May the Dhamma Spread

(The following has been adapted from the Closing Address by S. N. Goenka at the Annual Conference at Dhamma Giri on 21 January 1994.)

My dear Dhamma sons and Dhamma daughters:

 

We have come to the closing part of this Dhamma seminar, but the actual work starts now. Take home with you all the inspiration and enthusiasm for the huge work ahead, that you have gained by attending this annual conference. Dhamma must spread. Whatever we have done is just a few drops in the vast ocean. A healthy beginning has been made, but a huge amount of work remains. The entire world is suffering. People want a way to come out of their suffering, but they don't know how to find it. If this wonderful path is offered to them, they will certainly accept it.

 

Everyone who wants to devote their life to the spread of Dhamma should remember the words of the Enlightened One. The echo of his words should always remain: Caratha bhikkhave cārikaṃ-move on, move on. Why? Bahujanahitāya, bahujanasukhāya-for the good and benefit of many, for the happiness of many. Lokānukampāya-with infinite compassion in your mind. Not in order to gain something for yourself or to establish a particular sect or to exploit people in the name of Dhamma. Dhamma is not for those purposes.

 

You have to just give without expecting anything in return. It is one-way traffic. Keep on giving for the good, benefit and happiness of others with a mind full of compassion. Atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṃ-for the happiness of all beings. There may be worldly happiness, we are not against that, but it is not the aim. The whole purpose is the happiness of the ultimate goal, nibbānaṃ paramaṃ sukhaṃ. Then the entire exercise will become purposeful, meaningful.

 

And how will you serve? The Enlightened one says: Desetha, give Dhamma, which is beneficial in the beginning, beneficial in the middle and beneficial in the end. That means the Dhamma of sīla, samādhi, and paññā. Every step that one takes on the path is beneficial, beneficial. If one practises only sīla one starts receiving the benefit of Dhamma. If one practises samādhi also, there are more benefits. One starts practising paññā-developing one's own wisdom, insight, and purifying the mind-there is more benefit, it takes one to the final goal of liberation. It is such a wonderful Dhamma.

 

It is complete, nothing needs to be added to it-kevalaṃ paripuṇṇaṃ. What can you add to sīla, samādhi, and paññā? There is nothing wanting. Parisuddha-it is totally pure. There is nothing, not a jot in it, which is impure, which should be taken out. The totality and purity of Dhamma should be maintained, and passed on.

 

Sātthaṃ sabyañjanaṃ-the letter and spirit of the words of the Enlightened One; sabyañjanaṃ pariyatti are the words of the Enlightened One. And the path, the way, the technique that he taught us to practise is sātthaṃ. So there is paṭipatti and pariyatti. Desetha dhammaṃ, give this complete Dhamma.

 

Brahmacariyaṃ pakāsetha. Throw light on the pure way of life-not merely by a sermon at the level of words, but by living the Dhamma. Brahmacariyaṃ, dhammacariyaṃ, dhammācaraṇa, brahmācaraṇa. As he taught, so we are trying to live that very life. Let everyone see that these people who are talking about Dhamma are also living the life of Dhamma. Only then are you throwing light on Dhamma. Look how one can live a really good life!

 

Only when they see good examples will they be attracted to Dhamma, not merely by intellectual or emotional entertainment. They have to see the actuality of living Dhamma. Pakāsetha-throw light on yourself. Let people see what sort of life you are living. Everything must be open, there is nothing to be hidden. This is the way to attract people to the path of Dhamma, not just in order to have blind followers, but so that more and more people benefit from it.

 

"How miserable I was before coming to the path, and look, although I have taken just a few steps, what a change has come in my life!" Those who are close to you will find, yes, a change is coming in your life. This is pakāsetha. Your own behaviour throws light not only on you, but also on Dhamma. This is how people benefit by walking on the path of Dhamma. In this way, people will be inspired and encouraged to walk on the path of pure Dhamma.

 

Theory is very important to give inspiration, encouragement and proper guidance, but the actual benefit that one gets is only by applying Dhamma.

 

May all of you messengers of Dhamma live this Dhamma not only for your benefit, but also for the benefit of others. Live a good life, a happy, peaceful and harmonious life. Help more and more miserable people to live a good, happy and harmonious life. May more and more people come out of their misery.

