Insight Meditation Society

Description of Organization

In 1975, a group of young teachers – Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg and Jack Kornfield – decided to start a meditation retreat center. Having traveled and taught around the country the previous year, they recognized the value and support that a dedicated facility would provide. On February 14, 1976, a small band of teachers and staff opened the center. Over the years, IMS has hosted many renowned Asian Buddhist masters. Some have come for short visits to give their blessings and offer teachings. Others have stayed for months at a time leading yogi in intensive practice. These teachers have represented many traditions: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, and Tara Tulku from the Tibetan tradition; Seung Sahn Sunim and Venerable Ku San from the Korean Zen lineages; and from the Theravada tradition, Anagarika Munindra and Dipa Ma, the Venerables Mahasi Sayadaw, Sayadaw U Pandita, Taungpulu Sayadaw, Ajahn Chah, Bhante Gunaratana, Sayadaw U Janaka, Sayadaw U Lakkhana, Sayadaw U Tejaniya and others.