{"id":1597,"date":"2018-09-27T04:33:18","date_gmt":"2018-09-27T04:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/?p=1597"},"modified":"2018-09-27T04:33:18","modified_gmt":"2018-09-27T04:33:18","slug":"3-universal-truths-buddhism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html","title":{"rendered":"3 Universal Truths of Buddhism"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"backlit_beach_dawn_dusk_landscape_light_ocean_outdoors-1052313.jpg!d\"<\/a>Vipassana is known internationally as a silent meditation retreat program.\u00a0What is the philosophy\u00a0behind this program?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the Buddhist tradition,\u00a0vipassan\u0101 (P\u0101li) or vipa\u015byan\u0101 (Sanskrit: \u0935\u093f\u092a\u0936\u094d\u092f\u0928) is to see into the nature of reality or as\u00a0the official Vipassana website claims, it means to\u00a0“see things as they really are.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

\u0905\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0939\u0930\u0925 \u0905\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e \u0905\u0928\u091e\u094d\u200d\u091e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0964
\n\u0927\u092e\u094d\u092e\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0939\u0930\u0925 \u0927\u092e\u094d\u092e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e \u0905\u0928\u091e\u094d\u200d\u091e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0964\u0964<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

“Make an island of yourself,\u00a0make yourself your refuge; there is no other refuge.\u00a0Make truth your island,\u00a0make truth your refuge; there is no other refuge.”<\/em>
\n\u2014\u00a0Mah\u0101-Parinibb\u0101na Sutta, D\u012bgha Nik\u0101ya, 16.<\/p>\n

In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, vipassan\u0101\u00a0<\/em>refers to insight into the trinity of understanding the nature of reality in Buddha’s discourses, known as the Three Universal Truths:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. annica\u00a0<\/strong>(impermanence)<\/li>\n
  2. dukkha\u00a0<\/strong>(suffering or better translated as unsatisfying<\/em>)<\/li>\n
  3. anatto\u00a0<\/strong>(no self or the realisation of agelessness or non-self)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Whether the retreat and program initiated by S.N Goenka in the tradition of his teacher, the Burmese Government Minister,\u00a0Sayagyi U Ba Khin,\u00a0<\/em>is strictly-speaking Buddhist is a moot point.\u00a0Sayagyi U Ba Khin was the first Accountant General of Burma.<\/p>\n

    The process of Vipassana in this tradition, places the centre of awareness on bodily sensations. This consciousness of the rise and fall of the breath, and the changing nature of sensations, becomes a meditation on annica<\/em>(impermanence).<\/p>\n

    This philosophy subscribes to a belief that inner harmony comes from the observation of somatic experiences, and the more one observes oneself (essentially sits with the self), the more the mind becomes still, pure and harmonious. And in turn, the more the mind stills, the more\u00a0we become free from our suffering.<\/p>\n

    The Buddha taught \u015aamatha<\/em>(calm abiding) in tandem with\u00a0Vipassan\u0101<\/em>to reach Pa\u00f1\u00f1\u0101<\/em>(wisdom)<\/i>. These are required for a wholesome meditation practice.\u00a0<\/sup>In the P\u0101li canon, both these mental qualities are the pathway to developing a still mind.<\/p>\n

    \u015aamatha is the practice of calming the mind and its ‘sa\u1e45kh\u0101ra’\u00a0(mental defilements, agitations or formations \u0938\u0902\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e\u0930).\u00a0\u015aamatha is usually taught via single-pointed awareness or breath-mindfulness founded on \u015b\u012bla (morality).<\/p>\n

    In the modern Vipassana teaching, the philosophical focus always returns to\u00a0annica<\/em>(the changing nature of phenomena) as the gateway to\u00a0nirv\u0101\u1e47a (Pali: nibb\u0101na)\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/i><\/i>the liberation from suffering.<\/p>\n

    What did I learn from my Vipassana\u00a0retreat?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    How do we face our suffering and feel it without removing ourselves in drugs, alcohol, television, or mind-numbing foods?<\/p>\n

    Would I do it again?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I’ve subsequently sat two more retreats in this tradition.\u00a0I regard it as a prelude to exploring authentic Buddhism, and finding a sa\u1e45gha\u00a0(community). I feel like in many cases, because of its Draconian approach, it puts people off Buddhism for life, and often turns them off meditation too.<\/p>\n

    The focus on suffering in Vipassana seems more distinct than in other Buddhist traditions, with the exception of Zen Buddhism. I prefer a “softer” more Western approach for mushy<\/em>\u00a0people like me! I would also advocate the importance of having a writing pad or journal so you can write down your thoughts. Whilst sensory deprivation is helpful, writing things down is essential to clear the mind, otherwise, one constantly recycles or regurgitates the same thoughts for 10 days \u2014\u00a0often a shopping list of items, which can easily be written down. I also prefer having some reading matter.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Main Image via Pxhere<\/a>. You are awesome as you are, and I love you!\u00a0And if you love me back, please click \u2018share\u2019 up at the top!
    \nPlease follow me on Facebook:\u00a0    davidstarlyte<\/a>\u00a0and Instagram: davidstarlyte<\/a><\/p>\n

