A Comparative Study of Goenka Vipassana and OSHO Meditation：A Case Study of 10 day Vipassana Courses

• Main Authors: Su-Sheng Lin, 林恕聖
• Other Authors: Yu-Hsi Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/uu7h8d

碩士 === 佛光大學 === 生命與宗教學系 === 103 === Vipassana is a way of meditation by which Buddha attained enlightenment. There are many different systems of Vipassana meditation disseminated to Europe, U.S.A, and around the world from Myanmar and Thailand since the 1980s. It has become a cross-continental and cross-cultural phenomenon. S.N. Goenka, founder of Vipassana Meditation Center, who came from Myanmar, first visited Taiwan in 1995 and started 10-day Vipassana meditation courses there. His meditation method has been introduced for over twenty years and practitioners increased steadily. Besides, New Age Movement has also been disseminated to Taiwan since the early 80s, to give a kind of Western spiritual perspective that includes the culture of Eastern traditional religion, opposition of all dogmas and constraints from religions, and an emphasis on the elevation of human nature. There was one debatable person: Osho, who exerted a deep influence on the world. His thought and ideas have been translated into Chinese and published as popular books. There are over 140 books of Osho published so far(2015) in Taiwan. A variety of meditation methods, therapy groups and courses have been introduced and flourished in Taiwan. This research aims to deal with the thoughts and methods of Vipassana meditation, and how to practice. The 10-day Vipassana Course is used as a sample to compare the differences and similarities in thoughts, methods and disciplines of Vipassana as taught by Goenka and Osho. This is done through bibliographical and comparative studies. Goenka and Osho are found to be in full accord in their praises for the Buddha and his Vipassana. Each of them has his own way to talk about the greatness of Buddha and the science of Vipassana from a different perspective and height. Both of them consider Vipassana as scientific, and do not think they are practicing a religion. Both of them disapprove of blind belief, but teach that one believes and practices after "firsthand experience and understanding". In terms of method, Goenka follows the instruction of Buddha. On the basis of keeping the Five Precepts(sīla-visuddhi), the student starts to practice " mindfulness of breathing"(Ānāpānasati), and the concentration of mind (practice of “samādhi”); Then the student proceeds to practice Vipassana by observing sensations throughout the body, understanding their nature, and developing equanimity by learning not to react to them (practice of “paññā”). By contrast, Osho emphasizes the importance of "Relaxation". He points out that modern practitioners have a need to attain the state of relaxation before starting to do Vipassana. One can choose to observe the movement of the body, or the rise and fall of the abdomen, or to breathe in and out through the nose. Goenka considers it necessary to practice “Metta bhavana”(practice of loving-kindness ) in Vipassana meditaion; However, Osho thinks that there is no need to do metta practice because it is a result of meditation., so it is enough to put emphasis on meditation. In terms of discipline, Goenka's view is: The groundwork of practice is keeping precepts., and anyone who wants to practice Dhamma has to start from keeping precepts; . On the other hand, Osho's opinion is: To find your inner voice is the essence of religion, and you do not need any kind of discipline if you can listen to your heart.