No. 0002
Vispassana In Japan

Jun writes: "Someone mentioned Vipassana at a party. What is it? It sounds fun." Fun it is not. Joyous in the sense of personally revealing, and a great way to start 2005, maybe. Vipassana (which means, 'seeing things as they really are') is a form of self-purification by self-observation through Buddhist meditation. (The courses, however, are not religious.) The Japan Vipassana Center in Kyoto organizes regular 10-day courses, the next starting Jan. 5. These courses, which "provide universal remedies for universal problems," are not easy. Discipline is strict, with no contact of any kind between students -- physical or verbal -- for the duration of the stay. There is no charge. Donations are invited. Check http://www.bhanu.dharma.org/ in Japanese or English. Send your queries, questions, problems and posers to lifelines@japantimes.co.jp