A STUDY ON VIPASSANA MEDITATION PRACTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROACH OF VIPASSANA CENTER OF BODHI WANNA FOUNDATION

Abstract

This research article included three objectives namely: (1) To study the Vipassana meditation practice in Theravada Buddhism in accordance with the approach of Vipassana Center of Bodhi Wanna Foundaion; (2) To study the result of practicing Vipassana meditation in Theravada Buddhism in accordance with the approach of Vipassana Center of Bodhi Wanna Foundation; (3)To propose the guideline for the knowledge development and practice of Vipassana meditation in Theravada Buddhism in accordance with the approach of Vipassana Center of Bodhi Wanna Foundation. It was a qualitative and quantitative research by studying the documents and collecting the data through in-depth interviews. The informants were a group of 20 experts and 204 practitioners. Data were collected by questionnaires. The results of this research were as followings:  1. The practice of Vipassana meditation in Theravada Buddhism in accordance with the guidelines of the Vipassana Foundation of Vipassana Center was emphasized on the practice following Satipatthana 4 or foundations of mindfulness including: 1) Kayanupassana or contemplation of the body; 2) Vedananupassana or contemplation of feelings; 3) Cittanupassana or contemplation of mind; and 4) Dhammanupassana or contemplation of mind-objects. The practice consisted of: 1) walking and sitting meditation; 2) practicing posture and bodily movement; and 3) assessing the meditation.

1. The overall average opinions of the Vipassana practitioners towards the practice of Vipassana meditation in accordance with the approach of the Bodhi Wanna Meditation Center was at 4.45 or at the high level. The overall and by aspect comparisons of opinions of Vipassana practitioners classified by age, education, occupation, status were not significantly different at the .05 level.