Bhante Vimalarmasi
June 26, 2023, the Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi died while in hospice care near St. Lous. Bhante was a distinguished American Buddhist monk with more than 50 years of meditation practice. Since the mid-1990's, he taught tranquil wisdom insight meditation (TWIM) in Europe, Asia, and North America. Bhante was the founder and abbot of the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center near Annapolis, Missouri. For many years he was the U.S. representative to the World Buddhist Summit and Conferences and regarded as master meditation teacher.
TWIM principles and practices that he taught originated in the discourses of the Buddha in the Pali cannon. He referenced vipassanā insight and samatha tranquility as being equally yoked together in mediation (jhāna) both in theory and practice. Hundreds of his Dhamma talks are available on his YouTube channel: TWIM Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center. HERE
TWIM principles and practices that he taught originated in the discourses of the Buddha in the Pali cannon. He referenced vipassanā insight and samatha tranquility as being equally yoked together in mediation (jhāna) both in theory and practice. Hundreds of his Dhamma talks are available on his YouTube channel: TWIM Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center. HERE
VENERABLE BHANTE VIMALARAMSI, MAHA THARA (died 2023) Buddhist Monk, Meditation, Abbot, and Buddhist Studies Teacher
INSTRUCTION: Residential retreats, Classes, Public Speaking
LOCATION: Annapolis, Missouri
CONTACT INOFORMATION: https://www.dhammasukha.org/
INSTRUCTION: Residential retreats, Classes, Public Speaking
LOCATION: Annapolis, Missouri
CONTACT INOFORMATION: https://www.dhammasukha.org/
Bhante Vimalaramsi, U.S. Sangha Representative to the World Buddhist Summit 2014, Kobe, Japan
His approach to teaching meditation included personal one-on-one daily interviews to expedite progress into and through the stages of mediation (jhāna) to awakening. He often said that practicing loving-kindness was fun to do. It was neither difficult nor a test of endurance but a joy-filled journey on the middle path of clarity, joy, and wisdom he added, ff you can smile, meditation is easy. He claimed that the principles of TWIM practice originated not form him but from the words of the Buddha alone.
Bhante did not teach cultural or institutional Buddhism, theory, or scholarship but instead, the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path based on the Pali texts. Bhante taught that the purpose of the jhanas in mediation was to cultivate wise-attention, tranquility, and insight leading to the liberation of mind. His legacy is many hundreds of students that he taught and coached with dozens of TWIM teachers world-wide that carry on the same dedication for sharing the Dhamma.
Bhante did not teach cultural or institutional Buddhism, theory, or scholarship but instead, the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path based on the Pali texts. Bhante taught that the purpose of the jhanas in mediation was to cultivate wise-attention, tranquility, and insight leading to the liberation of mind. His legacy is many hundreds of students that he taught and coached with dozens of TWIM teachers world-wide that carry on the same dedication for sharing the Dhamma.
Easter Retreat 2019, Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi, St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista, California.
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TWIM mediation retreats, he believed, must be results-oriented yielding mental, emotional, and meaningful personality development. Retreat courses were structured to be ideal for beginners to easily learn effective meditation that offered relief from craving, the cause and condition of suffering. TWIM retreats drew advanced meditators that had become discouraged or plateaued in their progress. The practice he pointed out, immediately dissolves barriers by relieving craving, the cause of suffering. The practice gradually develops a foundation for the Noble Eightfold Path culminating in the direct experience of nibanna.
Bhante is the author of numerous books including, Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation: "How to Attain Nibbana Through the Mindfulness of Lovingkindness" and "Life is Meditation - Meditation is Life: The Practice of Meditation As Explained From the Earliest Buddhist Suttas".
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Beginning Instructions at a 2011 Retreat
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Loving-Kindness Meditation Instructions, Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi, 2011 Joshua Tree Retreat/
In this video, Bhante gives the detailed instructions for Metta or Loving-kindness meditation and how to deal with distractions using the Six Rs methodology. He discusses the specific functions of the Six Rs and how to apply it while meditating using metta. Bhante talks about how the Six Rs method mirrors the "four right efforts" as descried by the Buddha, The video concludes with a question and answer session between Bhante and the attending participants. (54 minutes) |
Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi
August 7, 1946 – June 27, 2023 American Buddhist monk and Abbot of the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center in Annapolis, Missouri.
