Lesson video

Hello, my name's Miss Ramelli, and welcome to today's RE lesson, which forms part of our Buddhism practises unit.

In today's lesson, we are going to be exploring the method of meditation called vipassana meditation.

Okay, let's begin.

Today's lesson outcome is I can explain the nature, purpose, and significance of vipassana meditation for Buddhists today.

To help guide us through today's lesson, there are four keywords.

The keywords are meditation, samatha, the three marks of existence, and vipassana, meaning insight.

Meditation is a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness.

Samatha is a method of meditation which is used to create a state of calmness.

The three marks of existence are the belief that all life involves and is marked by three features, dukkha, anicca, anatta, and vipassana is a method of meditation focused on insights into the true nature of things.

Today's lesson on vipassana meditation takes two parts, the nature and purpose of vipassana meditation, and then looking at the significance of vipassana meditation.

So we're gonna begin today's lesson by exploring the nature and purpose of vipassana meditation.

It was the practise of meditation beneath the Bodhi tree that enabled the Buddha following six years of meditative training to achieve enlightenment.

Consequently, meditation is essential in Buddhist practise, as followers of the Buddha seek to emulate the Buddha's path towards enlightenment.

Meditation features as part of the Buddhist Dharma.

Remember, Dharma means teachings.

Meditation features in the Eightfold Path as right concentration, the Threefold Way as meditation, and the Six Perfections, meditation.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Select three of the Buddha's teachings that contain reference to meditation.

A, the three marks of existence, B, the Eightfold Path, C, the Six Perfections, D, the Threefold Way.

Remember, for this check for understanding, you're looking to identify three answers.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

Well done if you selected B, C, and D, the Eightfold Path, the Six Perfections, and the Threefold Way all contain reference to meditation.

There are different methods of meditation.

Here are some examples of the different types.

Samatha meditation, so focusing on creating a state of calmness, vipassana meditation, which focuses on gaining insight, metta bhavana meditation, which focuses on creating loving kindness, and zazen meditation, which focuses on the present moment.

The two main methods of meditation practised by the Buddha are samatha meditation and vipassana meditation.

The term vipassana has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit language.

Vi meaning intense or powerful, passana meaning seeing.

So vipassana can translate to mean insight into the true nature of reality.

Samatha and vipassana meditation are methods practised by most Theravada Buddhists.

The differences in the meditation methods are that samatha meditation, the main purpose is to develop a calm and concentrated mind, and the nature of that form of meditation will be to focus on a process or an object known as a kasina.

So for example, a Buddhist might focus on the process of their breathing, or they may use a kasina as an object to focus on, for example, a bowl of water.

The purpose of vipassana meditation is to gain insight into the true nature of reality as characterised by the three marks of existence.

The nature of this form of meditation is that the focus can change.

So for example, from the body to a sound that is heard when meditating.

Ajahn, a British Theravada Buddhist, explains the connection between samatha and vipassana meditation.

Ajahn says, "I start with the samatha meditation to help calm my mind.

I might do this by focusing on my breathing to feel more peaceful.

Once my mind's calm, I use vipassana.

I notice how things change, like sensations coming and going.

Vipassana gives me insight." So some Buddhists will start with samatha meditation to focus and calm their mind, and then move on to vipassana meditation.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Select the two main methods of meditation practised by the Buddha.

A, vipassana, B, zazen, c, samatha.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Well done if you selected A and C.

Vipassana and samatha are the two main methods of meditation practised by the Buddha.

Lucas has a question.

He asks, "Do all Theravada Buddhists meditate in this way, Ajahn?" Ajahn replies, "No, not all Theravada Buddhists practise meditation in the same way.

In the Yuganaddha Sutta, where four possible paths to enlightenment are discussed, the Buddha supports flexibility of meditation practise, showing that both samatha and the vipassana are essential, but they can be developed in different orders depending on the person." The Buddha taught about the flexibility of meditation in the Yuganaddha Sutta.

