Vipassana Newsletter International Edition

Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin Vol. 38, No. 2  April 2011 www.vnl.dhamma.org Since 1974

Words of Dhamma “Taṃ kiṃ maññasi, Rāhula, kimatthiyo ādāso”ti? “What do you think, Rāhula? What is a mirror for?” “Paccavekkhaṇattho, Bhante”ti. “For reflecting, Venerable Sir.” “Evameva kho, Rāhula, paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā “In the same way, Rāhula, only after reflecting again kāyena kammaṃ kattabbaṃ, and again should you perform deeds of body, paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā vācāya kammaṃ kattabbaṃ, speech or mind.” paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā manasā kammaṃ kattabbaṃ.” —Instructions to Rāhula at Mango Stone, —Ambalaṭṭhikarāhulovādasutta, Majjhima Nikāya 2.84 Middle Length Discourses 2.84 Note: This is one of the few suttas in which the Buddha is recorded teaching children. In this case he was speaking to his son Rāhula, then 11 years old.

A head start in the Dhamma: Meditation for children

What is the right age to start meditating? Every day Goenkaji would go over to the school to sit with the children, tell stories and explain about the practice of It‟s a question that Goenkaji has often been asked, and his Anapana. answer is usually the same: “Before birth! Then when the child is born, it comes out a Dhamma baby.” That first course was followed by many more, in India and around the world. Meditators enthusiastically stepped forward Not all of us have been fortunate enough to have such an to serve. The format kept evolving, as it continues to do; but early exposure to the Dhamma, or to give our children such the response from participants, parents and teachers has con- an early start. But more than ever, there are opportunities for sistently been positive. children to learn the basics of meditation. And the results are often startling. How a course works A challenge from a disciple of Gandhi Today separate courses welcome children aged 8 to 12 and teens aged 13 to 18. Often the program starts in the morning As long ago as the early 1970s, Goenkaji experimented with teaching meditation to children. Shortly after he left Myan- mar, he met with Vinoba Bhave, a leading disciple of Ma- hatma Gandhi, who was revered throughout India. Goenkaji explained what he was doing. Vinoba Bhave was impressed Contents but he said, “I will believe that this is worthwhile only if you A head start in the Dhamma: Meditation can show that it works with hardened criminals and undisci- plined schoolchildren.” for children ...... 1 Ram Singh remembered...... 5 Goenkaji gladly accepted the challenge. He soon had the opportunity to show that Vipassana works. The first prison European Long-Course Centre marks its first year . 7 courses were organized in Rajasthan and were very success- Dhamma stories ...... 9 ful. Equally positive were the results of Goenkaji‟s efforts to International news ...... 10 teach groups of children. The bookshelf ...... 13 Questions & answers with Goenkaji ...... 13 Despite that, more than a decade passed until the launch of a Grateful commemoration ...... 14 formal meditation program for children. The first course took place in 1986 in a school located in the Mumbai suburb of New appointments and Juhu. It was within walking distance of the Goenka family responsibilities ...... 15 home, and several of Goenkaji‟s grandchildren participated.

and ends in the evening, but there are also two- and three-day Fifteen years ago, a 13-year-old boy from France attended a courses. number of children‟s courses. After one course he wrote, “Meditation is a special moment that a person spends in Conducting the course is a children‟s course teacher, who has quietness far away from noise, far from everything! Particu- undergone special training at a workshop. Along with the larly this tranquility, which we find so rarely in life. Life is teacher are group leaders, each working closely with a small a river that we purify so little except during meditation. It is number of children. sometimes peaceful, sometimes agitated, sometimes Short meditation periods alternate with supervised play and clouded, sometimes dark. The mind is always overloaded activities, such as drawing and discussion. The objective is to with all sorts of thoughts. Meditation is an excellent way of give the participants an enjoyable experience, help them feel taming the wandering mind. It is also a remedy for anger comfortable in a meditation environment and introduce them and melancholy.” to the basics of Anapana. That boy is now an adult, and he and his wife are both serious Often the course site is a Vipassana meditation center but Vipassana meditators. He hopes that his two children will sometimes it is a rented facility. And sometimes courses are attend courses when they are a little older, as first steps along held in schools as a recognized part of the curriculum. the path that he has chosen for himself. How the experience affects participants What‟s happening around the world Parents report that after learning Anapana, their children cope In the last two decades, there have been courses for chil- better with problems, behave better, act less aggressive and dren on six continents. Every year some 60,000 children watch less television. Children say that they use Anapana be- participate. fore school exams and in stressful situations. One boy had resented the time spent by his mother at meditation courses; after he learned Anapana, the resentment gave way to respect and closeness. One schoolteacher received a surprise when she told a ram- bunctious 6-year-old in her class to sit in the corner and “meditate.” She was using the term loosely to mean calm down. But in fact the boy went and sat cross-legged on the floor, with eyes closed. The baffled teacher asked what he was doing. He replied, “I‟m observing my respiration.” After school she checked with the boy‟s parents, who told her about Anapana courses.

What children say about meditation Morning school assembly, India “It‟s funny having a head that moves and not knowing where it‟s going.” In North America there were 30 children‟s or teens‟ courses “Most people think that meditation is really easy, as you held in 2009, more than half of them in non-center locations. sit on the floor doing nothing. But that‟s where they‟re There are also frequent courses in Europe, Australia, New wrong. It‟s one of the hardest things you can do.” Zealand and Southeast Asia. “I wish my older sister could have come.” “I think it really benefits me. I don‟t fight with my brother any more.” “In my life I feel more peaceful and my parents have com- mented on how my attitude has changed.” “If you have a hard time getting to sleep this will help you.” “My mind is kind of like a video, thoughts just playing on and on. Meditating is like pressing the pause button.” “I come to courses because meditation can really help you in your life and it is fun. It can help you control your tem- per and really help you with mostly everything! When I get angry it helps me control what I do, and not hurt anyone or do anything rash.” Dhamma Dīpa, UK

Anapana for children with hearing and speech disabilities For 15 years, Sangeeta Shinde had taught in a school for children with hearing disabilities, in the Indian city of Pune. When she was appointed a children‟s course teacher in 2005, she felt confident that she could explain Anapana to the children she worked with daily. After all, she had plenty of teaching experience and she knew sign language. But there was a problem she hadn‟t thought about: Suppose you have a roomful of children meditating with eyes closed. How do you get them to open their eyes at the end of a session if they cannot hear you? In a flash Sangeeta saw the solution to the problem: Simply turn on the overhead fans. The children would automatically open their eyes to see what was happening, and then she could give them new instructions. This is an example of the practical problems that arise when teaching meditation to hearing-impaired children. And it is also an example of the simple, creative solutions found by Sangeeta and others like her in India.

