Global Vipassana Pagoda

[AtulaSiriwardane]

Global Vipassana Pagoda

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Building Type Meditation Hall Architectural style Burmese Structural system Stone dome, with self-supporting interlocking stones Location Mumbai, India Construction Started 2001 Completed 2008 Design team Architect Chandubhai Sompura Structural engineer ? The Global Vipassana Pagoda is a notable monument in Mumbai, India. This monument was inaugurated by Pratibha Patil, the President of India on February 8, 2009.[1] It is located in the north of Mumbai in an area called Gorai and is built on donated land on a peninsula between Gorai creek and the Arabian Sea. The Global Pagoda is built out of gratitude to the Buddha, his teaching and the community of monks practicing his teaching. Its traditional Burmese design is an expression of gratitude towards the country of Myanmar for preserving the practice of Vipassana. The shape of the pagoda is a copy of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. It is being built combining ancient Indian and modern technology to enable it to last for at least 2000 years.[citation needed]

Description

The center of the Global Pagoda contains the world's largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars. The height of the building is 96.12 meters, which is twice the size of the previously largest hollow stone monument in the world, the Gol Gumbaz Dome in Bijapur, India. External diameter of the largest section of the dome is 97.46m and the shorter sections is 94.82m. Internal diamter of the dome is 85.15m.[2] The inside of the pagoda is hollow and serves as a very large meditation hall with an area covering more than 6000 m2 (65,000 ft2). The massive inner dome seats over 8000 people enabling them to practice the non-sectarian Vipassana meditation as taught by Mr S.N. Goenka and now being practiced in over 100 countries. An inaugural one-day meditation course was held at the pagoda on December 21 2008, with Mr S.N. Goenka in attendance as the teacher.
The aim of the pagoda complex is, among others, to express gratitude to Gautama Buddha for dispensing for what followers believe is a universal teaching for the eradication of suffering, to educate the public about the life and teaching of the Buddha, and to provide a place for the practice of meditation. 10-day vipassana meditation courses are held free of charge at the meditation centre that is part of the Global Pagoda complex.[3]

Construction history


Timeline

Meditators seated inside the Global Pagoda dome.


Planning for the construction of the Global Pagoda began in 1997, while actual building work started in 2001. The pagoda consists of three sub-domes. The first and lagest dome was completed in October 2006 when bone relics of Gautama Buddha were enshrined in the central locking stone of the dome on October 29 2006, making it the world's largest structure containing relics of the Buddha. The relics were originally found in the stupa at Sanchi. They have been donated by the Mahabodhi Society of India and the prime minister of Sri Lanka to be kept at the Global Pagoda.[4] [5] The second and third domes sit atop the first dome. Construction of the third dome was structurally completed on November 21 2008.
The Global Pagoda complex is still under construction with plans to include a museum depicting the life and teaching of Gautama Buddha that is expected to draw one hundred thousand visitors annually. The Global Pagoda's educational displays will communicate the Buddha's universal teaching as a path towards real happiness.
The Global Pagoda complex will consist of the following structures:

• Pagoda dome containing relics of Buddha (complete)
• Vipassana meditation centre Dhamma Pattana (complete)
• Museum depicting life of the Buddha
• Two smaller pagodas on the north and south side (north pagoda complete)
• Library and study rooms
• Circumambulation path around the dome
• Administration building (complete)
• Underground parkade

• www.dhamma.org: Vipassana Meditation
• globalpagoda.org: Official Site
• Great Global Pagoda 16-minute film documenting the vision for the Global Pagoda
• The Global Pagoda: Monument of Gratitude Book commemorating the Pagoda's construction, from Pariyatti Press
• Asia's spectacular monument of gratitude 2006 Asia Times article
• India's President to inaugurate Global Vipassana Pagoda Press release
• Indigenous tribute to the Buddha Online news artcile in The Hindu
• World's Largest Stone Dome Rises National Geographic video on the construction of the Pagoda

 

[X men]

tnx for the info..

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

Sri Satya Narayan Goenka (born 1924) is a leading lay teacher of Vipassanā meditation and a student of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. He is married to Ilaichidevi Goenka, who sits as co-teacher with him. They have six sons.
SN Goenka emphasises that, "The Buddha never taught a sectarian religion; he taught Dhamma - the way to liberation - which is universal" and presents his teachings as non-sectarian and open to people of all faiths or no faith. Goenka calls Vipassana meditation an experiential scientific practice, through which one can observe the constantly changing nature of the mind and body at the deepest level, a profound understanding that leads to a truly happy and peaceful life

