The Vipassana Meditation Society was founded in 1955 for Insight Knowledge. This is the official web site of International centre for Buddhist meditation in Sri Lanka. Please be free to contact us for further details.)

International Centre for Buddhist Meditation

Address: MEDITATION CENTRE,
KANDUBODA, DELGODA, SRI LANKA.
Tel/fax 94 01 570306
E-mail :kandubod@sltnet.lk

 
Why Meditate?    Types of Meditation.   Principle of Meditation?
 
  Meditation Methods.   Meditation Practice.   Time Table   Home
Why Meditate?

 
Meditation can help you to lead a more productive, satisfying, healthy and comfortable life The wisdom that develops through meditation brings a happiness that surpasses all others. Through meditation your life will become more meaningful and harmonious. Your mental condition can be developed. Students can improve their memory and will be able to do their studies well. Physical and mental conditions can be transformed and with a more peaceful mind; you will be able to have a very restful sleep.
"It is better to spend one day concentrating than 100 years distracted"
      ~The Lord Buddha
 
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Types Of Meditation

There are two types of meditation used to concentrate and develop the mind.
 

  1. SAMATHA or TRANQUILITY meditation trains the mind to concentrate on only one object.
  2. VIPASSANA or INSIGHT meditation trains the mind to observe the many objects coming in to awareness through the six sense doors in order to develop the wisdom to eradicate the defilement in the mind and be freed from suffering.
 
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What is the Principle of Meditation ?

 
 
Ven. M.Upali Thera Three things must be present for awareness to arise - an object, the sense door and the mind. By contemplating on a single object repeatedly, (for example the breath or a visible object) the mind can be calmed and brought to one-pointedness. Similarly, many other methods of SAMATHA meditation can be found just by focusing the mind on any one object. There are 40 types of Samatha meditation. (A more detailed explanation can be found in the VISUDDHI MAGGA)
 
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Meditation Methods

Sitting meditation


 
 

Walking meditation


 
 
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Meditation practice

As well as the main In meditation one needs 4 conditions for successful practice, 

  1. Food. 
  2. Climate. 
  3. Posture. 
  4. Companions (Place). 
In today's world there are very few places conducive to meditative development, Kanduboda is one of these rare havens. It has clean air & water and its meditation huts &walkways are built under coconut palms & tropical vegetation. As well as the main centre at Kanduboda there are a number of branch centres in the mountains & remote areas for more serious solitary practice. 
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Message from the Chairman. History of the Centre. Accommodation Home

Message from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees


 
DeshaBandu Bogoda Premaratne
 The Siyane Vipassana Meditation Centre at Kanduboda came in to being in 1956,when the Buddhist world was commemorating the 2500-year of the coming of the Buddha in to this world. In the Buddha's day all those who commenced meditation under his guidance were non-Buddhist, and there were no books on meditation to read. But anyone who wanted to really understand what the Buddha was talking about was obliged to begin with meditation. 

Today we spend all our life struggling to know some subject or other about the world in witch we live and to become efficient in coping with the problems of the world. In the Buddha's day people spent time in perfecting the instrument with which the whole world could be known and be dealt with that is themselves. And that is what makes all the difference between meditation and non-meditation.

The citizens of the world are welcome to come and discover the fountain of wisdom within themselves through Vipassana (Insight) and that without any charges whatsoever!

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History


 
Ven.Mahasi Sayadaw (Middle) 
At Kanduboda		 The Siyane Vipassana Meditation Society was founded in 1955 with the objective of providing facilities where the teachings of the Buddha and most especially the practice of Vipassana (insight) Meditation could be made easily available to people of Sri Lanka and from around the world.
The International centre for Training in Buddhist Meditation was opened shortly thereafter on January 8,1956 under the sponsorship of the late Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw, a most venerated meditation master from Burma (Myanmar).

Ven.Sumathipaala Maha Thera
The late Venerable SUMITHIPALA MAHA THERA, who had received training in Vipassana practice from the age of eighteen, guided the teaching training and development of the centre until his death on June14, 1992 at the age of 86. Presently the Venerable Maha Thera's pupil, Ven. M. UPALI THERA continues to guide the Centre in the traditions established by his teacher.

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Accommedation


 
Accommodat ion, meal and services are provided free of charge in keeping with Buddhist tradition. The support of lay Buddhists and well-wishers from Sri Lanka as well as those from other countries has made it possible to maintain this policy to the present day.

Meditators may arrive at any time of the year and stay for a few days or even several weeks.

The centre can be accommodating up to 70 meditators at a time, men and women living separately. Each person is assigned a single room. Substantial meals of mostly vegetarian food are offered morning and noon. In addition, rice gruel, king coconut juice and tea are served at appropriate times. Living is semi-monastic, conforming to traditional norms. Lay meditators are requested to wear white. Meditators quickly become adjusted to these conditions and come to appreciate the benefits of such an environment for meditation.

For Foreigners It is the responsibility of foreign meditators to obtain the necessary visas for their stay in Sri Lanka. With approval, visa extensions can be assisted by the centre to enable longer periods of practice after initial training.

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Books of Buddhism for beginners   Further Readings Home

Books of Buddhism for beginners:

The Buddha and His Teaching _ Ven.Narada

What the Buddha Taught_ Ven.Walpola Rahula

The Dhammapada_ Ven.Narada

The Satipatthana Vipassana Meditation _Ven.Mahasi Sayadaw
 

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Further reading

The Path of Purification _ Ven.Buddagosa

A comprehensive Manual of Abbhidhamma _ Bikku Bodhi

An Introduction to Theravada Abhidamma _Prof.G.D.Sumanapala

In This very life _ Ven.U.Pandita
 

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Timetable

SPECIAL EVENT

SPECIAL EVENT

Group Meditation

Time 7.30 - 8.30 Morning

 SPECIAL EVENT

Meditation Instructions

Time 2.30 – 4.30 after noon

SPECIAL EVENT

Group Meditation

Time 7.30 – 8.30 after noon

 SPECIAL EVENT

 DHAMMA DISCUSSION

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LOCATION [Kanduboda]


 
The centre is located at Kanduboda, 16 miles from Colombo and is easily accessible by bus route 224(Colombo/Pugoda) leaving from the central bus stand. from Colombo the bus trip takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The distance from the Katunayake International Airport to Kanduboda is longer with no direct bus connection. Taxi service is available from the airport (1 hour) or Colombo (1/2 hour). The information desk at the airport or the Tourist Board in Colombo can provide a schedule of taxi fares to be expected for this distance.

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Compiled by: Ven.M. Upali & Ven.Newzeland Nanda

Photographs : Kithsiri Wijesundara

Technical support: B.A.V.Chaminda.Perera

Contact

International Centre for Buddhist Meditation

Address: MEDITATION CENTRE,
KANDUBODA, DELGODA, SRI LANKA.
Tel/fax 94 01 570306
E-mail :kandubod@sltnet.lk