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Vipassana Nepalविपश्यना नेपाल

Techniques

How Vipassana is taught

The same aim, several methods. Most living lineages trace back to teachers in Myanmar and Thailand in the last 150 years; each gives beginners a different first object and a different kind of retreat.

Traditions

Teaching lineages, each with its own method, teachers and centres.

  • S. N. Goenka's Vipassana (Sayagyi U Ba Khin tradition)

    Donation-funded 10-day courses taught with S. N. Goenka's recorded instructions, in the line of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, at centres in Nepal and worldwide.

    1969, first course in Bombay (Mumbai) · 278 centres listed

  • International Meditation Centres (Sayagyi U Ba Khin tradition)

    U Ba Khin's Vipassana as handed on by Mother Sayamagyi: 10-day courses with a live teacher, five days of Anapana and a suggested donation.

    1952, IMC Rangoon (Yangon) · 6 centres listed

  • Mahasi Sayadaw's noting method

    Mahasi Sayadaw's method of noting the rise and fall of the abdomen and whatever else arises, practised in silent retreats in Myanmar, Nepal and beyond.

    1938 at Seikkhun; Yangon centre opened in 1949 · 9 centres listed

  • Pa-Auk: concentration first, then insight

    The Pa-Auk method from Myanmar trains deep concentration (jhāna) first, then detailed insight that follows the Visuddhimagga, in long stays at a monastery.

    1980s, at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery, Myanmar · 2 centres listed

  • The Sunlun method

    A Burmese method of strong, rapid breathing and a fixed posture, then close attention to bodily sensation, above all pain, without mental labels.

    1920s, at Myingyan, Upper Myanmar · 1 centres listed

  • The Mogok method: insight through dependent origination

    Mogok Sayadaw's Burmese method: learn dependent origination first, then watch feeling and mind arise and pass away in your own experience.

    1945, in the town of Mogok, Burma

  • Sayadaw U Tejaniya: relaxed, continuous awareness

    Sayadaw U Tejaniya's teaching in the Shwe Oo Min lineage near Yangon: relaxed, continuous awareness, with the attitude of the watching mind put first.

    Shwe Oo Min centre near Yangon, 1998 · 1 centres listed

  • The Thai Forest tradition

    The forest lineage of Ajahn Mun and Ajahn Chah: breath meditation with Buddho, walking paths, and guest stays at monasteries in Thailand and the West.

    Ajahn Mun (1870–1949); Wat Pah Pong, 1954 · 6 centres listed

  • Buddhadasa and Suan Mokkh: ānāpānasati retreats

    Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu's mindfulness with breathing, taught on a silent 10-day retreat in English that starts on the 1st of every month at Suan Mokkh.

    Suan Mokkh 1932; retreat hermitage 1986 · 2 centres listed

  • Insight Meditation in the West (IMS, Spirit Rock, Gaia House)

    Insight meditation is the English name for vipassanā, clear attention to the present: how IMS, Spirit Rock and Gaia House teach it, its roots and fees.

    1976, IMS in Barre, Massachusetts · 5 centres listed

Practices

Single exercises that several traditions share, each from the early discourses.

  • Ānāpāna (breath)

    Ānāpānasati (Anapana), mindfulness of breathing: the 16 steps of MN 118, how each tradition uses the breath, what research has found and first steps.

  • Body scanning

    The core practice of Vipassana as taught by U Ba Khin and S. N. Goenka: what it is, its aim, how it differs from MBSR's body scan, and where to learn it.

  • Noting

    Mahasi Sayadaw's method of silently naming experience, from 'rising, falling' at the abdomen: its purpose, how it is taught, later forms and critics.

  • Walking

    Walking meditation is mindful walking on a short path: the Buddha's five benefits (AN 5.29), Mahasi noting, forest walking paths and basic guidance.

  • Mettā

    Goodwill towards all beings, from the Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta: how Goenka courses, IMS and other traditions teach mettā, and how it relates to vipassanā.

Traditions side by side

A summary only: each tradition’s own page explains the method in its own terms.

TraditionMain objectConcentration first?Typical retreatCost
Goenka (U Ba Khin)Natural breath at the nostrils, then body sensationsYes: about 3½ days of Anapana, not jhāna10-day course minimum (12 calendar days)Free; donations accepted only from past students
IMC (U Ba Khin)Breath at the base of the nose, then body and mindYes: about five days of Anapana10 days, Friday evening to Monday morningSuggested donation (£300 at IMC UK, 2026)
Mahasi notingAbdomen rising and falling, then whatever arisesNo: momentary concentration while notingIndividual stays, from a week to several monthsVaries; no set fees at Panditarama Lumbini
Pa-AukJhāna, usually on the breath, then insightYes: jhāna, or access concentrationLong-term residence; approval needed firstLodging and two meals free; donations voluntary
SunlunTouch of strong breath, then bodily sensationYes: strong breathing is meant to build it fastFormat varies; ask the monasteryNot published; ask the monastery
MogokFeeling and mind, framed by dependent originationNo; the breath only to calm a restless mindVaries by centre; no English schedule foundNot published in English; ask the centre
U Tejaniya (Shwe Oo Min)The observing mind and its attitude; any objectNo; the stress is on continuity of awarenessIndividual stays of up to 3 months (as last published)Free; meals and other donations optional
Thai ForestBreath (often with Buddho), walking, monastic lifeCalm and insight developed togetherGuest stays, e.g. 3 days to a month; no coursesFree; monasteries live on lay donations
Suan MokkhĀnāpānasati (mindfulness with breathing)Yes, in the first days, then insight10 days, from the 1st to the 11th of every month2,000 baht, all-inclusive (as of 2026)
Insight Meditation (West)Mindfulness of breath, body and mind, plus mettāGenerally no; varies by teacherWeekend to 3 months (IMS); 1 day to 2 months (Spirit Rock)Sliding-scale fees; teachers supported by dāna