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Biography

Born in Mandalay, Burma to Indian parents, Goenka was raised a Hindu[1] and, as an adult, became an industrialist and leader of the Burmese Indian community. After developing an interest in meditation in an effort to overcome chronic migraines, he began studying with U Ba Khin, a senior civil servant in the newly independent Burmese government. U Ba Khin was a renowned meditation teacher who had played an important role in the Sixth Buddhist Council of 1954-1956 and was one of the leaders of a Vipassana-centered reform movement that had exerted a positive influence on standards in public life. U Ba Khin had a number of students who teach U Ba Khin's style of vipassana meditation. Goenka became U Ba Khin's most prominent student and went on to found an international network of teaching centers, based at Dhammagiri in India. U Ba Khin's original center continues to function in Rangoon, Burma, guided by Mother Sayamagyi, along with 6 branch centres around the world.
Goenka is a prolific orator, writer and a poet. He writes in English, Hindi and Rajasthani languages. He has traveled widely and lectured to audiences worldwide including at the World Economic Forum, Davos, in the year 2000 and at the “Millennium World Peace Summit” at the United Nations in August, 2000 [2]. For four months in 2002, he undertook the Meditation Now Tour of North America.
Goenka has envisioned a nearly 100-meter-tall Global Pagoda to serve as an inspiration for spreading vipassana meditation around the world. Construction of the dome was recently finished and a one day course for old students in the tradition was held there on December 21st, 2008.



Teachings

Students are encouraged to examine and test their own experience at the experiential level by observing themselves with equanimity, and examining the results. The technique involves adherence to a moral code and the observation of sensations.
To quiet the mind during Vipassana courses, students are asked to have no contact with the outside world or other students, though they may talk to an assistant teacher about questions concerning the technique or to a student manager for any material problems. Mere observation of breath allows the mind to become naturally concentrated, a practice called Anapana. This concentration prepares one for the main part of the practice -- non-attached observation of the reality of the present moment, as it manifests in one's own mind and body. This is the Vipassana practice itself which involves carefully "scanning" the surface of the body with one's attention and observing the sensations with equanimity, becoming progressively more aware of their ever-changing nature.
Goenka explains in his talks that the practice of Vipassana is the essence of the path of Dhamma, the path to Truth. He does not claim that this Vipassana tradition is the only way to Truth, and constantly reminds students of the Universal and non-sectarian quality of this path. However he claims that an authentic tradition survived in Burma, passing from teacher to student in a long lineage from the time of the Buddha to his teacher, U Ba Khin, and now through himself, to the student.
In his courses and lectures Goenka describes Vipassana meditation Goenka as a scientific investigation of the mind-matter phenomenon. .

Meditation centers


The entrance to the Prachinburi Vipassana Meditation Center, Thailand.



The main Dhamma hall in the Prachinburi Vipassana Meditation Center, Thailand.



A personal room in the Prachinburi Vipassana Meditation Center, Thailand (reading materials are usually not allowed until the last day).


The Vipassana Meditation Centers that he has helped to establish throughout the world offer 10-day courses that provide a thorough and guided introduction to the practice of Vipassana meditation. These courses are supported by voluntary donations of people who want to contribute for future courses. There are no charges for either the course or for the lodging and boarding during the course.
With the ever-growing number of people learning Vipassana from these centers, Goenka tries to ensure that the whole network does not become a sectarian religion or cult. He recommends the expansion should be for the benefit of others, not mere expansion for the sake of expansion due to any blind belief -- but with the intention may more people benefit, rather than for the sake of your own organization's growth. Through the application process, however, much effort is made to prepare potential students for the rigorous and serious nature of the intensive 10-day meditation.

People with serious mental disorders have occasionally come to Vipassana courses with the unrealistic expectation that the technique will cure or alleviate their mental problems. Unstable interpersonal relationships and a history of various treatments can be additional factors which make it difficult for such people to benefit from, or even complete, a ten-day course. Our capacity as a nonprofessional volunteer organization makes it impossible for us to properly care for people with these backgrounds. Although Vipassana meditation is beneficial for most people, it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment and we do not recommend it for people with serious psychiatric disorders.
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The organization of the centers are de-centralized and self-sufficient, and may be run by volunteers of varying experience, which may account for differences in attitudes and experiences. In an effort to provide a more uniform experience in all of the centers, all public instruction during the retreat is given by audio and video tapes of Goenka. When asked about problems related to growth and expansion, Goenka is quoted as:

The cause of the problem is included in the question. When these organizations work for their own expansion, they have already started rotting. The aim should be to increase other people’s benefits. Then there is a pure Dhamma volition and there is no chance of decay. When there is a Dhamma volition, "May more and more people benefit," there is no attachment. But if you want your organization to grow, there is attachment and that pollutes Dhamma.[citation needed]
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While students practice Goenka's Vipassana technique at the meditation centres, they agree to refrain from practicing any other religious practices. Concerning practices of other religions, Goenka says, "Understand. The names of many practices are all words of pure Dhamma, of Vipassana. But today the essence is lost; it is just a lifeless shell that people perform. And that has no benefit."