 

May Dhamma spread. May the light of pure Dhamma spread, and dispel the darkness of ignorance, suffering, misery. May all be happy, be peaceful, be liberated.

 

Bhavatu sabba maṇgalaṃ!

Goenkaji's Dhamma Tour of South India and Maharashtra

After the successful tour of UK and USA, Goenkaji and Mataji toured Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Nagpur and Pune in September and October. He gave various public talks; most were preceded by group meditation by old students and followed by question-answer sessions.

 

The Vipassana International Meditation Centre (VIMC) was the first centre to organise a Vipassana course in India in 1975. Therefore, local meditators and the state government decided to celebrate its silver jubilee. Goenkaji had met Mr Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.), at the World Economic Forum in Davos. At that time, Mr Naidu had urged Goenkaji to visit A.P. After his return to India, Mr Naidu visited VIMC and spoke to several meditators. He again requested Goenkaji to visit Hyderabad as a state guest of A.P. Goenkaji accepted his invitation and a programme of a five public-talk series was arranged from 20 to 24 September. On this auspicious occasion, the enthusiastic meditators of Hyderabad published a Vipassana Souvenir containing articles in English, Hindi and Telugu to commemorate the silver jubilee of VIMC to spread greater awareness of Vipassana.

 

On 20 September, Goenkaji and Mataji gave Vipassana to students of the ten-day course at VIMC, Dhamma Khetta. In the evening, Goenkaji went to Lalita Kala Toranam Auditorium for the first talk, "Dhamma in Governance" in English. The Chief Minister welcomed Goenkaji and Mataji, escorted them to the dais, requested Goenkaji to give the Dhamma talk before taking a seat among the audience, of about 4000, which included state ministers, legislators and government officers. In his talk, Goenkaji said that those at the helm of government should follow the principles of Dhamma, which are universal and non-sectarian. The talk elaborated on the benefits of Vipassana for government administrators, stressing the importance of having a strong and balanced mind to make healthy, responsible decisions. After the talk, Chandrababu Naidu acknowledged the importance of moral principles in government administration. He announced that the state government will issue an order [G.O. Ms. No. 351, General Administration (AR&T.III) Department, dated 18 October 2000] sanctioning special paid leave of 10 days to all government officials wishing to take part in Vipassana courses. There was a question-answer session after the talk followed by a press conference in which Goenkaji remarked that the media should also report positive and wholesome matters that can be of benefit to people, rather than reporting only sensational and frivolous matters. On this occasion, the Vipassana Souvenir was also released.

On 20 September, Goenkaji gave the second talk, "Dhamma in Business" in English at the Lalita Kala Toranam auditorium, in which he explained that business is for the benefit of the whole nation, not merely for personal gain. The next talk at the Osmania University was on "Dhamma in Education" for University educators and students. On 23 September, Goenkaji gave a talk in Hindi again at the Lalita Kala Toranam auditorium on "What is Dhamma?" to an audience of about 4000 people. The next day, Goenkaji gave Anapana and Vipassana to 200 students of a one-day course held for the first time in a new hall named Maitri hall at Dhamma Khetta. In the evening, the fifth talk by Goenkaji, "Dhamma in Life" in English, explaining the way to apply Dhamma in order to live a happy and harmonious life, was given to about 4000 people at the Lalita Kala Toranam auditiorium.

 

The next day, Goenkaji flew to Bangalore, and from there, to meet His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sri Sri Bharathi Bheertha Mahaswamiji. Both of them agreed that all the religious traditions of the world should maintain cordial relations with each other and give importance to morality and purity of mind instead of raking up controversial issues. The following was agreed:

 

1) In order to foster friendlier ties between the two communities, wrong beliefs, such as that the Buddha was a reincarnation of Vishnu, should not be propagated.
2) Any attempt by either Vedic or Shraman tradition to show itself as higher than the other should not be done in future and both traditions should be accorded equal respect and esteem
3) By doing good deeds and removing evils such as passion, anger, arrogance, ignorance, greed, jealousy and ego, anybody can attain a higher position in society and enjoy peace and happiness.

