Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi
Bhante Vimalaramsi
Bhante is a distinguished American Buddhist monk with more than 40 years of meditation practice. Bhante is regarded as a master meditation teacher leading Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation retreats in Europe, Asia, and North America.
He founded the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center near St. Louis, Missouri, after returning to the USA having practiced twelve years in Asia as a monk. He is the author of The Anapanasati Sutta: A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Meditation, Breath of Love, and Moving Dhamma Volume One and Life is Meditation and Meditation is Life.
Bhante's students credit him with reviving the most direct path to wisdom and awakening as taught by the Buddha, by teaching a very simple but highly comprehensive and effective practice.
Bhante was a distinguished American Buddhist monk with more than 50 years of meditation practice. He taught tranquil wisdom insight meditation (TWIM) since the mid-1990's 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
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 formula of the Eightfold Path. The purpose of the jhanas 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.
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 Nibbana.
June 27, 2023, the Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi passed away.
Early Life and Ordination
Bhante Vimalaramsi, originally named Marvel Logan, was born on August 7, 1946, in the United States. 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 spending over twelve years in Asia, Bhante Vimalaramsi 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 (Dhamma Sukha) (Dhamma Sukha).
Teachings and Contributions
Bhante Vimalaramsi is 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.
CHRONOLOGY OF BHANTE VIMALARAMSI
Here is a historical chronology for Bhante Vimalaramsi from 1986 to 1998:
1986
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Ordination: Bhante Vimalaramsi was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, beginning his monastic journey. This marked the start of his deep commitment to the practice and teachings of Buddhism.
1988
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Intensive Meditation in Burma: He traveled to Burma to practice intensive meditation at the Mahasi Yeiktha meditation center in Rangoon. Under the guidance of Sayadaw U Janaka, he engaged in long-term retreats, including a rigorous two-year retreat focused on the Mahasi Vipassanā method.
1990
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Return to Burma: Bhante Vimalaramsi went back to Burma for more Vipassanā meditation. During this period, he practiced for 14 to 16 hours a day at Chanmyay Yeiktha in Rangoon. His practice sessions sometimes lasted as long as 7 to 8 hours at a stretch.
Early 1990s
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Disillusionment with Straight Vipassanā: After two years of intensive meditation, despite achieving what was considered the final result of the practice, Bhante became disillusioned with the straight Vipassanā method. This led him to continue his search for a more complete understanding of the Dhamma.
Mid 1990s
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Teaching and Shift to Metta Meditation: Bhante Vimalaramsi began teaching Loving-Kindness (Metta) Meditation. His practice and teachings evolved as he took the advice of an elder Sri Lankan monk, Venerable Punnaji, to use only the suttas for reference. He studied Bhikkhu Bodhi's translations of the Majjhima Nikāya and applied these teachings directly.
1995
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Brickfields Monastery, Malaysia: Bhante was invited to live and teach at Brickfields, the largest Theravadan monastery in Malaysia, under the direction of K. Sri Dhammananda. During his time there, he significantly contributed to the teaching schedule and engaged deeply with the suttas.
Late 1990s
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Self-Retreat in Thailand: Bhante undertook a three-month self-retreat in a cave in Thailand, guided solely by the suttas and accompanied by a cobra. This period of intensive practice led to significant insights and the development of the Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) method, which incorporates the "Relax" step to tranquilize bodily formations (sankhāra).
1998
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Return to the United States: Bhante Vimalaramsi returned to the USA, where he began teaching meditation throughout the country. This marked the beginning of his efforts to spread the TWIM method and the teachings of the Buddha as directly referenced from the suttas.
Summary
Between 1986 and 1998, Bhante Vimalaramsi's journey encompassed ordination, intensive meditation in Burma, disillusionment with the Mahasi method, adoption of Metta meditation, and the development of the TWIM method, culminating in his return to the USA to teach and spread these practices based on the direct teachings from the suttas.
Here is a more detailed year-by-year chronology of Bhante Vimalaraṁsi's life, teachings, and publications.
1990s
Early 1990s:
Ordination in Myanmar:
Bhante Vimalaraṁsi is ordained as a Theravāda Buddhist monk in Myanmar (Burma). He initially practices the traditional concentration meditation (samatha) that was prevalent in Burmese monasteries. Bhante finds, over time, that these practices focus heavily on absorption-based jhānas (deep states of concentration).
Study of Concentration Methods:
During this period, Bhante studies various concentration methods and realizes that while these techniques may bring temporary calm, they do not seem to lead to the insights described in the original teachings of the Buddha.
