For the Benefit of Many: Talks and Answers to Questions from Vipassana Students 1983 - 2000

by S.N. Goenka

English
200

Genres: Spirituality, Meditation

207 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Steven Deobald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book won't make any sense to a non-meditator but I'm giving it five stars for the intended audience.

A lot of questions I've had are clarified here. Why certain rules are applied, how is the organization structured, and how will it adapt and grow now that S.N. Goenka is dead. I was pleasantly surprised with Goenka's answers to questions regarding the inevitable collapse of the Academy into a cult (or perhaps multiple cults/sects). His analysis and planning around the structure of the centres, the global organization, and the individual meditators/volunteers is staggeringly lucid.

If you have ever wondered who is appointed a vipassana teacher, how land is chosen for a centre, and how the Academy avoids being bought out by religions, corporations, and governments (which all have far more money), this is a really informative read.

[dB · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book was a tad more tedious than I had anticipated -- mostly due to repetition of instructions to servers, trustees, and assistant teachers each year -- there were some major nuggets of wisdom and insight peppered throughout the book. In particular, his talk in 2000 on "The Importance of Daily Meditation" really resonated with me, and somehow strengthened my understanding of Vipassana and the role of meditation in my practice. I think I'll need to revisit this one again in the future; unfortunately, I was unable to highlight it because I borrowed it from the internet archive.

[Mihai Paulet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all Vipassana practitioners. You can hear his voice through the words written and feel his metta for all beings. This book clarified some of the leftover blanks in my understanding of the technique, bringing new information on why things are done as they are done at the centers.
A blessing in the form of a book.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is for people who have been on vipassana course in the tradition of Mr.Goenka for others it won't be interesting. Most of the questions are similar and not interesting , only 3-4 were interesting.

[Nisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all Vipassana meditators !! A book close to my heart !

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clarifies Goenka's position on how the Vipassana courses should be taught

[Sulav Rayamajhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for servers and practitioners of Vipassana Meditation.

[Nguyên Trang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadhu sadhu sadhu

[Siddhartha Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for all ex students of SN Goenka. This captures his various talks given in the period 1983-2000 and also clarifies questions asked of him.

I found it extremely helpful to remind me all his learnings as have been shared during discourses!

[Jessica Zu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally love it! This is book about true meaning of compassion and love!