The purpose of this study was undertaken at Mahāsī Meditation Center on the topic “A Study of Vipassanā Teaching Techniques in English of Vipassanā Masters at Mahāsī Meditation Center in Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar”. This study consists of two objectives, namely; 1) To study the Vipassanā teaching techniques in English of Vipassanā masters at MMC 2) To find out the practical Vipassanā teaching techniques in English of Vipassanā masters at MMC in Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar. This study is a documentary and qualitative research with two parts of data collection; the first is an interview with professional meditation teachers, second to study from textbooks, thesis, academic journals. Researcher attempted to elaborate and elucidate how the techniques are effective to gain expected benefits. 

 

The Vipassanā meditation technique taught by Mahāsī Sayādaw is characterized by the meditator anchoring his attention on the rising and falling sensations of the abdomen, making that the primary point of observation. 

 

The reason for this is that the rising and falling of the abdomen are always present making that a suitable place for observing the transient and impermanent nature of phenomena. The breath rises and falls all the time. In the same way all phenomena both physically and mentally rise and fall incessantly. Having an anchor serves as a way for the mind to not get lost.

 

In beginning of meditation practice the mind is like a little child always running out to the objects and getting lost. Having an anchor means that the meditator can always come back to the abdomen if things get too intense meaning if e.g. feelings or thoughts get too intense when observing them. 

 

The meditator then carefully observed the five aggregates, i.e. form, feeling, perceptions, mental formations and consciousness. One did not interact with the objects of meditation. One simply observed them. One did not have to do anything. One only has to be a witness. 

 

The second part of the technique which is specific to the Mahāsī Sayādaw method is “noting”. Noting can also be understood as “naming or labelling” of the object that are currently being observed. It can also mean to “remind” oneself of the current object being observed so that the mind will not stray or follow after the object, identifying with it and getting lost. 

The purpose of this study was undertaken at Mahāsī Meditation Center on the topic “A Study of Vipassanā Teaching Techniques in English of Vipassanā Masters at Mahāsī Meditation Center in Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar”. This study consists of two objectives, namely; 1) To study the Vipassanā teaching techniques in English of Vipassanā masters at MMC 2) To find out the practical Vipassanā teaching techniques in English of Vipassanā masters at MMC in Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar. This study is a documentary and qualitative research with two parts of data collection; the first is an interview with professional meditation teachers, second to study from textbooks, thesis, academic journals. Researcher attempted to elaborate and elucidate how the techniques are effective to gain expected benefits. 

 

The Vipassanā meditation technique taught by Mahāsī Sayādaw is characterized by the meditator anchoring his attention on the rising and falling sensations of the abdomen, making that the primary point of observation. 

 

The reason for this is that the rising and falling of the abdomen are always present making that a suitable place for observing the transient and impermanent nature of phenomena. The breath rises and falls all the time. In the same way all phenomena both physically and mentally rise and fall incessantly. Having an anchor serves as a way for the mind to not get lost.

 

In beginning of meditation practice the mind is like a little child always running out to the objects and getting lost. Having an anchor means that the meditator can always come back to the abdomen if things get too intense meaning if e.g. feelings or thoughts get too intense when observing them. 

 

The meditator then carefully observed the five aggregates, i.e. form, feeling, perceptions, mental formations and consciousness. One did not interact with the objects of meditation. One simply observed them. One did not have to do anything. One only has to be a witness. 

 

The second part of the technique which is specific to the Mahāsī Sayādaw method is “noting”. Noting can also be understood as “naming or labelling” of the object that are currently being observed. It can also mean to “remind” oneself of the current object being observed so that the mind will not stray or follow after the object, identifying with it and getting lost.