Some 27 participants, mostly in their upper teens, joined the first course in February 2006 at the local center, Dhamma Punna. It was a one-day session that helped the students get oriented and try out Anapana in a couple of sessions. Later courses have ex- panded on this format. Participants have more time to practice Anapana. They also interact in small groups and learn Metta. They watch videotapes of Goenkaji. In some courses the teacher displayed posterboards with a translation into the local language, Marathi. More recent experiments have involved the use of PowerPoint slides to note important points, while an interpreter provides a complete version in sign language. Efforts are now under way to produce a CD explaining Anapana in sign language. From early 2005 to December 2010, Dhamma Punna offered 19 courses for students with hearing and speech impairments. The courses continue to evolve. But they have proved that the rever- berations of Dhamma can reach children without the physical ability to hear. And the children have shown that they are as re- ceptive as anyone to the Dhamma. Drawing by a participant in a course for hearing- and For a short video about the courses, go to: speech-impaired children, in India. The writing www.children.dhamma.org/en/teachers/courses-special- below says śānta—“peaceful” in Hindi. needs.shtml#Hearing Myanmar has also experimented with courses for children who have hearing and sight disabilities. The results have been impressive. Again, see the children‟s course website.

But India is where the most courses are held, and where the number of participants is largest. Particularly notable are the courses held in schools or with their involvement. What‟s happening around the world In the last two decades, there have been courses for children on six continents. Every year some 60,000 children participate. In North America there were 30 children‟s or teens‟ courses held in 2009, more than half of them in non-center locations. There are also frequent courses in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. But India is where the most courses are held, and where the number of participants is largest. Particularly notable are the Indonesia courses held in schools or with their involvement. Anapana in a school setting were held in 48 Mumbai schools with six different languages of instruction (English, Marathi, Hindi, Telugu, During a six-month period in 2007, more than 120 courses Kannada and Urdu). Of the 9,000 participants, over 8,000 3

New film on Anapana courses for children A new short film has just appeared on Anapana meditation courses for children. Seeds of Awareness documents modern children‟s experiences with Anapana, the course process and its impact. Participants, parents and teachers talk about how Anapana helps in dealing with the pressures of school, family and everyday life. In simple language, they speak about the challenges of Anapana and the benefits: calmness, improved concentration and compassion. The idea for the film emerged in 2008. The aim was to show the relevance of Anapana to young audiences in North America. Meditators came forward with various professional skills to work on different aspects of the film. Other old students donated time, travel miles, talent and effort. Filming took place at three meditation centers as well as participants‟ homes in the United States and Canada. The result is a moving account of how an ancient meditation technique can work today for children and people of any age. Seeds of Awareness is available for free download on the Internet. It may also be purchased on DVD. Requests for translation into Spanish, Russian and Khmer have already come in. To view Seeds of Awareness, click: “It‟s not just focusing on the www.children.dhamma.org/en/videos/seeds.shtml breathing, it‟s a focusing To purchase the DVD, visit the Pariyatti Bookstore at www.pariyatti.org. on the now.” — Kris, age 15

children were 15-year-olds scheduled to write board exams porting an Anapana program in schools. Detailed planning is in April 2008. One aim of the program was to see the impact important to cover all aspects of a course. The schools must of Anapana practice on the students‟ exam results. It turned give their students time to continue practicing daily after an out that the percentage of students who passed the board ex- Anapana course. And on an ongoing basis, it is vital to de- ams was higher than it had been in many years. velop Dhamma workers to serve on such courses.

South Africa Philadelphia, USA The meditation program was suspended in 2008 and 2009, Other countries that have held courses involving schools in- but it resumed on a smaller scale in 2010. This time the clude Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Australia, courses were centralized in a few larger schools, to which the Germany and Britain. students were bused. Over a three-month period, approximately 2,900 children attended a total of 33 courses. Regular daily practice is the key to long-term benefits. Schools that have tried just five to 10 minutes of Anapana The experiment taught several important lessons: First, ad- per day have had impressive results. Studies of the partici- ministrators and schoolteachers need to be committed to sup- pants found significant increases in self-discipline, honesty,

Mexico South Africa Anapana courses from a participant‟s viewpoint by Dr. Nwei Lei Ko Ko I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn Dhamma at the age of 8 directly from Goenkaji, when he gave Anapana instructions to children at Dhamma Joti in Yangon, Myan- mar. He spoke with us in our language, and we were happy to learn from him. I attended almost all the children‟s Anapana courses held at Dhamma Joti to the age of 16. More recently, I have started sitting 10-day Vipassana courses. Anapana has helped me to concentrate on my studies and my work. I am now 23 years old and have qualified as a physician. The medical profession is very hard work but I like to help sick people. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Tamil orphans) I am very thankful to Goenkaji for giving me the seed of Anapana when I was a child. Regular practice is the way to cooperation, attentiveness, cleanliness and concentration. At water this seed so that it will grow into a tree rich in the same time there were decreases in irritability, quarreling, Dhamma fruits. With this art of living, I am convinced that I use of abusive language and feelings of inferiority. will be able to lead a worthy life, walking step by step along the Noble Path to liberation from all suffering. Application to special groups

India has also experimented with courses for autistic children, homeless children, orphans, children with hearing and speech impairments, and children with physical and mental disabilities. In Pune, for example, a home for destitute children has offered Anapana courses for the last 10 years to its 400-plus residents. Some children have gone on to learn Vi- passana in longer courses. Daily meditation has immensely improved their self-confidence. Again in Pune, the local Vi- passana center has hosted repeated courses for children with hearing and speech impairments. (See “Anapana for children with hearing and speech disabilities.”) In Myanmar, there have been courses for children with visual or hearing impairments, children affected by leprosy, and juvenile offenders in various institutions. In the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, old students organized a visit to southern Myanmar to offer physical assistance as well as Myanmar children‟s course Anapana courses; about 1,500 children participated within a few weeks.

