Vipassana: Encyclopedia II - Vipassana in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana

Vipassana - Vipassana in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana

Vipassana - In the Theravada

Vipassana as practiced in the Theravada is the understanding of the Four Noble Truths that were taught by the Buddha. It is understanding the transitory nature of phenomena and the selflessness of persons, that the conceptual consciousness, "I" does not exist.

Most of Theravada's teachers refer to knowledges evolving during practice. The meditator gradually improve his perception of the three marks of existence until he reaches the step sensations constantly disappear , which is called bhanga nupassana nana : knowledge of dissolution.

The yogi will then experience fear and ceasing of attachment, and eventually will reach the step of sankharupekkha jnana : knowledge of equanimity of formations. This step leads to the attainment of Nirvana.

Vipassana - In the Mahayana

Mahayana Vipassana consists of meditating on the two truths: conventional truth and absolute truth. One realizes that phenomena likewise have a lack of inherent existence, and have the nature of emptiness (Shunyata). This is determined by the inferential path of reasoning and direct observation through meditation.

Gradualism or subitism and the realisation is a debate in the Mahayana. Nevertheless, Huineng, sixth patriarch of the Chan, considered the practice cannot be described as gradualistic nor subist, but implies people with more or less clear minds.

Vipassana - In the Vajrayana

Mahamudra and Dzogchen use Vipashyana extensively, though in a different manner than in the Theravada. In the Vajrayana (Tantric) path, the true nature of mind is pointed out by the guru, and the practitioner takes the path of direct experience.

"In the Sutra path (Theravada) one proceeds by examining and analyzing phenomena, using reasoning. One recognizes that all phenomena lack any true existence and that all appearances are merely interdependently related and are without any inherent nature. They are empty yet apparent, apparent yet empty. The path of Mahamudra is different in that one proceeds using the instructions concerning the nature of mind that are given by one's guru. This is called taking direct perception or direct experiences as the path. The fruition of Shamatha is purity of mind, a mind undisturbed by false conception or emotional afflictions. The fruition of Vipashyana is knowledge (prajna) and pure wisdom (jnana). Jnana is called the wisdom of nature of phenomena and it comes about through the realization of the true nature of phenomena."

-Thrangu Rinpoche, Looking Directly at Mind : The Moonlight of Mahamudra

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Vipassana in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insight_Meditation, under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki