Dharma Vocabulary Lesson: Vipashyana

Written By Lama Döndrup

Sanskrit: Vipashyana

  • Vi means special, superior, penetrative.

  • Pashyana means to see or to look.

Tibetan: Lhaktong (lhag mthong):

  • Lhak means superior, clear, special, beyond, excellent, surpassing. 

  • Tong means to see.

English: Clear Seeing, Insight

Clear seeing allows for penetrative insight into the nature of reality. 

With Vipashyana, we look directly at our experience and come to decisive recognition and understanding of its true nature.

In the Theravada tradition, vipassana (Pali) is directed primarily towards recognizing the true nature of the three marks of existence (impermanence, suffering, non-self) and the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness). This is accomplished through techniques and methods to develop concentration and mindfulness, including noting mental events, body scanning, and contemplation of the four foundations of mindfulness.

In the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, vipashyana (Sanskrit) is directed towards recognizing the true nature of mind. This is realized through non-conceptual, experiential inquiry into the mind in a variety of contexts.

Shamatha and Vipashyana are paired in practice. With shamatha, one develops the capacity for one-pointedness and this level of concentration allows for vipashyana practice to be penetrative and fruitful.

Mahamudra is the union of shamatha and vipashyana.

Lama Döndrup

Lama Döndrup has been practicing and studying in the Buddhist tradition since the mid-1990’s. After five years of Theravadin Buddhist training, she immersed herself in the teachings and practices of the Shangpa and Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. In 2005, she completed a traditional three-year retreat under the guidance of Lama Palden and Lama Drupgyu with the blessing of her root guru, Bokar Rinpoche and was authorized as a lama. Upon her return to Marin County, she began teaching at Sukhasiddhi Foundation. In January 2020, as Lama Palden’s successor, she stepped into the role of Resident Lama, guiding the Center’s ministerial work. Lama Döndrup’s teaching style is thorough and clear yet with light touch as she supports the natural unfolding of each student’s innate wisdom and compassion. She aims to preserve the authenticity of the tradition while making the teachings and practices relevant and accessible to the lives of 21st century Westerners. In addition to her Buddhist practice, Lama Döndrup trained the Ridhwan School’s Diamond Approach for seven years and has a Masters of Fine Arts degree in piano performance. She is an active classical pianist and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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