A technique for today served carriages. One was a second-class sleeping carriage; the other was a kitchen used by a team of cooks from the Children today are growing up in a fractured and rapidly staff at Dhamma Giri. This, it was thought, would be ade- changing world. They need help to meet the challenges facing quate accommodation. But in the end the number of partici- them and to develop their full potential. Anapana courses can pants was larger than expected and there were not enough help them find a way to live peacefully and productively, and berths for everyone. Ram Singh was one of those who vol- to make the society in which we live more peaceful. In the unteered to sleep on the floor of the kitchen carriage, along words of Goenkaji, “They should grow up to be ideal human with the cooks. Another volunteer was N.H. Parikh, like beings. That is our only aim.” him one of the first assistant teachers and an equally out- For more information about Anapana courses for children, go standing personality. to: www.children.dhamma.org Ram Singh remembered In our January issue we reported that Shri Ram Singh Chau- han passed away last December. Ram Singh was one of the first assistant teachers appointed in 1981, and one of the first two ācariyas (full teachers) in 1994. As a senior civil servant in the government of the Indian state of Rajasthan, he was instrumental in organizing the very first prison course in 1975. That course in turn led directly to the establishment of the Jaipur center, Dhamma Thalī, which Ram Singh supervised for many years. When the Vipassana program started at Tihar Prison in Delhi, it was Ram Singh who conducted the first courses. He also traveled all over India and to Western countries, where he and his wife Jagdish Kumari were always warmly welcomed. He became an elder figure, to whom Goenkaji entrusted great responsibility. At the same time people readily turned to him for advice and guidance. Ram Singh, February 1989 In the prominent role conferred on him, Ram Singh always emphasized the rational, logical nature of Vipassana. He well At one time Goenkaji asked Ram Singh to try to improve the understood the tendency to develop a sect or cult, and he did management of Dhamma Giri. For this task Ram Singh drew his best to discourage this as well as excessive displays of on his many years of training in the Indian Civil Service. But devotion. He led by example, always acting humbly, and the way he set about the job also showed his own unique treating everyone with kindness and courtesy. To many he character. He decided to interview everyone to get their sug- served as a mentor, listening patiently to their problems and gestions. He spoke with the teachers and the long-term serv- giving the encouragement they needed. When he saw people ers involved in management. Along with that he invited ideas with particular talent, he sought to give them opportunities to from the office boys, the kitchen staff, and the women who make use of their abilities. For many years he served as a cleaned the toilets and swept the gardens. He listened to all close adviser to Goenkaji; he could be counted on for his im- with the same careful, compassionate attention and tried to partiality and clear understanding. solve whatever problems they reported to him. By acknowl- But while authority came naturally to Ram Singh, he was not edging the contribution of each person, he made all feel they in any way an authoritarian figure. Instead, more than any- had a stake in the effort to bring Dhamma Giri closer to the thing he exemplified modesty and sweetness—the sweetness ideal for a meditation center. of the Dhamma. He was unpretentious, quick to joke and In India it is customary to show great outward respect to any- laugh, quicker still to help or comfort anyone in need. He was one in a senior position. A Dhamma worker recalls that Ram gentle and lovable. Singh once requested not to be greeted with bows. “But why Many tributaries add to the flow of a long and rich life. Ram not, sir?” the worker asked. Ram Singh replied, “If newer Singh once recalled the very first, his mother. He remem- students see you greeting me like this, they will think that bered her as a pious, simple person who was content with they should greet you in the same way. Is that what you very little. As he recalled, her entire wardrobe consisted of would like?” “No, sir, I don‟t want people to bow to me.” only two or three saris. She wanted no more; this was enough “Very well, then, you stop doing it to me!” for all her needs. Clearly, she passed on that simplicity to her In the following excerpt from an interview, Ram Singh talks son. of how Goenkaji bore the difficulties uncomplainingly on the Early in 1982, Goenkaji led a large number of his students very first prison course in 1975. He does not mention that he on a pilgrimage to the sites associated with the life of the himself acted in exactly the same way when he conducted the Buddha. The group traveled by train, in two specially re- first course at Tihar. He refused to be accommodated sepa-

