“On Samatha And Vipassana: Some Case Studies From Burma And The Socio-Political Implications Of Their Practice”
Presented by Dr. Gustaaf Houtman, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
Date: Tuesday November 27, 2007
Time: 2:30-3:30 PM
Place: Centre for Southeast Asia Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall
In Burma there are two systems of meditation, broadly classified as samatha meditation and vipassana contemplation. Whilst these two are interdependent in many ways, these nevertheless have very different meanings in personal lives. Here I present some case studies to consider the political implications of these practices.
Dr Gustaaf Houtman is the Editor of Anthropology Today and served as the Deputy Director of the Royal Anthropology Institute in London. His book, Mental Culture in Burmese Crisis Politics (1999), discusses the Buddhist dimensions to Burma’s conflict between the opposition and the ruling military.