Doctrinal Backgrounds of Vipassana-Meditation: Insight in Current Methods and According to Canonical Sources

Vipassana-meditation (or practice) has become popular in South East Asia and the West. However, these practices aiming at reaching insight are taught in many varieties. The focus of this book is on the doctrinal sources of a number of vipassana-practices.

Part one considers a collection of methods by modern teachers and scholar-monks about vipassana-meditation, and compares these with the canonical Pali discourses they refer to.

In Part two the author analyses which principles related to insight and practices to develop insight have been widely accepted in the Pali discourses. Futhermore, a comparison with some discourses available in English from Chinese versions is offered.

This study is written for those who have a practical or theoretical interest in meditation techniques such as mindfulness and vipassana. In particular participants in retreats, who note that many different methods are taught, will find this a useful book.

René van Oosterwijk recently studied Languages and Cultures of India and Tibet at Leiden University and more Buddhology with Bhikkhu Pasadika (Prof. Bangert) in Marburg. For this research, the author has extensively studied the sources and also acquired practical experience in several Thai monasteries.