6 rately from the inmates; he insisted on living as they lived. me 10 days‟ leave.” I had a very important assignment; I was This meant staying in a freezing cold room without glazed Home Secretary at that time. But the friend was so insistent windows and without sufficient bedding. At the time, Ram that he prevailed ultimately on me, and then I agreed. I joined Singh was over the age of 70. A few years later, Ram Singh the course. inadvertently mentioned these difficulties in the hearing of Kiran Bedi, head of the prison. She was shocked and ex- After the course I talked to Goenkaji, when he was leaving claimed, “How can I forgive myself?” for home, about the possibility of doing a prison course. And he said yes, he is prepared to come if we could arrange a Interview with Shri Ram Singh, May 15, 1999 course. And so the first course came. That was in October 1975, in the Central Jail in Jaipur. RS: My first course was in 1975 in Jaipur, at a big stadium. It was what we called a gypsy camp. Q: I think that someone had already challenged him to pro- vide a course for hardened criminals? As usual, the first day was very difficult. In the evening, my wife and I met at teatime and we decided we should leave the RS: Yes, because that was the most difficult area. And if Vi- course. We thought that I should telephone my son, who passana could make an impact on prisoners, it would make a would bring the car at 9:00 p.m. and we would go away. We big impact on society as a whole. So he accepted. And for me met at 9:00, but after the discourse we felt that we should it was a challenge in the sense that if we could organize a give it a trial for one day more. Of course, there was not course in the jail, it would be a big breakthrough. So this is much impact from the training of the one day. The next day how it came up. He and Mataji both came. We didn‟t know we worked for the whole day, and that evening we again met much about how to organize a course, but still we tried our and we decided that we should give it a trial. And so we best. And he was put in the dispensary of the jail, where the stayed on. In that course, I found a new way. I was at that prisoners were treated. It was a very difficult area and later I time working for the Government of Rajasthan, as Home Sec- learned that he passed through great agony there and almost retary to the government, and I thought that things could be the whole night he couldn‟t sleep. But every time I found him solved through this technique. At that time, and at any time, very cheerful and happy, and he never made a single com- law and order was a big problem—the commission of crimes plaint about his stay. This is how the course went on. and disorder all over the world. Much in India and in Rajast- Q: What was the meditation hall? han. I thought that if we tried to introduce this technique, some solution could be found. So we thought that we should RS: A place where prisoners used to gather to receive instruc- have the first course in prison, mostly for this area. tions. The course was a makeshift arrangement and the hall was also makeshift. Q: Straight after your first course? Q: When Goenkaji asked you to be an assistant teacher, did RS: Yes. I talked to Goenkaji and he immediately agreed that you travel to other parts of India or were your courses mainly we could try. This is how the first jail course happened in in Jaipur? 1975. We attended the course in April and the first jail course came in October. And it was a very successful course, but RS: Here and in other parts of India also. I will mention that very difficult. when I heard about my appointment as an assistant teacher, it was a shock because I considered myself not fit at that time. Q: The gentleman who told you about the course, was that And I will tell you in private, even today, I don‟t feel fit to be how people usually heard about it? Was there any publicity a teacher. Goenka is the only teacher. I see his qualities and I about Vipassana or did people learn about it just by word of don‟t have those qualities. So I feel a little embarrassed but mouth? since I am here, I do my work. I do my job. But always I RS: Initially, just by word of mouth. The person who had at- have the feeling that we still have a long way to go and we tended the course earlier was a very close friend of our fam- don‟t come up to the expectations of our teachers. That is ily. He found the course very useful and he felt that the trou- what I feel. ble with my wife‟s migraine could find a solution. So he sug- gested that we should give it a trial. But as I mentioned ear- European Long-Course Centre lier, I was very skeptical about the meditation process. marks its first year Q: Did you feel that it was something to do with religion? One year ago, Dhamma Padhāna opened its doors for a first RS: Yes. And I also thought that it might be just a belief, a course. This was an important milestone in the establishment story. It might not be true. But our friend was very insistent of the first center dedicated to long courses in Europe or any- so I said that my wife could go, and she agreed. But she made where else outside India. In the past year, 726 students have the condition that I should also go. That was the most diffi- attended 18 old student courses at the center, located next cult part! door to Dhamma Dīpa in the UK. Q: To get the time off work? Goenkaji named the center “Dhamma Padhāna,” which means “Foremost in Dhamma,” “Energetic in Dhamma” or RS: Time, and I had not much belief in it. And I was in gov- “Striving in Dhamma.” His vision was to have an ideal facil- ernment and I could not say, “I am going for meditation, give ity for serious meditation at a single site in Europe. This

Before construction started, in September 2008 Dhamma Dīpa hosted a Satipatthana Sutta course dedicated to the long -course center. This was the largest residential Vipassana course ever held in Europe, with over 200 meditators and servers from 21 countries participating. Dhamma Dīpa‟s new dining rooms came into use for the first time and its old kitchen was adapted to cater for the large number of meditators. Small tent villages were erected, complete with tempo- rary toilets and showers. After weeks of rain, the weather turned clear. Students were able to meditate on the site where Dhamma Padhāna‟s hall would later stand. Through a video link, Goenkaji was able to view the course in progress and give instructions from India. On Metta Day, he expressed his happiness to the assembled students and noted, “This center is not merely an English center, it is a European center … Let Dhamma Padhāna come up as quickly as possible for the good of many, for the benefit of many, for the liberation of many.” Construction, 2009-10 Construction started on the site in November 2009, with old student volunteers working alongside professional contrac- tors. The Dhamma servers played an important part in the would avoid duplication of cost and effort on the part of rapid transformation of the site. European centers, and would make it possible to schedule One volunteer was impressed with how smoothly the work more 10-day courses. proceeded: “The team is always changing. I‟m amazed we Long courses have been held in Europe since 1993 at centers can plan the building of the site with this impermanence, in France, Spain and the UK, but they could not always offer people coming and going, and yet somehow it all works. the needed privacy and isolation. Encouraged by Goenkaji‟s There are people from different backgrounds. It is good to vision, meditators from across Europe worked together to see the volition in others and we are all settled and har- find a suitable location for a European long-course center. monious.” Equally important, they put together a multinational structure Another marveled at the involvement of students from all that fostered participation by people all over the continent. over Europe, including Germany, France, Ireland, the UK, Hundreds of meditators helped to develop, build and manage Sweden, Spain, Denmark and Romania: “Of course I had the center, giving an impressive demonstration that the heard the talk of a European long-course center, but I had my Dhamma transcends all differences. doubts about how European it would be. But being there, it The work begins, 2007-08 really did feel like a European project, which was great.” Work began on the site in the fall of 2007. Volunteers moved Within 18 months, the first phase of construction provided young trees to clear the area of the future pagoda and medita- facilities for 50 students—half of the planned full capacity. tion hall. They replanted the trees to create a natural divide Funding came from old students as well as other European between Dhamma Padhāna and Dhamma Dīpa. About 30 centers. The Dhamma Dīpa Trust donated half of its land. adults and children from different countries helped on this This was only one of the many ways in which it provided project. support and protection. The first course, 2010 Servers worked up to the last minute to put the finishing touches on the center in time for the first course, which started on March 31, 2010. The atmosphere was positive and happy as everything fell into place. One volunteer recalled, “It was really an amazing effort in those last two weeks. So many people came to help. Someone was going into town one day and asked me if I needed anything. My reply was „one more week.‟ We didn‟t need it in the end. With the paint still drying on the dining room walls on Day 0, the students Group sitting on the land of Dhamma Padhāna, started to arrive at a peaceful new center, already open, where September 2008 only a year and a half ago there had been a field.” 8

