American Buddhism
Mindfulness practices and Insight or Vipassana Meditation come from the Theravadan Buddhist lineage found primarily in Thailand, Burma, and Sri Lanka. Theravada or “the way of the elders” is the oldest form of Buddhism dating back over 2,500 years. Over the past forty years these teachings have been transmitted to the West and are now evolving into a form that honors and supports the lay practitioner’s ability to awaken in daily life.
This American practice of Theravada Buddhism invites us to let go of religious doctrine and return to the essence of the Buddha’s teachings through our own direct experience. Vipassana, or what we translate as Insight, means “to see clearly” and offers simple yet profound spiritual practices that allow us to deeply see and live in accordance with our true nature. In the past, the path to awakening has been taught primarily to monastics, but we are now engaging the Buddha’s teachings with the understanding that we all have the potential to awaken and that different containers or lifestyles simply provide different opportunities for practice.
There are communities throughout the country that are deeply committed to incorporating the Buddha’s teachings into all aspects of American life. Some of those coming forth from the Theravadan lineage are:
Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society