It says, "There is the case where a monk has developed insight preceded by tranquillity.

Then there is a case where a monk has developed tranquillity preceded by insight.

As he develops tranquillity preceded by insight, the path is born." What does this first highlight about the order in which samatha and vipassana meditation is carried out? Pause the video here, and with your partner or on your own, consider an answer to that question.

Press play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Great discussions.

Welcome back.

So what does this first highlight about the order in which samatha and vipassana meditation is carried out? So whether vipassana, remember, meaning insight meditation, comes before samatha, meaning tranquillity or calmness, or samatha comes before vipassana, the end result is the same.

Whether vipassana comes before samatha, or samatha comes before vipassana, the end result is the same.

True or false? All Theravada Buddhists practise meditation in the same way.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you selected false.

The Buddha supported flexibility in meditation practise, so not all Theravada Buddhists will practise meditation in the same way.

Lucas asks, "Ajahn, vipassana is known as insight meditation.

What does it give insight to?" Ajahn responds, "Vipassana meditation gives me insight and wisdom into seeing things as they really are.

For example, it allows me insight into the Buddhist Dharma on the three marks of existence.

The realisation and understanding of the impermanence of all things and the nature of reality involving suffering.

It is not just about focusing on breathing, it is also about focusing on exploration." The Buddha taught the three marks of existence.

These are three characteristics that are universal to all things.

They are dukkha, all life involves suffering, anicca, nothing is permanent, and anatta, there is no fixed self or no soul.

Lucas has another question.

"How do the three marks of existence link to vipassana meditation, Ajahn? Ajahn says, "Whilst practising vipassana meditation, I observe dukkha, annica, and anatta in my own body and mind.

This insight leads to increased wisdom of the Buddhist Dharma.

This insight decreases my attachment to greed, feelings of hatred and ignorance.

I believe that this insight will ultimately lead me to achieve enlightenment and attain the Nibbana, which is freedom from the cycle of samsara, and the end of suffering." Lucas has a question for Dom.

"As a British Zen Buddhist, do you practise for vipassana meditation, Dom?" Dom replies, "I practise a similar form of meditation, but it is called zazen meditation.

Zazen is a Japanese word meaning seated meditation.

I began practising zazen meditation after spending a year working in Japan.

I practise this method to gain insight into the true nature of existence.

I simply sit, focus on my breath, and notice thoughts as they rise and fall.

By not following them, I gain insights into the present moment." True or false? The purpose of zazen meditation is to gain a state of calmness.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

The purpose of zazen meditation is to gain insight into the true nature of existence.

Okay, so now we're going to pause and complete our first practise task.

So here we have the statement, vipassana is the most useful method of meditation.

In your answer, you should refer to Buddhist teachings.

Give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view.

Sam has written the first part of this answer.

Provide an alternative view.

So Sam has said, "Some Buddhists might disagree because they believe that samatha is the most useful method of meditation.

This is because developing a calm state of mind is essential.

Without a calm mind, vipassana meditation would not be possible." Remember to refer to Buddhist teachings and give a reasoned argument to support a different point of view to the one that Sam has given.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video now and press play when you are ready to check your answers.

Welcome back, everybody.

So you were given the statement, vipassana is the most useful method of meditation.

Your answer may include these points.

Some Buddhists would agree with this statement because vipassana meditation gives insight and wisdom into the true nature of reality.

For example, it allows insight into the Buddhist Dharma on the three marks of existence, the realisation and understanding of the impermanence of all things and the nature of reality involving suffering.

Buddhists need this insight to achieve enlightenment and attain Nibbanna, freedom from the cycle of samsara, which is the end of suffering.

Fantastic.

Well done on completing the first practise task.

Now we're gonna move on to the second part of today's lesson on vipassana meditation by exploring the significance of vipassana meditation.

Vipassana meditation is significant because it is believed to have been taught by the Buddha.

Vipassana meditation focuses on purifying the mind and eliminating ignorance.

Insight into the three marks of existence is significant to achieving enlightenment.