ence its unique atmosphere and facilities. In 2011 the center will mark another first when it offers a 45-day course in the summer. Already Dhamma Padhāna is starting to fulfill its promise and Goenkaji‟s vision. Within its quiet and protective walls, meditators can strive ardently to deeply experience the teaching of the Buddha, for their own benefit and the benefit of many. For more information, visit www.padhana.dhamma.org and log into the old student page (username: oldstudent; password: behappy). Dhamma stories Cooling down the fire within Note: This is an excerpt from the Day 1 discourse of a 10-day course. The text has been edited. This beautiful bell was a gift to Dhamma Pad- In the East, when a housewife prepares food, she uses a bra- hāna from generous Burmese meditators. It was zier filled with burning charcoal. Once the food is cooked, cast in Mandalay, Myanmar, and installed the the fire is not needed but the housewife wants to keep the day before the start of the charcoal for the next meal. To extinguish the fire, she takes a center‟s first 30-day course in summer 2010. It is handful of water and throws it on the burning coals. The made of brass and weighs 210 kg (462 lbs). charcoal is burning hot; the water is cold. When the two come in contact, there is a great impact, a great reaction: Another server noted, “On the first course we asked students choong! The housewife throws another handful of water and to write down anything that didn't work in the rooms. Many again there is a sound of choong. Each time she throws a reported faulty plumbing and heating, which kept the main- handful of water, the sound comes. It stops only when the tenance servers busy. One day someone wrote, „My room is temperature of the charcoal comes down close to the tem- wonderful.‟ This then appeared in two other languages.” perature of the water. It is no longer hot. Then even if she throws a bucketful of water, there will be no choong. One student said it all: “I feel blessed that I could be present at the birth of this center!” Understand that the difficulties you have faced today are the choong, the reaction of your body. In one hour of medi- Dhamma Padhāna today tation, you may have only a moment when your mind is just with your breath coming in, going out, observing the reality Dhamma Padhāna continues to benefit from its proximity to of this moment. There is no ignorance because the breath is Dhamma Dīpa. The two centers share a number of facilities, a truth, with no imagination involved. And there is no crav- including offices. A single team manages what is now known ing or aversion. You don‟t start craving more breath or de- as the “Dhamma campus.” The two trusts work closely to- cide you don‟t want breath. You just remain equanimous, gether and there are several joint committees. you just observe. The small Padhāna kitchen provides breakfast and tea for That moment when your mind equanimously observes the course students, but lunch is prepared in Dhamma Dīpa‟s truth is a wonderful moment. A part of the mind is pure but newly built kitchen. Run solely by volunteers, this caters for there is still garbage deep inside. The pure mind of this mo- up to 220 students and servers daily. ment comes in contact with all that impurity and negativity in Students now come from all over Europe and beyond to sit the depths of your mind, and there is a volcanic explosion, a courses in an ideal environment, where they each have their big choong. And that manifests as a pain in the leg, or the own room with attached bath, as well as a cell for meditation. back or head. You feel so much discomfort and think, “I‟d Another important feature is that discourses and instructions better run away, this is not good for me.” have been translated and recorded in several languages, and Make a strong determination: This is the operation of my can be played separately for individual meditators as needed. mind. When you have a physical operation, it is performed by This plus the availability of an interpreter enables meditators a surgeon and you are kept under anesthesia. You don‟t know to follow courses in the language they know best. Instead of what is happening. But here, you have to perform your own the usual bilingual courses (English plus a second language), operation, without anesthesia. You have to face everything Dhamma Padhāna has an open language system. that comes up now. Be brave and face it. It is for your good. Aside from long courses, Dhamma Padhāna offers several This is how you start changing the behavior pattern of the shorter courses each year so that more meditators can experi- mind.

International news At 2:46 p.m., when the first tremor of the earthquake began, 50 students plus Dhamma servers and the teacher were seated India in the meditation hall at Dhammadicca. It was Day 9 of a 10- Dhamma Giri has its own website day course; and with the opening instructions for the group sitting finished, the hall was silent. The oldest and largest Vipassana center operating under Two Vipassana centers serve Japan: Dhamma Bhanu (Kyoto) Goenkaji‟s guidance is Dhamma Giri in India. The center is in the southwest, and Dhammadicca (Chiba) in the east. on the edge of the town of Igatpuri, approximately three Dhammadicca, located less than two hours from central To- hours by train or car from the city of Mumbai. kyo, primarily serves the residents of the capital and eastern cities and was much closer to the epicenter of the quake. For- tunately neither center was damaged and all students are safe and well. Despite two emergency evacuations from the meditation hall and numerous aftershocks, the course at Dham- madicca completed successfully and most students left on Day 11.

Dhamma Giri has now launched its own website. It contains Dhamma Bhanu, Kyoto Prefecture information about the center‟s history, current projects, course schedule and more. In rapid succession following the initial quake, Japan faced a crisis on multiple fronts: a 10-meter tsunami tidal wave had For more information, go to: www.giri.vridhamma.org stuck along the eastern coast, causing severe damage; six nu-

clear reactors were damaged, four of them seriously; and Japan workers were struggling to control a radiation leak. The earthquake and its aftermath At first, teachers and trust members considered throwing The following is a message from Chris and Sachiko Weeden, open Dhamma Bhanu, the Kyoto center, as a halfway house ācariyas living in Japan near Tokyo. for meditators and their families who might have been made homeless in the regions hardest hit by the tsunami. But after Friday, March 11 was a beautiful day, with clear blue skies further consideration, we agreed that the best service we and a feeling that spring would soon be with us. The first could offer would be to make available the invaluable plum blossoms were already in bloom and the cherry blos- Dhamma vibrations at the Vipassana centers—the islands of soms would shortly follow. Dhamma where meditators could take refuge from the fears and anxieties pervading the country. With this spirit in mind, a message was sent out to all old students, welcoming them to come to either center and participate in a series of special group sittings. In addition to the regular three group sittings that would be held each day, there would be the opportunity to meditate with other old students for up to three days or, if preferred, join in with the various service projects taking place at the center. Two weeks have now passed since the initial quakes and still Dhammadicca, Chiba Prefecture aftershocks continue in Chiba and elsewhere almost daily. 10

