Vipassana pioneer SN Goenka is dead

Mumbai: Spiritualist and pioneer of the Vipassanameditation in India, SN Goenka, 90, died late Sunday night at his residence in Mumbai due to old age, an aide said here on Monday. He is survived by his wife Mata Elaichidevi and six sons.
Zeenews online reported the funeral would be held on Tuesday in Jogeshwari electric crematorium, said aide Gautam Gaikwad.
Goenka started teaching Vipassana meditation in 1969 and followed it up with a meditation centre in Igatpuri, near Nashik, in 1976.
Last year, Goenka was conferred the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award.
Born and raised in Burma, Goenka was a successful businessman when he came in contact with the late Sayagyi U Ba Khin, who taught him the Vipassana techniques.
After 14 years training under Sayagyi, Goenka decided to settle in India and started teaching Vipassana meditation in 1969.
He established the Vipassana International Academy, a meditation centre in Igatpuri in 1976. Later, 172 more such centres blossomed worldwide, including 75 in India.