clear: Vipassana is to purify the mind so that the mind is free from all illnesses. If the goal is only to come out of a certain disease, your motivation is wrong and you won’t work properly. All the time your attention will be towards your illness. When your attention is not on the object on which you should be working, you can’t benefit. You will attain neither this nor that. The aim is to come out of all the illnesses of life which make us unhappy. Yes, when the mind is purified, all psychosomatic diseases will have to go, they can’t remain, but we don’t say that physical diseases will also be cured. Some may indeed be cured, but the goal is to purify the mind.

Questioner: I am a college student and I come here for Vipassana meditation. When I go back, my teacher says "You are too young to practise meditation." What should I do in such a situation?

Goenkaji: You are not at fault; your teacher is mistaken. There is a wrong concept in our country that things like meditation should be practised in the fourth, and last period of life. This is wrong. At that time, the body becomes very weak, the mind becomes weak, all the sense organs become weak you cannot practise properly. Actually, yours is the age when one should start practising meditation because it is an art of living. Then through the rest of one’s life this meditation will be so helpful. So continue to meditate whatever your teacher says. Don’t worry.

Sayagyi Centenary Seminar - 9 to 11 January 2000, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)

A Vipassana meditator has a natural feeling of gratitude towards Sayagyi U Ba Khin. He bestowed on us the benevolent jewel of Dhamma for liberation from all misery as taught by Gotama the Buddha.

Sayagyi had an ardent wish out of infinite compassion that the technique of Vipassana should return from Myanmar to India and, after getting established there, spread around the world for the benefit of many, for the welfare of many. Indeed, the technique that he gave to us through our beloved teacher Goenkaji is spreading around the world.

This Seminar organised during the important year of the birth centenary of Sayagyi is an opportunity for us to pay our homage and show our gratitude to this great saint. Our ardent effort on the path of Dhamma is the true homage to this visionary householder saint.

Pariyatti, the words of the Buddha, was preserved diligently in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. But it was only in Myanmar that the actual practice of Dhamma paṭipatti (Vipassana) was preserved in its pristine purity by the Saṅgha. Hence Goenkaji decided to hold the Seminar in Myanmar, the land that protected the Dhamma, although Dhamma Giri has all the required facilities.

It is a matter of great joy that a large number of meditators have shown eagerness to join the Seminar on hearing the news about it.

 

Seminar programme and pilgrimage: The most fitting way to pay homage to Sayagyi is by meditating. The participants will have an opportunity to join Goenkaji in group sittings at Dhamma Joti, at the Shwedagon Pagoda and at Saya Thetgyi’s meditation centre to benefit from the pious atmosphere of those places. Those who wish to stay on for a few more days to visit places in north Myanmar where Bhadant Dhammadassi and Ledi Sayadaw used to meditate can join a tour to visit these places along with other places of Dhamma significance. Those who wish to join the pilgrimage tour in Myanmar should clearly specify this in their application form. There is a return flight from Yangon to Calcutta on 13 January.

Accommodation is limited, hence those interested should send applications at the earliest to <sayagyiseminar@usa.net> or to Premji Savla, Vipassana International Academy, Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri 422403. All applications should be accompanied by passport details.

There are two flights every week on Wednesdays and Saturdays (at 1730 hours) from Calcutta to Yangon by Indian Airlines. The convenient flights to join this seminar are on 5th January and 8th January.

Those who plan to travel from Calcutta to Yangon should register with the Seminar Committee. The ticket costs are as follows:

Calcutta/Yangon/Calcutta – Rs 12,000/- in the name of "Damani (IATA) Shipping Pvt. Ltd." payable at Mumbai by Demand Draft.

Latest information of the Seminar will be available on the V.R.I. website <www.vri.dhamma.org> and at Dhamma Giri.

(In view of the Seminar, the 30-day and 45-day courses at Dhamma Giri will start on 15 January and end on 15 and 29 February respectively. However, those who have made travel plans in advance may leave the course one or two days earlier, if necessary.)