There have been shortages of daily necessities here and there, and everyone is deeply saddened to see such heartbreaking images of those who have suddenly lost everything, including many who have lost their loved ones. Still, it is hearten- ing to observe the society behaving with such dignity and composure. The nuclear crisis continues despite the heroic efforts of the Samurai 50—the technicians battling against the odds to re- gain control of the damaged reactors. There is periodically some good news and we all think we have now turned a corner, but it is then followed by more bad news. Numerous messages of support and encouragement have flowed in from Dhamma friends and well-wishers around the 3-D model of the future Israel center world, and have been gratefully received. We are reminded how fortunate we are that we have the strong international old students attending. The trust plans to hold more sittings Dhamma community thinking of us, and that we have the on the land after the winter rains come to an end. words and teaching of the Buddha that have come down to us through the ages: For 11 years, a rented field school in the south of Israel was the locale for Vipassana courses. Early in 2011, the trust “Make an island of yourself, make yourself your refuge, made a momentous move when it leased a site on the grounds there is no other refuge. of Kibbutz Beit Zera, within minutes of Dhamma Pamoda. A Make Dhamma your island, make Dhamma your refuge, team of volunteers quickly set to work to renovate and adapt there is no other refuge.” the existing buildings. Courses have already started at the new location. The move was a huge amount of work but May all beings be happy! meditators saw it as an important step in the direction of Russia Dhamma Pamoda. Once construction begins at the center, the nearby rental site will make the work much easier. First course in Yekaterinburg While this was happening, the task continued of developing This March, a first 10-day course was held near Yekaterin- detailed building plans for the center, together with the archi- burg (formerly Sverdlovsk). This is Russia‟s fourth-largest tect and other consultants. In March, the trust at last applied city. About two hours by plane from Moscow, it is located in for building permits. No difficulty is expected and the per- the province of Sverdlovsk, east of the Ural Mountains divid- mits could be issued within two or three months. ing Europe from Asia. Once that happens, the way will be open for construction. A group of some 30 meditators living in Yekaterinburg had This could start as early as August or September if finances requested the course and organized it. The site was a camp permit. Stay tuned for updates! not far from the city. Ninety-one students finished the course and there were 17 full-time servers. The course ran very For more information, visit www.pamoda.dhamma.org smoothly, and students are enthusiastically talking of holding (username: oldstudent; password: behappy). Click “The more courses and eventually looking for land for a center. Blog” for the latest news. Click “Financial Overview” for details of the financial status. Courses have been held in Russia since 1993 and the demand is very strong. Since 2001 there have been six to eight United States courses a year, with participants averaging 120 to 180. In the Moscow area, courses fill up within half an hour after regis- First course scheduled for Southern California tration opens. Land was bought for a center last December, Vipassana Center 100 kilometers east of Moscow (see our January 2011 issue). The first 10-day course at the Southern California Vipassana More courses are being held in other cities, with children‟s Center is scheduled to start on May 4. courses planned. Goenkaji approved plans for the center in 2002, when he vis- For more information, visit: www.ru.dhamma.org ited the region. When local students purchased a site, he Israel named it Dhamma Vaddhana—“Growth of Dhamma.” More moves toward the center The center is located just north of Joshua Tree National Park, approximately two and a half hours by car from Los Angeles Meditators in Israel started the year 2011 in the best way pos- and San Diego. The property consists of 154 acres of desert sible, with a half-day course on January 1 on the site of the landscape. From it can be seen Mount San Gorgonio, at future center, Dhamma Pamoda. It was one of the largest 11,500 feet the highest peak in southern California. Dhamma activities ever organized in Israel, with over 130

Freedom for a Dhamma brother The following article appeared in the first issue of the Vipas- sana Prison Newsletter in March 2011. Omar Rahman was one of the original Dhamma Brothers. He participated in all the Vipassana courses at Donaldson and helped out in different ways. Outside Donaldson, people got to know about Omar particularly by reading Letters from the Dhamma Brothers. When the April 2009 course took place, Omar was staying in the prison infirmary. He was suffering from advanced liver cancer. More than half a year before, doctors had told him that he had six months to live. Dhamma hall at Dhamma Vaddhana Despite this, Omar was happy to know that another course was happening at Donaldson. Even though he was very weak, he resolved to be there. The center has been built specifically to meet the needs of participants in a Vipassana course. Meditators will have com- For the first six days, leaning on a cane, Omar walked from fortable, state-of-the-art accommodations and facilities. Most the infirmary to meditate for a few hours in the interview will stay in private rooms with attached baths. room in the gym. He would sometimes be dizzy and shaking with weakness, but he was determined. The center will initially have facilities for 70 students. The plan is eventually to expand to accommodate 150 as funds During this time, one of the inmates helping on the course become available. was going through difficulties. Although Omar could barely For more information, go to: www.vaddhana.dhamma.org. hold a spoon to eat, he talked to this man each day and helped him deal with the problems. To his last, Omar was guiding A new edition of the Newsletter for prison inmates and inspiring others. This March, the first issue of the Vipassana Prison Newslet- During his months in the infirmary, Omar used to say that he ter was printed for distribution to the 150 meditators who are was not going to die in prison. In fact, a new Alabama state inmates at the Donaldson Correctional Facility in the US law allows for the release of certain prisoners with a terminal state of Alabama. illness. This provision had yet to be used. But on the seventh day of the course, Omar was taken in a wheelchair to his sis- Donaldson was the setting for the 2008 documentary film ter‟s car, and drove out with her from the gates of Donaldson. The Dhamma Brothers. It is currently the only correctional institution in the West hosting a regular course program. The The next day his wish came true. Omar died peacefully in his North American Prison Trust has organized courses there sleep at his sister‟s home, a free man. since 2002 and in that year Goenkaji visited the prison to At the course graduation ceremony, many of the students meet with meditators when he toured North America. The administration is interested in expanding the course program spoke about how much Omar had meant to them. He had really touched and moved many people in Donaldson, and to serve more inmates, as well as providing more support for those who have sat courses. The Prison Newsletter is a part many others beyond. of that initiative. In a 2006 letter, Omar described the impact of Vipassana on The newsletter reprints Goenkaji‟s inspiring message from his life. the first issue of the Vipassana Newsletter back in 1974 (see www.dhamma.org/en/os/words.htm, username: oldstudent; password: behappy). It reports on the 13th course held at Donaldson, this past January. It contains questions and answers, explains some Pali terms, and tells about showings of Dhamma Brothers around the world. One feature focuses on a participant in a 2005 prison course in Israel. Another de- scribes the last days of Omar Rahman, one of the original Dhamma brothers. Most important, the newsletter lists group sittings and future courses at Donaldson. Another issue is now in preparation. It‟s hoped that the Prison Newsletter will appear regularly to help meditators in this very challenging environment. Omar Rahman