 

Goenkaji returned to Bangalore in the evening. On 26th September he gave a public talk in Hindi at SSMRV College Auditorium on "Vipassana: The Art of Living". Although this talk was finalised only a couple of days earlier, it was very well attended. Goenkaji visited Maha Bodhi Society the next day, where Rev. Bhikkhu Ananda thanked Goenkaji for the Tipiṭika volumes published by VRI. A meeting was organised, which was attended by the Education minister, the Deputy Mayor of Bangalore, the Home Secretary and several other senior officials, followed by a discourse by Goenkaji. In the evening, Goenkaji gave a public talk in English "Vipassana for Peace and Harmony" at SSMRV College Auditorium. On 28th September the subject of the public talk was "Vipassana: Its relevance to the modern world" in English, at the J. N. Tata Auditorium, Indian Institute of Science. Several scientists and research scholars of the Institute attended this talk. The auditorium was full even though a "bandh" had been announced in Bangalore.

 

After the discourse, Goenkaji flew to Chennai, where he stayed at Dhamma Setu Vipassana centre. A Vipassana Souvenir containing Hindi, English and Tamil articles was published and distributed on the occasion of Goenkaji's visit. On the morning of 29th September, Goenkaji meditated with old students and answered their questions. In the evening, Goenkaji gave a public talk in English on "Dhamma in Life" at Music Academy, which was followed by a press conference. The next day, there was a meeting with assistant teachers and trustees, and in the evening, the second English public talk on "Dhamma in Education" at DAV school, in which Goenkaji explained the importance of Vipassana to the teachers and students in the audience. On 1st October, assistant teachers, trustees and Dhamma servers from Tamil Nadu and Kerala met Goenkaji and received guidance from him. In the evening, the third English public talk "Dhamma in Business" was given at the Music Academy to a large and attentive audience. On 2nd October, Goenkaji spoke on "Vipassana for Good Health" at the Apollo Hospital for the benefit of the doctors and hospital staff.

 

Goenkaji reached Nagpur on 3rd October. The next day, Goenkaji gave Vipassana and mettā to about 6000 old students at Dikshabhumi. There was a public talk at the University Ground that evening on "Pure Dhamma and Religion" in Hindi to an audience of more than 10,000. The next two public talks held at the same venue were attended by even greater numbers. On 5 October, Goenkaji gave Vipassana to ten-day course students at Dhamma Nāga. About a thousand old students came to the centre to receive Vipassana from Goenkaji. The next day, Goenkaji gave mettā to more than a thousand old students at Sugata Nagar. After that, he went to Dragon Palace Temple and meditated with old students there and gave mettā to them. On 7th October, Goenkaji gave a public talk to an audience of about 25,000 people at Dikshabhumi. He said that it is important to apply Dhamma in life, particularly the practice of sīla (morality). He urged them to make a strong resolution to observe at least the sīla of abstinence from all intoxicants on this auspicious day. Anyone who found any difficulty in observing this sīla should learn Vipassana and come out of addiction to all intoxicants. Most of the gathering, including prominent political and social leaders such as Mr R. S. Gavai and Mrs Sulekha Kumbhare, raised their arms and pledged to observe this sīla. Later in the evening, Goenkaji addressed some senior RSS functionaries and had a discussion with RSS leader, K. S. Sudarshan. On the morning of 8th October, there was an English discourse titled "How Vipassana helps in stress management and brings peace and harmony in life" for invitees. In the evening Goenkaji meditated with about 6000 old students and gave mettā. The next day, he gave mettā to the students of ten-day course in Nagpur jail followed by a public talk to all inmates in the presence of the Inspector-General of Prisons (Maharashtra). Goenkaji returned to Mumbai in the evening and three days later, he and Mataji went to Pune.

