What is VIPASSANA?

Vipassana is a Dhamma term which is a combination of two words. 'Vi' is one word, 'passana' is the other. Here 'vi' refers to the three characteristics of mentality and physicality, i.e. impermanence (anicca), unsatisfactoriness or suffering (dukkha) and no-soul, no-self or non-ego (anattã). 'Passana' means realisation through deep concentration, or right understanding of the three characteristics of mentality (nama) and physicality (rupã). When we practise Vipassana meditation or mindfulness meditation, the purpose is to realise, anicca, dukkha and anattã-- the three characteristics of all phenomena.
By realising these three characteristics of mentality and physicality, we can exterminate all defilements (kilesas) such as lust, greed, desire, craving, hatred, ill-will, jealousy, conceit, sloth and torpor, sorrow and worry, restlessness and remorse. Having destroyed all these defilements, we then attain deliverance or the cessation of suffering. As long as we have any of these kilesas, we are sure to experience many kinds of dukkha (suffering). Defilements are the cause of suffering; when they have been destroyed, all kinds of suffering cease to exist.