What is Vipassana?

Vipassana, or insight meditation, is the practice of continued close attention to sensation, through which one ultimately sees the true nature of existence. It is believed to be the form of meditation practice taught by the Buddha himself, and although the specific form of the practice may vary, it is the basis of all traditions of Buddhist meditation.

Vipassana is the predominant Buddhist meditation practice in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. At the beginning of the twentieth century, there was an important revival of this early form of meditation practice led by the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. Following Mahasi Sayadaw’s death in 1982, Sayadaw U Pandita was chosen as his principle preceptor. U Pandita was one of the world’s leading teachers of Vipassana meditation and was been an important influence on many Vipassana teachers in the West, including Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein of the Insight Meditation Society. He was the founder and abbot of Panditarama Meditation Centre in Yangon, Myanmar.

Buddhist Insight Network (“BIN”), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, exists to support healthy sanghas devoted to offering Theravada Buddhist teachings (Dhamma) to their communities. BIN provides a communication and resource hub for Insight (Vipassana) teachers and sangha leaders to promote the exchange of valuable ideas that enable constituents to share the Dhamma more effectively.

As the US and the world face significant challenges and upheaval, IMS affirms its commitment to providing a spiritual refuge, where everyone who comes to practice at our centers feels welcomed, honored and included.

We dedicate ourselves to the Buddha’s teachings that hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone, and remain steadfast in upholding non-harming and nonviolence as the pillars of compassionate action.

Never has our meditation practice provided a more important foundation for wise engagement. We counter the destructive forces of greed, hatred, and delusion by cultivating friendliness, joy, generosity, and peace. These are boundless qualities that inspire our vision and deepen our resilience. They include all, and prompt action that can offer safety and protection for anyone whose race, skin color, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, or immigration status puts them at risk.

May oppression and division, and all their causes, be dispelled. May the force of kindness and the power of our collective commitment to justice, inclusiveness, and awakening serve all.

The Princeton Insight Meditation Group is a group of people who come together to practice Buddhist insight meditation (vipassana, or mindfulness meditation) and study the Dharma.  Formed in 2005, Princeton Insight Meditation (now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) is open to anyone interested in starting or deepening their insight meditation practice through group practice and support.