Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India needed to take the lead in making Vipassana more acceptable.
The prime minister was addressing the concluding ceremony of the year-long celebrations of Vipassana meditation teacher Acharya S N Goenka’s 100th birth anniversary via video message.
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Highlighting the benefits of Vipassana, he said practicing Vipassana has become even more important in today’s challenging times when the youth have become victims of stress due to work-life balance, prevailing lifestyle, and other issues.
Modi emphasised it is a solution not just for them but also for the members of micro and nuclear families where elderly parents remain under a lot of stress. He also urged everyone to connect elderly people with such initiatives.
Even though it was India’s ancestors who researched the processes of Vipassana yoga, the prime minister pointed out the irony that the next generations forgot its importance. “Vipassana, Meditation, and Dharana are often considered only as matters of renunciation and people but its role was forgotten,” he added.
On the occasion, Modi praised eminent personalities like Acharya SN Goenka for their leadership. Quoting Guru ji, the prime minister remarked, “A healthy life is a big responsibility of all of us towards ourselves.”
The prime minister lauded Acharya Goenka’s efforts to make everyone’s life peaceful, happy and harmonious through his campaigns. “He also wanted the future generations to avail the benefits of these campaigns and that is why he expanded his knowledge. He did not stop there but also created skilled teachers,” he said.
The prime minister once again explained about Vipassana, saying that it is a journey into the soul and a way to dive deep within yourself. However, it is not just a genre but a science.
He said, “As we are familiar with the results of this science, we now need to present its evidence to the world according to the standards of modern science.”
“While a lot is already being done all over the world in this direction, Bharat needs to take the lead in making it more acceptable using new research for bringing greater welfare to the world,” the prime minister added.
Recalling the beginning of the birth centenary celebrations of the Vipassanā meditation teacher, Acharya S N Goenka a year ago, the prime minister underlined that the nation celebrated ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ and also remembering the ideals of Kalyan Mitra Goenka at the same time.
He reaffirmed that when these celebrations are coming to an end today, the country is moving rapidly towards fulfilling the resolutions of a Viksit Bharat.
Quoting Lord Buddha’s mantra which was often used by Guruji, Prime Minister Modi said, “Meditating together gives effective results. This feeling of solidarity and power of unity is a major basis of Viksit Bharat.” He extended his warm wishes to all for propagating the same mantra throughout the year.
The prime minister recalled his connections with Goenka and said they met multiple times in Gujarat after the first meeting at the World Religion Conference at the United Nations.
Modi called himself fortunate enough to see him during his final stages and having the privilege of knowing and understanding Acharya closely. He spoke highly about Goenka’s absorbing Vipassana deeply along with his calm and serious personality which created an atmosphere of virtuousness wherever he went.
“A perfect example of ‘One Life, One Mission’, Shri Goenka had only one mission – Vipassana! He imparted the knowledge of Vipassana to everyone,” Modi said as he hailed the huge contribution to humanity and the world.