 

At Pune, Goenkaji and Mataji stayed at the new Vipassana centre in the heart of the city, which has been named Dhamma Puṇṇa (Fullness of Dhamma). The next day, Goenkaji gave a discourse to about 250 invitees, including industrialists and high ranking government officers. In the evening, he meditated with about 1000 old students and emphasised the importance of daily meditation, sitting courses and Dhamma service. On 16 October, in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr Chagan Bhujbal, Goenkaji gave a Dhamma talk to Yeravda Jail inmates, including students of the 17th ten-day course starting on that day. In the evening, Goenkaji gave a public talk "Vipassana for Better Education" in Hindi at the Ganesh Krida Kendra to about 3000 teachers. The next evening, the subject of the talk was "Vipassana for Better Living" to about 3500 people. On 18th October, he gave a talk to 2500 people, mainly from non-governmental organisations, about the necessity of Vipassana for the underprivileged. Earlier, he gave a talk to 300 visually challenged students; some of them had done a Vipassana course at Pune centre earlier. The next day, Goenkaji gave mettā to about 1000 school children who were taking part in a one-day course at Dhamma Puṇṇa before returning to Mumbai.¨

Goenkaji's Lecture at IIT, Powai

A lecture by Goenkaji titled "Vipassana: The Super-Science of Mind and Matter" at the Indian Institute of Technology, Powai on 1st November 2000 was extremely well received by students, staff and faculty members. More than 500 people listened attentively to the talk; many had to stand because the hall was filled to capacity. Goenkaji explained the technique of Vipassana, the interaction between mind and matter, and its relevance in modern-day life. He said that one could become a better scientist and human being by regular practice of Vipassana. The talk was preceded by group meditation by about 50 old students and followed by a lively question-answer session. The audience found the scientific tenor of the lecture very appealing. As a result, many students and faculty members have registered for a Vipassana course.

Goenkaji's Discourses on Zee TV

Goenkaji's series of 44 discourses in Hindi are being broadcast on Zee TV every Monday from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m.

Dhamma Pilgrimage - 2001

After the overwhelming response to the Sayagi U Ba Khin Centenary Dhamma Pilgrimage last year, the Vipassana International Academy is organising a Dhamma tour to visit the historical places in the life of the Buddha. The inspiring presence of Goenkaji and Mataji made the entire trip to Myanmar an unforgettable journey. Goenkaji and Mataji have consented to join this pilgrimage as well.

 

During this entire pilgrimage, meditation sessions would be held at the places visited, followed by a discourse by Goenkaji, which will include the historical relevance, an overview of the incidents that have occurred in the life of Buddha and the importance of meditation in that place. The Dhamma tour will also include group meditation at all the Vipassana centres in the area.

 

Details of the tour are as follows:

 

The Dhamma tour will start on 18 February 2001, from Mumbai or Ahmedabad to Varanasi and will conclude on 2 March 2001. The cost of this tour inclusive of accommodation, food and train travel is Rs.15,000/- per person. Accommodation will be in tents.

 

Registration will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Once registration has been confirmed nocancellation or changes can be done.

 

Dhamma brothers and sisters travelling by air must intimate their departure airport in India. It would be preferable for them to do their entire booking including air travel through the Dhamma tour organisers because reservations will have to be made on trains on many internal sectors. Airfare must be added on to the tour package cost of Rs.15,000/-

 

All foreign passport holders must have an Indian Multiple Visit visa and a Nepal visa to be able to enter Lumbini in Nepal. Those who do not have multiple entry visa for India, will have to skip the visit to Lumbini.

 

Savings from this tour will be donated to the Sayagi U Ba Khin Memorial Trust for the spread of Vipassana. Payment may be made in cash or by cheque or bank draft in favour of Sayagyi U Ba Khin Trust, Bombay at the following address:

Mr. Shyam Goenka,
Indo-Burma Trading Corp., Green House, Green Street, 2nd Floor, Fort, Mumbai 400 001
Tel: [91] (22) 2664698, 2664039;
Fax: [91] (22) 2664607; e-mail: ibtc@vsnl.com

New Appointments

Assistant Teachers:
Mr Ashok R. Babhale, Anumala
Mr Rati Ram Surya, Ghaziabad
Mr Kaushalendra Pratap Singh, Delhi
Mrs Jass Madaan, Faridabad
Mr K Ravikumar Reddy, Eluru
Mr Karunaratne Wijeweera

 

Children Course Teachers:
Mr Prakash Khirade, Aurangabad
Mr Ranjit Singh, Hoshiarpur
Mrs Panna Angrish, Jalandhar
Mrs Chintamanie Pilimatalauwe, Sri Lanka
Mrs Chandra Ratnayake, Sri Lanka
Mr Charles S. Amaratunga, Sri Lanka
Mr Lionel R. Pilinatalauwa, Sri Lanka