His spiritual journey began in earnest in 1977 when he studied with Anagarika Munindra, a prominent meditation teacher. In 1986, he ordained as a monk in Thailand and subsequently traveled to Burma in 1988 to practice intensive meditation at the Mahasi Yeiktha Meditation Center in Rangoon (Dhamma Sukha) (Dhamma Sukha).
Founding of Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center
After twelve years in Asia, Bhante returned to the United States. In 2003, he established the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center (DSMC) in Annapolis, Missouri, located in the Ozark Mountains. This center became a pivotal site for his teachings and the practice of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM), a unique approach combining Samatha (tranquility) and Vipassanā (insight) meditation techniques.
Teachings and Contributions
Bhante Vimalaramsi was renowned for reviving what he considered the most direct path to wisdom and awakening as taught by the Buddha. His teachings emphasize a relaxed and open state of meditation, advocating for a balanced approach to practice. He developed the "Six-Rs" technique, which guides practitioners to recognize, release, relax, re-smile, return, and repeat their focus during meditation. This method is detailed in his various works, including "The Anapanasati Sutta: A Practical Guide to Mindfulness of Breathing," "Breath of Love," and "A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (T.W.I.M.)" (Wikipedia) (Suttavada Foundation).
Global Influence and Legacy
Bhante Vimalaramsi's influence extended globally, leading TWIM retreats in Europe, Asia, and North America. He served as the U.S. representative to the World Buddhist Summit and Conferences, advocating for unity among different Buddhist traditions and promoting global peace. His students often credit him with offering profound insights that simplify and deepen the practice of meditation (Dhamma Sukha) (Dhammasukha Indonesia).
Passing and Memorial
Bhante Vimalaramsi passed away on June 27, 2023. His teachings continue to inspire and guide practitioners worldwide. The Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center remains a testament to his dedication and contributions to Buddhist meditation practice.
August 7, 1946 – June 27, 2023 American Buddhist monk and Abbot of the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center in Annapolis, Missouri.
His spiritual journey began in earnest in 1977 when he studied with Anagarika Munindra, a prominent meditation teacher. In 1986, he ordained as a monk in Thailand and subsequently traveled to Burma in 1988 to practice intensive meditation at the Mahasi Yeiktha Meditation Center in Rangoon (Dhamma Sukha) (Dhamma Sukha).
Founding of Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center
After twelve years in Asia, Bhante returned to the United States. In 2003, he established the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center (DSMC) in Annapolis, Missouri, located in the Ozark Mountains. This center became a pivotal site for his teachings and the practice of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM), a unique approach combining Samatha (tranquility) and Vipassanā (insight) meditation techniques.
Teachings and Contributions
Bhante Vimalaramsi was renowned for reviving what he considered the most direct path to wisdom and awakening as taught by the Buddha. His teachings emphasize a relaxed and open state of meditation, advocating for a balanced approach to practice. He developed the "Six-Rs" technique, which guides practitioners to recognize, release, relax, re-smile, return, and repeat their focus during meditation. This method is detailed in his various works, including "The Anapanasati Sutta: A Practical Guide to Mindfulness of Breathing," "Breath of Love," and "A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (T.W.I.M.)" (Wikipedia) (Suttavada Foundation).
Global Influence and Legacy
Bhante Vimalaramsi's influence extended globally, leading TWIM retreats in Europe, Asia, and North America. He served as the U.S. representative to the World Buddhist Summit and Conferences, advocating for unity among different Buddhist traditions and promoting global peace. His students often credit him with offering profound insights that simplify and deepen the practice of meditation (Dhamma Sukha) (Dhammasukha Indonesia).
Passing and Memorial
Bhante Vimalaramsi passed away on June 27, 2023. His teachings continue to inspire and guide practitioners worldwide. The Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center remains a testament to his dedication and contributions to Buddhist meditation practice.