Sam asks, "As a Theravada Buddhist monk, why is vipassana meditation significant to you, Niti?" Niti replies, "Vipassana meditation is significant to me because it helps me develop mindfulness and get rid of negative attachments which cause suffering.

If I'm feeling fearful or worried, I focus on the impermanent nature of my fear or worry.

I recognise that nothing is permanent, and this insight makes me feel calmer and eliminates my suffering." How does vipassana meditation help Niti? Pause the video here and either speak to me, or if you have a partner, talk to your partner and consider, how does vipassana meditation help Niti? Press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

True or false? Vipassana meditation helps Buddhists by focusing on the permanent nature of fears and worries.

Pause the video.

Press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said this statement is false.

Vipassana meditation helps Buddhists by focusing on the impermanent nature of fears and worries.

Ajahn, a Theravada Buddhist monk, explains why vipassana meditation is significant to him.

He said, "Vipassana is used by the Buddha as a way of eliminating suffering.

By understanding the nature of desires and how they arise, I'm able to understand anicca and become at one with myself rather than battling desires in my mind.

Vipassana is significant because it highlights the element of cultivation and training of the mind to accept and reject desire, just as the Buddha rejected the temptations of Mara." Niti and Ajahn further explain why vipaasana meditation is significant to them.

Niti tells us, "Vipassana meditation is significant to me because I want to follow the example of the Buddha to achieve enlightenment and reach Nibbanna, too.

I practise vipassana daily." Ajahn says, "Vipassana helps me seek the truth about reality and develop wisdom.

I aim to gain insight into the true reality by reflecting on the Buddha's Dharma during meditation." Vipassana meditation therefore is significant to Buddhists because it develops insight and wisdom, it develops mindfulness.

The Buddha used this method of meditation to achieve enlightenment, it helps overcome ignorance, and it reduces dukkha.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Select two reasons why vipassana meditation is significant to Buddhists.

A, it develops insight and wisdom, B, it develops ignorance, and C, the Buddha used this method of meditation.

Pause the video and then press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Well done if you selected A and C.

Two reasons why vipassana meditation is significant to Buddhists is because it develops insight and wisdom, and the Buddha used this method of meditation.

So here we're going to complete our second practise task.

Explain two reasons why Vipassana meditation is significant to Buddhists.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching in your answer.

Here is some guidance that you might like to follow whilst answering the question.

The question asks for two reasons, so you'd need to give two points and develop each point.

Remember to name and use a source and explain what it says or what it teaches.

So this might be a quotation or a general belief or teaching.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Okay, fantastic.

Well done, everybody.

So the question was, explain two reasons why vipassana meditation is significant to Buddhists.

Your answer may look something like this.

One reason vipassana meditation is significant to Buddhists is because it gives insights into the three marks of existence, the belief that all life is marked by three features, dukkha, anicca, and anatta.

This insight means Buddhists can begin to let go of attachment and ignorance and reduce suffering.

Another reason for vipassana meditation is significant to Buddhists is because it is how the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Practising vipassana is a way to walk the same path that Buddha took, cultivating insight and wisdom.

Enlightenment and ultimately reaching Nibbana is the ultimate goal for most Buddhists.

So what you can see in this answer is that you have two reasons.

Each reason has been developed, and there is reference to a source and teaching, which in this case is the three marks of existence.

Fantastic.

Well done on all of your hard work completing the practise task today.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on vipassana meditation, and here is a summary of our key learning points.

Vipassana meditation is one of the two forms of meditation taught by the Buddha.

Many Buddhists perform samatha meditation before practising vipassana.

Vipassana develops insight into the true nature of reality, particularly as defined by the three marks of existence, impermanence, anicca, suffering, dukkha, and non-self, anatta.

The Buddha used vipassana to overcome ignorance and suffering, and through regular practise, vipassana enables Buddhists to progress to towards enlightenment, and ultimately, Nibbana, which is freedom from suffering.

Thank you very much for joining me for today's RE lesson.

Goodbye.