S.N. Goenka: Emissary of Insight

Daniel M. Stuart has recently come out with a biography of S. N. Goenka, titled S.N. Goenka: Emissary of Insight. Though the book is the result of many years of academic research, it aims to provide readers with a lively and accessible account of Goenka's life.

An associate professor of religious studies at the University of South Carolina, he is a scholar of South Asian religions, literary cultures, and meditation traditions specializing in the texts and practices of the Buddhist tradition. Previous books include The Stream of Deathless Nectar, A Less Traveled Path, and Thinking About Cessation.

The book is being published by Shamabala Press, within their “Lives of the Masters Series.” Series Editor Kurtis Schaeffer comments about the purpose behind this series:

"Buddhist traditions are heir to some of the most creative thinkers in world history. The Lives of the Masters series offers lively and reliable introductions to the lives, works, and legacies of key Buddhist teachers, philosophers, contemplatives, and writers. Each volume in the Lives series tells the story of an innovator who embodied the ideals of Buddhism, crafted a dynamic living tradition during his or her lifetime, and bequeathed a vibrant legacy of knowledge and practice to future generations.

Lives books rely on primary sources in the original languages to describe the extraordinary achievements of Buddhist thinkers and illuminate these achievements by vividly setting them within their historical contexts. Each volume offers a concise yet comprehensive summary of the master’s life and an account of how they came to hold a central place in Buddhist traditions. Each contribution also contains a broad selection of the master’s writings.

This series makes it possible for all readers to imagine Buddhist masters as deeply creative and inspired people whose work was animated by the rich complexity of their time and place and how these inspiring figures continue to engage our quest for knowledge and understanding today."

This book may be the most awaited in the series, of interest to meditators and scholars alike who want to better understand the Indian householder who brought vipassana meditation to the masses. A description of the book goes on to say:

In a life that saw him evolve from a staunchly religious Hindu to an ecumenical master of Buddhist insight meditation, Satyanārāyaṇ (S. N.) Goenka (1924-2013) became instrumental in popularizing lay mindfulness and insight meditation practice on a global scale. Goenka was in the second generation of an Indian family living in Burma. When he arrived in India in the 1960s, he felt the pull of karmic destiny to teach meditation and thereby repay the ancient debt that Burmese Buddhists owed to India. In the 1970s, as Goenka was becoming an integral part of the Indian Buddhist spiritual landscape, thousands of young people from the United States and Europe flocked to India to explore its spiritual possibilities. Out of this remarkable convergence was launched a global network of practitioners and meditation centers that would become Goenka's legacy.

Drawing heavily on Goenka's own autobiographical writings and Dharma talks, S. N. Goenka is the first comprehensive portrait of his life. Daniel Stuart incorporates a wide range of primary documents and newly translated material to offer readers an in-depth exploration of Goenka's life and teachings. Stuart further details the trials and tribulations Goenka faced in building a movement in India in the 1970s, developing a global network of meditation centers, and negotiating a range of relationships with students and religious leaders worldwide. This biography reflects on Goenka's role in the revival of Buddhism in postcolonial India and his emergence as one of the most influential meditation masters of the twentieth century.

Hopefully, we’ll also be hearing from Daniel about this monumental work on the Insight Myanmar Podcast. Up till now the podcast has primarily featured the stories of practitioners, however we are very excited to expand our range to authors and scholars who shine a light on the history of Dhamma practice in the Golden Land. Upcoming interviews are scheduled for the respective authors of Burma: Voices of Freedom, The Irish Buddhist, Saving Buddhism, as well as an upcoming biography of U Lokanatha, and an upcoming book on Mingun Jetavana Sayadaw, the teacher of Mahasi Sayadaw.

Check back on this blog as we catch up more with Daniel about his work!