What is Vipassana?
Vipassana Meditation is the unique meditation discovered by the Buddha. He practiced this technique and attained enlightenment and then taught it to his disciples and lay people during his time. This meditation has been followed until today. The ultimate goal of Vipassana Meditation is to lead to the realization of Nibbāna or enlightenment
“This is the only way, bhikkhus, for the purification of beings,
for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation,
for the disappearance of pain and grief,
for reaching the Noble Path,
for the realization of Nibbāna,
namely, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.”
The Buddha, "Mahā-Satipathana Sutta" (The Great Discourse on the Foundation of Mindfulness)
The practice of Vipassanā meditation leads meditators to a clear understanding of the ultimate realities. With such an understanding, meditators are able to get rid of ignorance and craving, the source of grasping and suffering. Once the practice is mature, meditators will experience Nibbāna and attain enlightenment, an ultimate emancipation of all suffering or a total freedom.
Vipassana meditation is translated as Insight Meditation because it helps meditators to gain insight into the nature of mental and material phenomena such as three common characteristics as impermanent, unsatisfactory, and non-self. It is also known as Mindfulness Meditation because the object of this meditation practice belongs to one or more of the four foundations of mindfulness such as body, feelings, mind, and Dhamma objects. It is also called Tathāgata Meditation since any Boddhisatta (would-be Buddha) who wants to become a Buddha (Tathāgata) must practice this meditation.