## Summary Goenka’s 10-day Vipassana courses hinge on mastering key Pāli terms that map the practice: observing **Vedanā** (sensations) with **Sati** (mindfulness) reveals **Anicca** (impermanence), **Dukkha** (unsatisfactoriness) and **Anatta** (not-self) in each moment. Recognizing and noting these fleeting experiences also brings to light the **Saṅkhāra** (volitional formations) that drive reactive patterns. Below is a concise 5-term cheat sheet to help you integrate Goenka’s vocabulary into your daily practice. --- ## Cheat Sheet of Goenka’s Core Pāli Terms ### 1. Anicca (Impermanence) **Definition:** The universal characteristic that **all phenomena**—physical or mental—are constantly changing, decaying, and dissolving. **Context in Goenka’s Teaching:** You note every rising and passing body-mind event (e.g., sensations during body scan) as “anicca” to weaken the habit of craving stability. - Lion’s Roar: “Impermanence … all phenomena … are subject to change, decay, and death” ([Impermanence (Anicca) | Lion's Roar](https://www.lionsroar.com/buddhism/impermanence-anicca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Wikipedia: “The Pali word … anicca refers to its exact opposite [of permanence]” ([Impermanence - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impermanence?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ### 2. Dukkha (Unsatisfactoriness) **Definition:** The inherent “unease” or “unsatisfactoriness” arising from craving and clinging—encompassing pain, discomfort, and even subtle restlessness. **Context in Goenka’s Teaching:** By observing unpleasant sensations without aversion, you see firsthand that all vedanā is dukkha, breaking the cycle of reaction. - Britannica: “The first truth, suffering (Pali: dukkha …) is characteristic of existence in … samsara” ([Four Noble Truths | Definition & Facts - Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Four-Noble-Truths?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Spanish Wikipedia: Vipassanā defined by the truth of “anicca (‘impermanence’), dukkha (‘unsatisfactoriness’), and anatta” ([Vipassana](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassana?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ### 3. Anatta (Not-Self) **Definition:** The doctrine that **no permanent, unchanging self** or soul exists; all experiences arise dependently. **Context in Goenka’s Teaching:** You note “this is not me, this is not mine” when sensations arise, dissolving the ego’s grip. - Insight Meditation Center: “anatta: not-self, egoless, without essence” ([Dharma Lists and Select Pali terms - Insight Meditation Center](https://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/dharma-lists-and-select-pali-terms/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Spanish Wikipedia: Reaffirmed as one of the three marks alongside anicca and dukkha ([Vipassana](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassana?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ### 4. Vedanā (Sensation/Feeling) **Definition:** The “pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral” **feelings** that occur at the contact of sense-organ, object, and consciousness. **Context in Goenka’s Teaching:** Every moment of attention is on vedanā—assigning its tone (pleasant/unpleasant/neutral) and observing impermanence. - Wikipedia: “Vedanā … refers to the pleasant, unpleasant and neutral sensations … in contact with external sense objects” ([Vedanā](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedan%C4%81?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Encyclopedia of Buddhism: “Vedanā … sensations that occur when our internal sense organs come into contact with external sense objects” ([Vedanā - Encyclopedia of Buddhism](https://encyclopediaofbuddhism.org/wiki/Vedan%C4%81?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ### 5. Saṅkhāra (Mental Formations) **Definition:** The **volitional activities** or mental “fabrications”—habits, intentions, and latent reactions—that condition each moment. **Context in Goenka’s Teaching:** Through equanimous observation, arising sankhāras are “eroded,” weakening the subconscious patterns that fuel suffering. - Pure Dhamma: “Saṅkhāra … better grasped as … mental formations …” ([Introduction To Citta, Vēdanā, Saññā, Saṅkhāra, And Viññāṇa](https://puredhamma.net/living-dhamma/essential-buddhism/citta-vedana-sanna-sankhara-vinnana/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Spanish Wikipedia: “Saṅkhāra … refers to phenomena conditioned … ‘mental formations’ … dispositions” ([Sankhara](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankhara?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) --- Keep this cheat sheet handy—regularly review and note these terms during meditation to deepen insight and stabilize equanimity. #philosophy #vipassana #buddhism