“As an Imam and having taken the Vipassana course, I began Guardian, UK: to emphasize the importance of being observant and atten- “Ten days without talking,” by Judith Soal, March 9, 2011 tive,” he wrote. “For instance, the Quran constantly mentions www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/mar/09/ten-days- the importance of being mindful and observant of what is in without-talking the heart. Prior to the Vipassana course, these were words of First-hand report of a 10-day course in India wisdom. After Vipassana these words became a practice.” Text only The bookshelf ABC television news, USA: Ebooks “Rivers Cuomo and Meditation,” September 9, 2010 www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/rivers-cuomo-meditation- Recently, both Pariyatti in the United States and the Vipas- weezer-frontman-singer-musician-punk-rock-11598553 sana Research Institute in India have started to make Dhamma books available for download online. Interview with a well-known rock musician and Vipassana meditator about his practice Pariyatti offers ebooks of The Art of Living in both Spanish and Farsi versions, as well as notable translations of the Bud- 4-minute video clip dha‟s words, writings of Vipassana teachers and students, Financial Times, London, UK: and more. For a full list of ebooks, go to: “Meditation with the FT: Tim Parks," February 11, 2011 www.pariyatti.org/Bookstore/showproducts.cfm? www.ft.com/cms/s/2/e544348c-33eb-11e0-b1ed- FullCat=322&step=2 00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1HdKajQqt VRI has posted ebooks in English and Indian languages, as Article by a best-selling British author about his experience well as Farsi. All are available free of charge at: of Vipassana courses www.vridhamma.org/Publications.aspx. (Scroll down to the Text only bottom of the list for Farsi.) Has something appeared about Vipassana in your area? Send All publications are in PDF format and are compatible with a the information to us at [email protected]. wide range of electronic devices. The Essentials of Buddha-Dhamma in Meditation Practice, Questions and answers by Sayagyi U Ba Khin During his tour of North America in 2002, Goenkaji visited Our January 2011 issue contained an excerpt from Sayagyi‟s the Canadian city of Vancouver, where he spoke at the Plaza Essentials of Buddha-Dhamma. The full text, both print and of Nations on June 24. Here is an edited excerpt from the audio, is available from Pariyatti. question-and-answer session that followed his talk. Buddhavacana, by Glenn Wallis. Your courses require hard work and take 10 days. Is there a This comprehensive Pali reader guides students through a shortcut? selection of 16 suttas. For people with a basic knowledge of Pali. Published by Pariyatti, 2011. Bargaining! I was also born and brought up in a business house. Half of my present life, I lived in business. I know all Is there a new publication you‟d like to share with other business people have the habit of bargaining, bargaining. meditators? Maybe there‟s an old friend you recently redis- When I went to my teacher, I said, “Ten days? Oh, impossi- covered? Tell us about it by writing to: ble for me! I am such a busy person; to spare 10 days is to- [email protected]. tally impossible. I am an intelligent person; you show me Vipassana in the media your technique and I will work at home.” “Nothing doing,” said my teacher. Vipassana is often the focus of items carried by newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, and Internet sites “All right, I will come for one day. You teach me and I will around the world. Here are a few recent ones that have come practice in your presence!” to our attention: “Nothing doing. Ten days is the minimum required.” National Public Radio, USA: A hundred years ago, it took one and a half months to learn “At End-Of-The Line Prison, An Unlikely Escape,” by Deb- this technique. But in these fast-paced days today, who can bie Elliott, February 8, 2011 spare one and a half months? So the teachers reduced the www.npr.org/2011/02/08/133505880/at-end-of-the-line- course to 10 days, but less than that one does not get any- prison-an-unlikely-escape thing. Account of the course program at Donaldson Correctional One has to sharpen the mind; otherwise you are working at Facility in Alabama, USA the surface level only. So don‟t bargain. Sharpen your mind; 7-minute audio clip and text transcript feel all kinds of sensations and train the mind not to react to these sensations. That will give you good results.

