Come, People of the World (Couplets)

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Sri Satyanarayanji Goenka was born in Mandalay, Myanmar in 1924. Although he topped the list of all successful candidates in the whole of Myanmar in the tenth class, he could not continue his studies further. At a very early age he set up many commercial and industrial institutions and earned fabulous wealth. He also established many social and cultural centres. Because of tension he became a victim of migraine, which could not be cured by doctors of Myanmar and of other countries in the world. Then some one suggested him to take a course of Vipassana. Vipassana has done well not only to him but it has also been benefiting many others.

He learned Vipassana from Sayagyi U Ba Khin in 1955. Sitting at the feet of his teacher he practiced it for fourteen years He also studied the words of the Buddha during this period. He came to India in 1969 and conducted the first vipassana course in Mumbai. After that a series of courses were held. In 1976 the first residential course of vipassana was held in Igatpuri and the first centre of vipassana was established here. Up till now 194 centres have been established all over the world. New centres also are coming up. At these centres 1500 trained teachers teach vipassana in 59 languages of the world. Not only ten-day courses are conducted at these centres but also at some centres 20-day, 30-day, 45-day and 60-day courses are conducted. All courses are free of charge. The expenses on food and accommodation etc are met by the self-willed Dana given by those who benefited from the course. Seeing its benevolent nature vipassana courses is held not only for the inmates of jails and school children in the world but also for police personnels, judges, government officers etc.

This booklet presents a collection of Hindi couplets (dohas) chanted by Sri S. N. Goenka in his ten-day Vipassana courses. These have been a source of great inspiration to his students for many years. They have now been transcribed in Roman script and translated in English for the benefit of English-speaking students all over the world.

The doha is a favourite Indian poetic form similar to the gdthds (verses) often used by the Buddha, and it remains, even today, a strong part of Indian culture. The dohas enjoy a prestigious position in Indian literature since, down through time, the sages have used these as a vehicle of their noblest thoughts. These dohas pulsate with Dhamma vibrations.

Although inspiring, these dohas by no means form a part of meditation. For this one has to turn to one’s own experience, observing the phenomena of arising and passing away within the framework of one’s own body from time to time, from moment to moment.

We feel very happy to place these pages in the hands of Vipassana students and all those interested in walking on the path of Dhamma—the path of peace, happiness and full liberation.