Satipatthana and Vipassana Meditation

Distinguished Mahasi Sayadaw U Sobhan (1904–1982) is a Buddhist monk held in the highest esteem in Burma, the creator of his own system of Vipassana meditation training within the Theravada tradition. Using his system, many meditation centers were organized both in Burma and in Western countries.

According to his system of Vipassana, the meditator should focus attention on “abdominal breathing”—the movements of the belly during inhalations and exhalations—as well as on other sensations and thoughts.

On May 17, 1954, Mahasi Sayadaw served as one of the chairpersons at the Sixth Buddhist Council in Yangon: he formulated questions for discussion and acted as the final editor.

When a yogi fully develops knowledge of impermanence, suffering, and non-self, they attain Nibbana. Since time immemorial, Buddhas, Arahats, and Ariyas (the Noble Ones) have attained Nibbana by means of this Vipassana method. This is the direct path leading to Nibbana. Vipassana consists of four “satipatthana”—applications of mindfulness—and in reality it is precisely “satipatthana” that serves as the main road to Nibbana.

Yogis who take up this course must remember that they are on the main road that the Buddhas, Arahats, and Ariyas (the Noble Ones) have traveled. They should sincerely rejoice at the opportunity, and they should feel confident that, without hesitation, by following this direct path, they will gain personal experience of developed concentration and wisdom—just as the Buddhas, Arahats, and Ariyas have already experienced. They will develop such a pure state of concentration that they have never experienced in their lives, and then they will enjoy many innocent joys as a result of developed concentration.