Criticisms of Goenka's Vipassana Meditation Centres

S.N.Goenka's Vipassana Meditation technique, both the principles and philosophy and the rules and
practice , 93, 176);" target="_blank" href="/a/sn-goenkas-vipassana-meditation-technque-a252083"rules and practice have come under fire from former students and practitioners, with
accusations of cult-like tendencies and inaccurate information abound.Goenka, His Retreats,
Methods and Meditation
S.N. Goenka's methods are to teach via CDs and video in every worldwide retreat. The technique is
from the outset known to be his unique technique which has been passed down from his own teacher
Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Goenka's claim is that this particular strand of Vipassana has been passed from
Siddhartha Gotama to the disciples Ashoka the Great (304 BC - 232 BC) the Indian emperor of the
Maurya. During his video conferences, he claims that Ashoka sent out his disciples to various parts
of the world to teach Buddhism.
Goenka takes this Indian myth one stage further and states that during the 10 day course, one such
disciple went to Burma and taught Vipassana. It's said that this particular technique was then

passed down through the centuries, without change, to S.N Goenka.

Goenka makes one further claim in reference to another Buddhist myth or prophecy. This myth
regards the spread of Buddhism, which some say will occur again 2500 years after the death of
Siddhartha Gotama. Goenka points out that he completed his Vipassana training 2500 years after
the death of Buddha and preceded to set up the Dhamma centres which have spread worldwide.
There is no substantial proof either way whether S.N Goenka had fulfilled any of proactol deals these
prophecies or myths.

Goenka's videos that contain these claims, can be seen at his dhamma centres during the course or
you can buy them from his website.
Goenka's personal approach to teaching the technique does have an impact on the students. The
teachers on the course speak very little and answer only very simple and short questions which are
directly related to the practice of technique. The students however are unable to question Goenka
himself or have longer questions answered regarding philosophy behind the technique. No other
teacher from the organisation will offer their interpretations.
Contradictions in S.N. Goenka's Statements and Theories
In an interview conducted by Norman Fischer and published in the Shambala newspaper, S.N.
Goenka claims to maintain a close relationship with the Dali Lama. However, the facts surrounding
this relationship, and in particular the claim to have taught several of the Dali Lama's monks, have
reportedly been denied by the Dali Lama's secretary. Whether or not this is true however, does not
discount from the meditation itself.
There is also contradiction with Goenka's claim that there is no ritual. The three refuges, the
precepts, request of teaching and the chanting which is not translated, are, in fact, ritualistic.

Accommodation at the Dhamma Centres

The other subject that's come under fire from former students is the difference in accommodation.
Simply stated, some rooms at the retreat centre are more comfortable than others. Often, the older
and more professional students are given more comfortable accommodation. Former students have
seen this linked does proactol plus work to the "dana" aspect of the course. "Dana" means
"donation."
As the course are all free of charges, the charity is run solely through donations. Whilst this is an
admirable trait, some have complained about rules and practice , 93, 176);" target="_blank"
href="http://www.padhana.dhamma.org/padhana_.html"the executive centre that has been built and
that professionals seem to get better treatment in hope of receiving larger donations.
Former students have complained about the management of the retreats. More often than not, the
complaints surround the rigorous rules. Many have called it a ''bootcamp."
There does seem to be some variance between the centres, some being stricter than others about
the rules. It does seem to depend on the centre managers at the retreats. There is a clear hierarchy
in place, the older students placed much closer to the teachers. In some forums ex students have
also argued that this represents psychological tricks, to make the new students wish to conform.
Many religious cults have used brainwashing as a method of control, see Amy Sillup, Brainwashing
techniques and cults to learn more. Notably, there exists no conclusive evidence linking Goenka's
retreats to brainwashing techniques.
Additional Sources:
Shambala Newspaper Archives.
European Executive Centre, on Padhana.Dhamma.org. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
Greg Foyer, in an extract proactol discount of his book rules and practice , 93, 176);"
target="_blank" href="http://gregfoyster.com/the-meditation-myth/"Meditation Myth, published on
5th December 2009.