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The
visit of the world renowned meditation master, Shri S. N. Goenka
(commonly referred to as Goenkaji), to Sri Lanka forms part of the
2550th Sambuddha Jayanthi celebrations. Several activities have
been planned during this week-long visit, starting with a talk at
the Sambodhi Vihara, Wijerama Road on Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m.
On Vesak Day, May 12 he will address the devotees at the Sambodhi
Vihara at 4.30 p.m.
A one-day meditation programme has been arranged at the Dhamma Sobha
at Kosgama on Sunday, May 14 and there will be a felicitation ceremony
at Rajamaha Vihara, Kotte the following day.
Two more Dhamma talks will be given by Goenkaji – one at the
BMICH on Tuesday, May 16 at 10.30 a.m. and the other at Ramakrishna
Hall, Wellawatta on Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. A felicitation ceremony
by the Government is being planned for Wednesday, May 17 at the
BMICH.
Goenkaji is a teacher of Vipassana meditation in the tradition of
the late Sayagyi U. Ba Khin of Burma (Myanmar). Although Indian
by descent, he was born and raised in Burma. While living in Burma
he had the good fortune to come into contact with U. Ba Khin, and
to learn the Vipassana technique from him.
After receiving training from his teacher for fourteen years, Goenkaji
settled in India, and began teaching Vipassana in 1969. In a country
still sharply divided by differences of caste and religion, his
courses have attracted thousands of people from every part of society,
and from countries around the world.
Goenkaji has taught tens of thousands of people in more than 300
courses in India, and other countries. Meditation centres have been
established under his guidance in India, the US, Australia, New
Zealand, France, the UK, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Nepal
and other countries. The Sri Lanka Centre is at Dhammakuta in Hantana,
off Peradeniya.
Goenkaji's website states that the technique which he teaches, represents
a tradition that is traced back to the Buddha. The Buddha never
taught a sectarian religion; he taught Dhamma – the way to
liberation – which is universal. In the same tradition, Shri
Goenka's approach is totally non-sectarian. For this reason, his
teaching has a profound appeal to people of all backgrounds, of
every religion from every part of the world.
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