The Origin of Insight Meditation

Abstract

It is easy to get the impression from reading the literature that the principal form \nof meditation current today in Theravada Buddhism is a particular type of \ninsight meditation (vipassanii)-one which is keenly recommended by \nadherents. Meditation practice of this kind has in relatively recent years spread \nfrom Burma to other Southern Buddhist countries and even outside the \ntraditional environment of this form of Buddhism. Today centres and teachers \nfor the practice of insight meditation are to be found in England, Germany, \nIndia, U.S.A., and many other countries. Almost all of these derive ultimately \nfrom Burma, although they are not all of the same branch of Burmese meditation. This method is advocated with great, if not excessive, enthusiasm-perhaps \na single quotation (from the well-known German monk NiiI:lapotPka Mahathera) \nwill suffice: I "This ancient Way of Mindfulness is as practicable today as it was 2,500 \nyears ago. It is as applicable in the lands of the West as in the East; in the \nmidst of life&s;s turmoil as well as in the peace of the monk&s;s cell. \nRight Mindfulness is, in fact, the indispensable basis of Right Living and \nRight Thinking--everywhere, at any time, for everyone."