The Vipassanā movement refers to a branch of modern Burmese Theravāda Buddhism that promotes "bare insight" (Sukkha-Vipassana) meditation practice to develop insight into the three marks of existence and attain stream entry. It has gained widespread popularity since the 1950s, including through its Western derivatives, which have been popularised since the 1970s, giving rise to the more dhyana-oriented mindfulness movement. They have also influenced Western teachers, who have tended to take a more liberal approach, questioning the new orthodoxy and integrating various practices and doctrines.
Since the 1980s, the Vipassana movement has given way <!--Among Asian Theravada Buddhists, among Theravada Buddhists in general or among Westerners interested in meditation?--> to the largely secularised "mindfulness" practice, which has its roots in Zen and Vipassana meditation, and has eclipsed the popularity of Vipassana meditation. In the latter approach, mindfulness, understood as "the awareness that arises by paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally", is the central practice, instead of Vipassana.
Meditation techniques
The Vipassanā movement emphasises the use of Vipassanā to gain insight into the three marks of existence as the main means to attain wisdom and the beginning of awakening and become a stream-enterer, or even attain full liberation. The practices are based on the Satipatthana Sutta, the Visuddhimagga, and other texts, emphasising satipatthana and bare insight.
The various movements espouse forms of samatha and Vipassanā meditation. The various Vipassana teachers also make use of the scheme of the insight knowledges, stages of insight which every practitioner passes through in their progress of meditation.