S.N Goenka

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
makarasilapin
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by makarasilapin »

knighter wrote:Hello there

you seem really quite angry makarasilapin
I used to get like that before i completed a
10 day s.n. goenka vipassana course.
Be happy
knighter
haha, i'm not angry at all knighter. i know why you might be offended [as Goenka is your teacher?], but it is not my intention to offend you. i think all of my responses here have been reasonable.
knighter
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by knighter »

Hello there

All good makarasilapin i'm not offended
i was just havin a little joke.
Be happy
knighter
makarasilapin
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by makarasilapin »

knighter wrote: i was just havin a little joke.
that's something my brother would say! i'm glad i didn't offend you.

be well! :hug:
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Prasadachitta
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by Prasadachitta »

knighter wrote:Hello there

Prasadachitta it was a joke
just keeping things light hearted.
Be happy
knighter
Ahh.

Humor is a difficult thing to convey in text.

I think thats why we have these

:rolleye: :jumping: :rofl:
"Beautifully taught is the Lord's Dhamma, immediately apparent, timeless, of the nature of a personal invitation, progressive, to be attained by the wise, each for himself." Anguttara Nikaya V.332
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Prasadachitta
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by Prasadachitta »

retrofuturist wrote: I think it's also quite likely that some of the aspects which are out of scope of the technique are some of those which are less compatible with a secular presentation of vipassana. Recollecting the qualities of the Buddha or the Sangha for example, is going to restrict the more universal appeal of a technique which is not formally aligned to any religious denomination.

This seems odd to me. If its true that Non Buddhists(people who do not go for refuge to the three Jewels) are teaching, I think that may be fair grounds for not regarding them as Buddhist teachers much less "Theravada" teachers.
"Beautifully taught is the Lord's Dhamma, immediately apparent, timeless, of the nature of a personal invitation, progressive, to be attained by the wise, each for himself." Anguttara Nikaya V.332
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Monkey Mind
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by Monkey Mind »

Prasadachitta wrote:
retrofuturist wrote: This seems odd to me. If its true that Non Buddhists(people who do not go for refuge to the three Jewels) are teaching, I think that may be fair grounds for not regarding them as Buddhist teachers much less "Theravada" teachers.
There is more misinformation in this thread then useful information. All students accept refuge to the three Jewels at that start of the retreat. Assistant teachers more so, because they have been dedicated to and immersed in that technique for a long time. I have a great deal of respect for this tradition, I believe my first 10-day retreat was life-altering and inspired incredible faith in the Dhamma. My main criticism of this tradition [on a very short list], is that Mr. Goenka calls it "secular". It seems U Ba Khin was very clearly teaching a Buddhist tradition, and other lineage heirs who studied under U Ba Khin are also clearly teaching Buddhism. I think the "secular" label is so important to Mr. Goenka because it was his mission to bring this practice back to India.
"As I am, so are others;
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.

Sutta Nipāta 3.710
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convivium
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by convivium »

There is more misinformation in this thread then useful information.
not from me :roll:
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
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Monkey Mind
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by Monkey Mind »

convivium wrote:
There is more misinformation in this thread then useful information.
not from me :roll:
You are somewhere between here: :soap: and here: :stirthepot: , and it reads a bit like :alien:
"As I am, so are others;
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.

Sutta Nipāta 3.710
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convivium
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by convivium »

:rofl:
i'm a philosophy major at uc berkeley.
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
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Monkey Mind
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by Monkey Mind »

convivium wrote::rofl:
i'm a philosophy major at uc berkeley.
:jumping: Now it all makes sense! Good luck with that, philosophy was one of two classes I flunked in my college career, seems I just don't have an aptitude for it.
"As I am, so are others;
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.

Sutta Nipāta 3.710
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convivium
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by convivium »

goenka is perfect for certain people. too bad he's dead and all you get are his videos + ATs (some are better than others). the dharma isn't one size (technique) fits all. it obviously wasn't intended that way if you look at the pali canon. so yeah, go. learn it. but don't believe that it contains all the teachings of the buddha worth learning.
cute puppy ^^
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
Reductor
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by Reductor »

convivium wrote:goenka is perfect for certain people. too bad he's dead and all you get are his videos + ATs (some are better than others). the dharma isn't one size (technique) fits all. it obviously wasn't intended that way if you look at the pali canon. so yeah, go. learn it. but don't believe that it contains all the teachings of the buddha worth learning.
cute puppy ^^
Goenka isn't dead.
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convivium
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by convivium »

lol
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
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cooran
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by cooran »

My understanding is that Mr. Goenka is alive and well, and is a highly respected teacher in the Burmese tradition.

His retreats have been attended by large numbers of people in many countries throughout the world over time.

Though he is not my teacher - I have attended four ten day Goenka retreats over the years and found them to be reinvigorating when my practise was becoming lazy.

Much of this thread is unwholesome and unskilfull - please keep discussions polite and respectful, and based on searchable facts.

with metta
Chris
---The trouble is that you think you have time---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
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Ben
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Re: S.N Goenka

Post by Ben »

greggorious wrote:I didn't mean for this thread to become so argumentative. I was thinking of going on one of his 10 day retreats, and also want to go on a retreat at Amaravati in London. I like the fact that Theravada retreats are often free of charge, that seems almost Bodhisattva territory :smile:
Then go for it. I heartily recommend a ten-day course under the guidance of SN Goenka. I'm beginning to lose count of the number of courses I have done. Just keep in mind that it is structured and you will be asked to practice as per the instructions - while you are there. But if you choose to go to Amaravati instead - well and good. Whatever you choose, I wish you all the very best.
kind regards,

Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725

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