Travel: Train from Colombo to Sarasavi Uyana Peradeniya Station. From there go to Galaha Road (shortcut through the university campus), then take the bus from Galaha Road to Mahakanda Junction.
Leadership: S. N. Goenka received teaching permission in 1969, after 14 years of practice, from his teacher U Ba Khin. Goenkaji comes from a wealthy Indian industrialist family and grew up in Burma, where he was raised in the Hindu tradition. Today he lives in India. Since there are more than 50 meditation centers worldwide in this tradition, Goenkaji’s instructions are shown on video or transmitted from tape.
Tradition and Teacher: Vipassana according to U Ba Khin (Burma), S.N.-Goenka center.
Meditation Technique: Silent retreats with intensive sitting meditation and one discourse daily.
The first three days Anapanasati, i.e., observation of breath. Concentration on inhalation and exhalation. The breath is only observed, not manipulated.
From the third day Vipassana meditation according to U Ba Khin. In the “Step by Step” or “Body-Sweeping” method, bodily sensations are systematically observed. Once the body has been examined from head to toes, another round follows in the reverse direction. Sensations should not be judged, only observed. The course concludes with an exercise for developing loving-kindness.
Rules: Each participant commits to completing the entire retreat (not leaving the premises), maintaining silence for the first nine days, not reading or writing, refraining from sexual activities, not performing rituals, prayers, or other meditation techniques, accepting the instructions of the teacher and management, and observing the five or eight silas (moral precepts) (new or old students). White or light clothing is desired; conspicuous or short clothing is to be avoided. Wake-up daily at 4 a.m., formal practice ends between 9 and 10 p.m.
Course Duration and Dates: Three-day, ten-day, 21-day, and even longer courses are offered throughout the year. A ten-day course is recommended for new interested persons. Timely advance registration is necessary. Schedule and registration form can be requested; personal registration is also possible.
Language(s): Course language English or Sinhalese.
Meals: The food is vegetarian. Those who want to be sure about the drinking water should use a brought-along water purification agent.
Costs: On a donation basis.
Climate: Pleasant.
Remarks: Since the videos and communication with the assistant teacher take place in English, it is useful to read an English-language book about Buddhism beforehand to practice the relevant vocabulary (e.g., “Art of Living” by S. N. Goenka, in German translation “Die Kunst des Lebens”, Fischer TB-Verlag).
Further information at the German center:
Dhamma Dvara
Alte Str. 6
08606 Triebel
Tel. 037434-79770
Fax 037434-79771
Internet: www.dvara.dhamma.org
E-Mail:
Good for serious practitioners with retreat experience and the desire for intensive practice. Also suitable for beginners who have no major problems with prolonged sitting and are willing to integrate into an intensive, regulated daily schedule.
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