Inspiring Death

Goenkaji’s elder sister, Mrs Durgi Devi Khemka, passed away at the ripe old age of 86. Having learned Vipassana from Sayagyi U Ba Khin, she had been meditating for the last forty years and had taken many long courses. She continued to be peaceful till her death in spite of the severe pain of the advanced cancer. She refused sedatives and pain-killers till the end. Her equanimity in the face of such a severe illness was exemplary. Goenkaji and Mataji were conducting a Satipaṭṭhāna course when she passed away. The family members who were present at the time of her demise were pleasantly surprised how peacefully and happily Durgi Devi-ji breathed her last. Her face shone with a gentle glow that continued till her cremation. The body also retained its warmth till the end. A meditator perfect in the art of living chooses such an ideal death that becomes a source of great inspiration for other meditators.

Sale of Vipassana Books and Cassettes

1. Vipassana Research Institute,
Dhamma Giri, Dist. Nashik, Igatpuri-422 403.
Tel: [91] (02553) 84076; Fax: 84176
E-mail: dhamma@vsnl.com
Website: www.vri.dhamma.org

2. Vipassana for Better Education Project office, Lord Harris Municipal Marathi School, Lokmanya Tilak Marg, Dhobi Talao, Near G. T. Hospital, Mumbai-400-001 (Monday to Friday, 2 to 7 p.m.).
Contact: Mr C. K. Patil or Mr Sunil Ghatde,
Tel: (022) 270 3601.

3. Mrs Amita Parikh, E-1 Asmit, Opp. National Decorators, Bajaj Road, Behind Sonal Apts, Near Rly. Station, Vile Parle (W) Mumbai 400056.
Tel: (022) 612-2226 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 4 to 7 p.m.)

4. Mr Dipchand Shah, B-35 Dalas Bldg, Gyanmandir Road, Dadar (W) Mumbai 400 028.
Tel: (022) 422 8134

5. Dhamma Books, Shop No. 46, 1st floor, Bhosale-Shinde Arcade, Jangli Maharaj Road, Old Nataraj Theatre, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune 411 005.
Tel: (020) 5538539;
e-mail: dhammabooks@t-edge.com

6. Mr Siddharth Bhalerao, Dadasaheb Gaikwad Hall, Andheri (W). Tel: (022) 4163288

7. Mr Sumantlal M. Shah, 13/386-C, Civil Lines, 2nd Floor, Opp. Regional Food Controller Office, Kanpur-208001, U.P.
Tel: Res. (0512) 294222, 293565; Fax: 293565

8. Vipassana Sadhana Samiti, Mohta Bhavan, 533-A, 8 B Road, Sardarpura, Jodhpur-342003.
Tel: 32048, 33260

Pali Workshop

About 100 ATs attended the Pāli workshop at Dhamma Giri for ATs from 6 to 17 September and gained much benefit.

An intensive 6-week Pāli Training Workshop exclusively for non-Indian English-speaking students has been organised at Dhamma Salila, Dehradun Vipassana Centre from 15 February 2000 to 30 March, 2000. Admission is restricted to twenty male and five female students. Preference will be given to non-Indian ATs.

Questions & Answers

Question: What is the definition of sin?

Goenkaji: Whatever defiles our mind is a sin. All vocal or bodily actions which disturb the peace and harmony of others, which harm others, first defile one’s own mind. Only then will one perform unwholesome actions. These are all sinful actions.

Question: Quite often it is necessary to take strong action. But, as you say, this should be done with compassion. On such occasions, if mettā and compassion are not generated, should one then take no action? If so, the wrongdoer could be encouraged. What should be done in such situations?

Goenkaji: Never encourage injustice. One has to oppose injustice, but with the base of mettā and karuṇā. If you oppose someone without this base, don’t justify it. Understand that this was your defect, and the next time any such thing happens you will try to generate mettā and karuṇā, and oppose the injustice with that base. If you keep justifying your mistakes, you cannot rectify yourself.

New Responsibilities 1999

Bhikkhu Teacher
Ven. Dr Rewatadharma, Birmingham, U.K
(The error in the August issue of the Vipassana newsletter is deeply regretted.)

New Appointments 1999

Assistant Teachers
Mr Talakshi Kakka, Chennai
Dr Rohit Savla, Bidada, Kutch
Mrs Kanta Khaddaria, Kurseong
Dr Shih Yu Fen, Taiwan

Children Course Teachers
Mr Dinesh Chandra Gupta, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Ms Saroj Jawde, Dhar, M.P.
Dr (Mrs) Rajni Patil, Nashik

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Edited and published by R. P. Yadav for VRI, Igatpuri 422 403 and printed at Akshar Chitra Press, 69B-Road, Satpur, Nashik 422007.