Buddhism


The Buddha

The Five Precepts

  1. Refrain from taking life.
  2. Refrain from stealing.
  3. Refrain from sexual misconduct.
  4. Refrain from telling lies.
  5. Refrain from intoxicating liquors and drugs that lead to carelessness.

The Four Noble Truths

  1. The Nature of Suffering (Dukkha)
  2. Suffering's Origin (Samudaya)
  3. Suffering's Cessation (Nirodha)
  4. The Path (Mārga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering (the Noble Eightfold Path)

The Noble Eightfold Path

  1. Right view
  2. Right intention
  3. Right speech
  4. Right action
  5. Right livelihood
  6. Right effort
  7. Right mindfulness
  8. Right concentration
This page is only a brief introduction to some of the key precepts in practicing Buddhism. The Buddha produced over 84,000 teachings that have been documented and passed down for over 2,500 years now.


Vipassana Meditation


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Human mental suffering is created by problems created by the disease, ego and mental formations (based on addiction, fear, obsession, family upbringing, relationships, society, etc.). Our Mind works like a radar system always searching for good, better, best for ourselves by identifying bad, worse and worst.

Vipassana (the Pali word for Insight Mediation) can help one to see their own mind when it is causing more suffering (or being unskillful). Being skillful in the mind is about always being in the present and not being misguided by past results or future possibilities.

Vipassana is usually considered more effective than tranquility meditation because Vipassana can help you to "dig out the roots" of long-term mental issues. A Vipassana retreat is usually taken at a Buddhist temple for a period of 10, 15 or 21-days initially and then can be refreshed in 10-day followup retreats.

Once someone begins the process of practicing Vipassana, they begin to see their own cravings, ego, impulses, habits, etc. and similar to the movie "The Matrix" where Neo chooses to swallow the red pill and can longer return to the state of ignorance. This will become true with Vipassana as well, only if you continue to practice throughout your life.

This is an evolving process of life which will undoubtedly help steer you into better thoughts, emotions, physical health and actions as you continue to practice Vipassana.

Northern Vipassana is a Westerner-oriented VIpassana program teaching in the Mahasi Sayadaw/Ajarn Tong tradition of Buddhist Vipassana techniques. The temple they teach at is located in Northern Thailand (about 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai) in the city of Chom Tong (pronounced Jom Tong in Thai), Thailand. The program operates on a donation basis for food, lodging and teachings.

Wat Phra Dhatu Sri Chomtong Voravihara
T. Ban Luang, A. Chomtong
Chiang Mai 50160, Thailand
Telephone: +66-053-826-869
(early registration recommended)

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