Vipassana Research Institute

He believes that theory and practice should go hand-in-hand and accordingly has also established a Vipassana Research Institute to investigate and publish literature on Vipassana and its effects.

Documentary: "Doing Time, Doing Vipassana"

A documentary was made about the introduction of S.N. Goenka' Vipassana 10-day classes to Tihar Jail in the early 1990's by former Inspector General of Prisons in New Delhi, Kiran Bedi. Ms. Bedi first had her guards trained, then she had Mr. Goenka give his initial class to 1,000 prisoners.

• The documentary is available as a 52-minute DVD, ISBN 1-928706-26-6 from [1].
• More information about teaching S.N. Goenka's Vipassana in prisons may be found at [2] .

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

Global Vipassana Pagoda inaugurated in Mumbai

PTI
Sunday, February 8, 2009 15:55 IST

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Mumbai: Mumbai's newest landmark, the majestic 325-feet tall Global Vipassana Pagoda, the tallest pillar-less dome in the world, was dedicated as a "world monument of peace and harmony" by President Pratibha Patil on Sunday.
The structure looms majestically over the GVF complex, spread over 13 acres of lush greenery, near picturesque Gorai in northwest Mumbai, barely a kilometre from the Arabian Sea. Pagodas are multi-tiered structures common in China, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and other countries where Buddhism is followed.
The structure measures 280 feet in diameter and 90 feet in height, and is flanked by two 60-ft tall pagodas.
Among the personalities present at the event were Maharashtra Governor S.C. Jamir, Ministers Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel, state Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra and her husband Robert Vadra, several ministers, foreign dignitaries, members of the diplomatics corps in Mumbai, representatives of all religions, Global Vipassana Foundation (GVF) founder S.N. Goenka and GVF chairman Subhash Chandra.
"The people of Myanmar donated the marble used for the flooring and the umbrella placed atop the pagoda. The people of Thailand donated the golden paint typically used in pagodas, which is not available in India. In addition, a student's family donated the land while other past students of Vipassana contributed around Rs.800 million to construct the entire structure," said Chandra.
Vipassana is an ancient Indian meditation technique. According to GVF trustee Vallabh Bhanshali, it is a non-sectarian, rational process of mental purification through self-observation, practised in 140 countries, irrespective of caste, class, religion, race or sex.
Designed by Indian architect Chandubhai Sompura on the lines of the She Dagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, this pagoda is a hollow structure, having a dome of 280 feet diameter. Below it is a massive 6,000-sq pillar-less meditation hall which can accommodate 8,000 people at a time.
The dome is more than three times the size of the large masonry structure - the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Karnataka, which is 90 feet in diameter. The original bone relics of Gautam Buddha, donated by the Sri Lankan government and the Mahabodhi Society of India, have been enshrined in the central locking stone of the dome.
The pagoda is the outcome of efforts by nearly 700 labourers toiling daily for the past 11 years to make what is billed as the 8th wonder of the world.
Combining ancient building principles with modern techniques of construction, Sompura finally guided a structure using the 'interlocking principle of construction' for the huge stones - each weighing around 600-700 kg.
The entire structure has consumed over 2.5 million tonnes of Jodhpur stone, which were cut in quarries around Jodhpur (Rajasthan) and transported to Mumbai.
The pagoda, a dream project of 85-year-old Goenka, the moving spirit of VGF, has been constructed mainly with donations received from former students of Vipassana and devotees around the world.
It will be thrown open to the people and tourists Monday onwards, over 100,000 followers of Buddha are expected to visit it each year.

 

[~v3n0m~]

Hakke budures Bokke dadamas

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

Hakke budures Bokke dadamas

Buddha says...
Atapi SAMPAJANO SATIMA viharathi.
(You would not know)

 

[~v3n0m~]

Buddha says...
Atapi SAMPAJANO SATIMA viharathi.
(You would not know)

Hakke budures Bokke dadamas

 

[~v3n0m~]

I dont know that. and you can explain.

I'm not good at memorizing things. I always avoid chances to keep things in my mind.

I always get the idea from lord buddha's teaching and practice them.

some people keep all the dhamma in their head. but still what they do is,

Hakke budures Bokke dadamas

cos of the lack of practice

 

[~v3n0m~]

btw, I suggest you to think about "samma waja" wen you are trying to invade someone with your own ideas, cos that just doesn't work.

you are expecting too much from what you have learnt.

 

[raj86421]

THNX MACHAN

 

[shehan1234]

Thnxxxxxxxxxx Athula Aiya.....Oya wage Hoda Karanam Kochchara Hodada???????????View New Cars Updates http://www.elakiri.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153984

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

The goal of Vipassana meditation

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[AtulaSiriwardane]

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]