    New Meditation Transmissions available: Free Meditation Channel:
    \n    Starlyte Meditation<\/a>: please subscribe<\/a> for free updates.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Vipassana is known internationally as a silent meditation retreat program.\u00a0What is the philosophy\u00a0behind this program? In the Buddhist tradition,\u00a0vipassan\u0101 (P\u0101li) or vipa\u015byan\u0101 (Sanskrit: \u0935\u093f\u092a\u0936\u094d\u092f\u0928) is to see into the nature of reality or as\u00a0the official Vipassana website claims, it means to\u00a0“see things as they really are.” \u0905\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0939\u0930\u0925 \u0905\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e \u0905\u0928\u091e\u094d\u200d\u091e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0964 \u0927\u092e\u094d\u092e\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0939\u0930\u0925 \u0927\u092e\u094d\u092e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e \u0905\u0928\u091e\u094d\u200d\u091e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0964\u0964 “Make…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":570,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[963,209,560,68,130,140,220,51,17,12],"tags":[361,218,30,1159,1160,759,1144,1161,490,1162,1163,1025,751,1164],"class_list":["post-1597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ascension","category-awakening","category-buddhism","category-journey","category-meditation","category-mindfulness","category-personal-growth","category-self-development","category-suffering","category-transformation","tag-buddha","tag-consciousness","tag-ego","tag-embracing-numbness","tag-goenka","tag-meditation","tag-non-duality","tag-panna","tag-presence","tag-samatha","tag-sayagyi-u-ba-khin","tag-spirituality","tag-suffering","tag-vipassana"],"yoast_head":"\n3 Universal Truths of Buddhism - Healing and Transformation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"3 Universal Truths of Buddhism - Healing and Transformation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Vipassana is known internationally as a silent meditation retreat program.\u00a0What is the philosophy\u00a0behind this program? In the Buddhist tradition,\u00a0vipassan\u0101 (P\u0101li) or vipa\u015byan\u0101 (Sanskrit: \u0935\u093f\u092a\u0936\u094d\u092f\u0928) is to see into the nature of reality or as\u00a0the official Vipassana website claims, it means to\u00a0“see things as they really are.” \u0905\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0939\u0930\u0925 \u0905\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e \u0905\u0928\u091e\u094d\u200d\u091e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0964 \u0927\u092e\u094d\u092e\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0939\u0930\u0925 \u0927\u092e\u094d\u092e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e \u0905\u0928\u091e\u094d\u200d\u091e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0964\u0964 “Make…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Healing and Transformation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/starmentalhealth\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-09-27T04:33:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/files\/2018\/09\/backlit_beach_dawn_dusk_landscape_light_ocean_outdoors-1052313.jpgd_-1024x576.jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"David Starlyte\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@davidstarlyte\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"3 Universal Truths of Buddhism - Healing and Transformation","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"3 Universal Truths of Buddhism - Healing and Transformation","og_description":"Vipassana is known internationally as a silent meditation retreat program.\u00a0What is the philosophy\u00a0behind this program? In the Buddhist tradition,\u00a0vipassan\u0101 (P\u0101li) or vipa\u015byan\u0101 (Sanskrit: \u0935\u093f\u092a\u0936\u094d\u092f\u0928) is to see into the nature of reality or as\u00a0the official Vipassana website claims, it means to\u00a0“see things as they really are.” \u0905\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0939\u0930\u0925 \u0905\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e \u0905\u0928\u091e\u094d\u200d\u091e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0964 \u0927\u092e\u094d\u092e\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0939\u0930\u0925 \u0927\u092e\u094d\u092e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e \u0905\u0928\u091e\u094d\u200d\u091e\u0938\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0964\u0964 “Make…","og_url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html","og_site_name":"Healing and Transformation","article_author":"https:\/\/facebook.com\/starmentalhealth","article_published_time":"2018-09-27T04:33:18+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/files\/2018\/09\/backlit_beach_dawn_dusk_landscape_light_ocean_outdoors-1052313.jpgd_-1024x576.jpeg"}],"author":"David Starlyte","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@davidstarlyte","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html","name":"3 Universal Truths of Buddhism - Healing and Transformation","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/files\/2018\/09\/backlit_beach_dawn_dusk_landscape_light_ocean_outdoors-1052313.jpgd_-1024x576.jpeg","datePublished":"2018-09-27T04:33:18+00:00","dateModified":"2018-09-27T04:33:18+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/#\/schema\/person\/5d70922db39ca1c0813b3106d356588b"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html#primaryimage","url":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/files\/2018\/09\/backlit_beach_dawn_dusk_landscape_light_ocean_outdoors-1052313.jpgd_-1024x576.jpeg","contentUrl":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/files\/2018\/09\/backlit_beach_dawn_dusk_landscape_light_ocean_outdoors-1052313.jpgd_-1024x576.jpeg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/2018\/09\/3-universal-truths-buddhism.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"3 Universal Truths of Buddhism"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/","name":"Healing and Transformation","description":"Beliefnet Voices - David Zenon Starlyte","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/healingandtransformation\/#\/schema\/person\/5d70922db39ca1c0813b3106d356588b","name":"David Starlyte","description":"David is a holistic healer, writer and teacher. A health-science Degree graduate in Naturopathic Wellbeing with a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health from Nan Tien University, David's background includes over 20 years in the wellness industry with the last 12 of those being based in Australia. He has trained with Qi Gong masters in China and Buddhist monks in Thailand. He has even studied with kabbalists as a monastic in the Middle-East. As a channel for Divine wisdom, his intuitive coaching, speaking and healing sessions invoke purposeful shifts into deeper connection, inner peace and awakening. 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