1995:
Publication of The Ānāpānasati Sutta: A Practical Guide to Mindfulness of Breathing and Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation:
Bhante’s first major text, based on the Anapanasati Sutta, where he begins to emphasize the importance of mindfulness of breathing. This book marks the early stages of his departure from concentration-focused meditation and the gradual development of his own method, Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM).
2000s
2003:
Development of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM):
After years of deep reflection and experimentation with traditional methods, Bhante fully develops TWIM. He refines his understanding of jhana based on the suttas, which are described as levels of insight awareness rather than absorption.
Late 2000s:
Founding of Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center (DSMC):
Bhante Vimalaramsi establishes the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center in Annapolis, Missouri, USA, dedicated to teaching TWIM and offering retreats focused on sutta-based meditation.
2010-2015
2012:
Publication of Moving Dhamma Volume 1:
Bhante publishes Moving Dhamma Volume 1, providing commentary on key Buddhist suttas. In this book, Bhante focuses on the Six Rs method and explains how TWIM helps practitioners experience insight directly. This marks an important expansion of Bhante’s teaching materials.
2013:
Publication of Moving Dhamma Volume 2:
Following the success of Volume 1, Bhante publishes Moving Dhamma Volume 2, which continues to explore core teachings from the suttas, especially focusing on practical application of the Eightfold Path, right effort, and the progressive stages of meditation.
2014:
Publication of Life is Meditation, Meditation is Life:
This book emphasizes the integration of meditation into every aspect of daily life. Bhante stresses that meditation is not just about formal practice but is about bringing mindfulness and loving-kindness into every moment.
2015:
Publication of A Guide to Forgiveness Meditation:
Bhante introduces Forgiveness Meditation as a method to dissolve emotional blocks that hinder the development of loving-kindness (mettā). This method allows practitioners to release emotional pain and develop deeper compassion for themselves and others.
2016-2020
2016:
Revised Edition of A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation:
Bhante updates his guide to TWIM with additional insights and clarifications based on feedback from students and ongoing teaching at DSMC. This edition provides more in-depth instructions on the 6Rs and the progressive states of jhāna.
2017-2019:
Retreats and Global Teaching:
Bhante begins offering retreats and teachings worldwide, spreading the TWIM method to a larger audience. His focus on sutta-based teachings gains attention from practitioners seeking an alternative to more concentration-heavy practices. DSMC continues to grow as a hub for meditation, with students visiting from around the world.
2019:
Collaboration with David C. Johnson:
Bhante collaborates with David C. Johnson on The Path to Nibbāna, a book that provides a detailed guide to TWIM and the Tranquil Aware Jhānas, offering a sutta-based pathway to Nibbāna. This collaboration helps refine Bhante’s teachings for a wider audience.
2021-2023
2021:
Publication of Moving Dhamma Volume 2 (Updated Edition):
Bhante updates Volume 2 of Moving Dhamma with additional teachings and sutta explanations. This volume expands on earlier teachings, offering more nuanced insights into how the suttas can be directly applied in meditation.
Collaboration with Delson Armstrong on Dependent Origination Series:
Bhante continues his collaboration with Delson Armstrong, editing and contributing to the Dependent Origination Series, which covers the 12 links of dependent origination, a core teaching of the Buddha essential for understanding the nature of suffering and Nibbāna.
2022:
Updated Edition of Life is Meditation, Meditation is Life:
Bhante releases an updated edition of this book, incorporating new insights into how meditation can permeate every aspect of life. The 2022 version highlights how daily mindfulness can lead to profound insight into the nature of suffering and the path to awakening.
International Teaching and Retreats Continue:
Bhante’s international reach grows as he continues to conduct retreats and teach online, helping spread TWIM to practitioners around the world. The 6Rs method becomes a cornerstone of his teaching, promoting the relaxation and joy necessary for true insight.
2023:
Continued Refinement of TWIM Practice:
Bhante continues updating and revising his key texts. He also remains deeply involved in refining the TWIM method, ensuring that it stays accessible to both beginner and advanced practitioners.
Focus on Global Spread of TWIM:
Bhante’s teachings are now available globally, and he continues to be an influential figure in bringing back sutta-based, insight-focused meditation practices that emphasize loving-kindness and mindfulness as foundational practices.
This expanded timeline offers a comprehensive view of Bhante Vimalaramsi's key achievements, teachings, and publications over the years, from his early days as a monk in Myanmar to his global influence through TWIM and sutta-based meditation.
