The modern school of Vipassana - a Buddhist tradition?

Mgr. Nora Melnikova, Ph.D.

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

Cílem této studie bylo zprostředkovat vhled do modernizace théravádových tradic na příkladu školy Vipassaná S. N. Goenky. Za tímto účelem byla analyzována organizační struktura školy a obsah jejího učení. Zvláštní důraz byl položen na její ústřední téma, meditační praxi. Kromě toho byla probrána i otázka klasifikace školy. V souvislosti s tím byly analyzovány koncepty náboženství, sekularismu, Buddhismu a Hinduismu.

Abstract:

The aim of this study is to provide an insight into the way in which the South Asian Theravada traditions have been modernised on the example of the Vipassana meditation school of S. N. Goenka. For this purpose, the organisational structure of the school and the content of its teachings have been analysed. Modern features of the school have been shown. Special emphasis was laid on its focal point, the meditation practice, which has been compared to the meditation practices as they have been described in the texts of Tipitaka. Apart from that, the question of the classification of the school has been raised. In relation to this question, the concepts of religions, secularism, Buddhism and Hinduism have been examined. It has been concluded that the Vipassana school of S. N. Goenka defies classification in these categories, the reason for which was found in the problematic nature of the above-mentioned concepts themselves.

Keywords

Vipassana, S. N. Goenka, meditation, religion, Buddhism, Modern Buddhism, Neo-Hinduism, modernity, intercultural mimesis, sants, secularism

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 18. 9. 2014

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 9. 2. 2015
• Supervisor: doc. Daniel Berounský, Ph.D.
• Reader: PhDr. Jaroslav Strnad, Ph.D., doc. Mgr. Dušan Deák, PhD.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Doctoral programme / field:
Philosophy (4-years) / Study of Religions