You talk so much about suffering and mental defilements. If craving and aversion are to be avoided, what are they re- Isn‟t your message pessimistic? placed with? How is it pessimistic? This is the most optimistic message! They are replaced with love, compassion, good will. When- Misery exists, but if there is a way to come out of misery, the ever the mind is impure, it becomes more and more impure as message is full of optimism. you start generating craving and aversion. This is a habit pattern going back far into the past. Before, you kept on generat- If somebody says, “There is misery and no way to come out ing craving and aversion; and now again you generate crav- of it, you have to suffer misery your whole life,” that would ing and aversion. You are becoming more and more miser- be pessimistic. able. But here the message is, “You can come out of it!” Whatever By this technique, the habit pattern changes and the mind the misery may be, there is a way to come out of all the mis- becomes purer and purer, free from craving, free from aver- eries. It is the most optimistic message! sion. A pure mind by nature is full of love, full of compas- Many prophets have said that the end of the world or a clean- sion. You don‟t harm yourself, you don‟t harm others. sing of the Earth is coming. Do you belief this is true? Why Just eradicate the impurities in the mind and the love and or why not? compassion is a natural result. The cleansing of the Earth … We are responsible for spoiling Can‟t I still have fun in life if I learn Vipassana? the purity of the Earth. We are generating so much pollution. We talk so much about chemical pollution, which is visible. Have fun, but with equanimity! Don‟t lose your equanimity, It is harmful, but what about mental pollution? Everyone and have fun. Nothing wrong in enjoying fun! generates negativity, and the entire atmosphere gets polluted. For a full audio recording of this question-and answer We are responsible for that, and we are responsible to purify this atmosphere, get it relieved of the pollution. Change the session, go to: http://pariyatti.org/Resources/Podcasts/QA/ habit pattern of the mind and the Earth will become free from tabid/112/Default.aspx and click on 2002-06- all the miseries. 24_SNG_at_Plaza_of_Nations_Q&A.mp3.

How can I practice Dharma and yet hold on to my hopes and aspirations and make the world a better place? Grateful commemoration You have hopes, you have aspirations, there is nothing wrong in that. But to attain your hopes, your aspirations, if you keep on generating impurity in your mind, you are far away from Mrs. Manorama Tiwari passed away peacefully on January 18 at Lucknow, India. She was a senior assis- your goal. You are losing the peace and harmony of your tant teacher and served many courses in India. Her hus- mind. band, Mr. Rudra Datt Tiwari, is also an assistant With peace of mind, maintaining perfect balance of the mind, teacher. do whatever is necessary in human life, good for you and Mr. Ashok Ghirnikar passed away on February 26 in good for others. Mumbai at the age of 68. He was appointed an assistant Do you believe in reincarnation? teacher in 1997 and an ācariya in 2007. He conducted many courses in different parts of India. Despite falling I am not interested in these beliefs. Beliefs are always blind ill in 2009, he continued to sit and serve. He sat his last beliefs. Why believe? Experience it. See what happens after course at Dhamma Giri in January 2011. His wife, Mrs. death, whether you get reincarnated or not. Then only accept Vaishali Ghirnikar, is also a Vipassana teacher. it! Mr. Ram Avadh Verma passed away on April 1 in How can you be passionate about life but remain detached at Mandalay, Myanmar, at the age of 66. He was one of the same time? the earliest assistant teachers to be appointed by Come to Vipassana and you will know how! It looks so diffi- Goenkaji and became an ācariya in 2001. Though of cult now because you don‟t know how to balance the mind at Indian descent, he was born and brought up in Myan- the deepest level. You try to impose this balance at the sur- mar, and spoke the language fluently. From 1995 he face level. That itself is difficult. And even if you have made served full-time at the Vipassana Research Institute, your mind balanced at the surface level, the lack of balance mainly translating Burmese Dhamma books into Hindi. remains at the depths. You can‟t come out of it. Vipassana is In recent years, he played a vital role interpreting for for this purpose, so that you can work at the root level and the Burmese artists and artisans helping to complete become really happy. the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai. His wife, Susheela, is also a Vipassana teacher.

May they all be happy, peaceful and liberated!

Appointments and new responsibilities (through April 2011) New responsibilities 8. U San Lwin & Daw Tin Tin Naing, Myanmar Ācaryas 9. Daw Aye Myint, Myanmar 10. Daw Hla Myint, Myanmar 1. Mr. Mohan Raj Adla, India (Hyderabad), to assist the area teacher in serving Andhra Pradesh, to serve 11. Daw Hla Hla Myint, Myanmar Dhamma Khetta and to assist in AT training in 12. Dr. U Thein Tun, Myanmar South India 13. Daw Nyo Nyo Win, Myanmar 2. Mr. Raj Ratna Dhakhwa, Nepal, to serve in the 14. Mr. Abhijit Bhabhe, India (Mumbai) production of all teaching materials and central 15. Mr. Prakash Laddha, India (Nashik) archives in Nepal 16. Mrs. Kanchen Leal, UK/India 3. Mr. Mohanlal Agrawal, India (Akola), to serve Dhamma Anakula, Akola and Buldhana districts 17. Mr. Raj Kumar Singh & Mrs. Sarojini Chauhan, India (Fatehpur) 4. Mr. Namdeo Dongre, India (Nagpur), to serve Yavatmal district including Dhamma Malla 18. Mr. Mannilal Yadav, India (Fatehpur) 5. Mr. Ashok Pawar, India (Nashik), to assist in AT 19. Ms. Veronika Gruber, Canada training in Maharashtra 20. Mr. David & Mrs. Line Lander, Germany 6. Mr. Klaus & Mrs. Edith Nothnagel, Germany, New appointments spread of Dhamma Assistant teachers Senior assistant teachers 1. Mr. Gautam Bhave, India (Nanded) 1. Mr. Rushikant & Mrs. Minaxi Mehta, India 2. Dr. Ram Krishna Pandey, India (Gorakhpur) (Ahmedabad) 3. Mr. Robert Jo‟son Bell, USA 2. Mr. Purushottamdas Patel, India (Ahmedabad) 4. Mr. Dean Taylor, USA 3. Mr. Upendrakumar & Mrs. Urvashi Patel, India 5. Mr. Man Raghubir Singh Maan, India (Nanded) (Mehsana) 6. Mr. Sushil Mansinghka, India (Aurangabad) 4. Mr. Dinesh & Mrs. Shobhana Shah, India 7. Mr. Ravi Saxena, India (Mumbai) (Ahmedabad) 8. Mrs. Seema Sharma, India (New Delhi) 5. Dr. Maung Maung Aye & Daw Yi Yi Win, Myan- mar 9. Ms. Alicia Vispo, Spain 6. Daw Yin Hla, Myanmar 10. Mr. Daniel Erasmus, South Africa 7. U Thein Htwe, Myanmar