Vipassana Dhamma Information in English

1) Meditation makes you happier. People who meditate generally lead happier lives than those who don’t. Meditation is known to enhance the flow of constructive thoughts and positive emotions. Even a few minutes spent meditating regularly can make a big difference. Scientific evidence supports this claim: extensive studies were conducted on a group of Buddhist monks as they were meditating. The pre-frontal cortex of the monks’ brains (the part associated with happiness) was found to be extra active. 2) Meditation helps you manage anxiety, stress and depression. The transformative potential of meditation shouldn’t be underestimated. Studies conducted at the University of Wisconsin proved that meditation has physiological effects on the brain. For example, researchers found that the part of the brain that regulates stress and anxiety shrinks when meditation is practiced consistently. By focusing on moment-by-moment experiences, meditators are training the mind to remain calm, even in stre

 Benefits of Buddha's Teaching

(From a talk given by S.N. Goenka on January 15, 1976, on the occasion of the founding of Dhamma Thali, Jaipur, Rajasthan.) The taste of Dhamma surpasses all other tastes. Other tastes do not quench craving, they increase it. Only the taste of Dhamma puts an end to all craving. It quenches it. Hence it is the best. The gift of Dhamma surpasses all other dana. Giving dana towards a person's worldly needs, although beneficial, gives a temporary benefit a limited benefit. But the gift of Dhamma gives enormous benefit, boundless benefit. By this dana, from whatever misery one becomes freed, this freedom is forever. From whatever bondage one becomes freed, this freedom is forever. Hence the dana of Dhamma is greater than any other dana. The dana of Dhamma excels all other dana; the flavour of Dhamma excels all other flavours. The delight in Dhamma surpasses all delights; The destruction of craving overcomes all suffering. -Dhammapada, XXIV, (354). The dana of Dhamma is given by teaching

(George Poland is a senior assistant teacher and a medical doctor practicing in Quebec, Canada.) The purpose of Vipassana meditation is to liberate the mind, not to cure physical disease. Nevertheless, meditation shares a common goal with the practice of medicine: the alleviation of suffering. In medicine there are many ways of approaching this goal, each with its own system of treatment. The basic procedure, however, remains the same: we must discover the cause of the suffering and eradicate this cause. Then suffering will naturally come to an end. In treating acute illness, a doctor usually tries to strike at the root cause of the malady in order to restore the patient to health. At the same time, various methods may be used to reduce the patient’s suffering. While the process of healing is going on, for example, a patient with a throat infection may be given antibiotics to eradicate the invading bacteria, as well as painkillers to reduce discomfort. However, patients suffering from

Yasodhara was the daughter of King Suppabuddha and Queen Pamita. Yasodhara was born on the same day as Prince Siddhattha. She was exquisitely beautiful, with golden skin and blue-back hair that cascaded down to her feet. Prince Siddhattha was sixteen when His parents decided that it was a suitable time for Him to marry. As was the custom at that time, a great celebration was held and princesses from all over the country were brought in procession for the Prince to choose from. None of them attracted His attention. The Prince treated them with gifts but refused them all. The procession was almost finished when Yasodhara came rushing in, to inquire if there were any gifts left for her. The Prince then arose from His throne, and taking the pearl necklace that adorned His person, gently placed it around her neck. Prince Siddhattha chose Yasodhara, to be His bride. At first King Suppabuddha was against the marriage. He knew that the wise men had foretold that Siddhattha would leave the pala