Born in Myanmar, Goenkaji enjoyed early success and status in life as a leading industrialist and leader of the Hindu community. However, this brought no inner peace, which led him to take a course of Vipassana under Sayagyi U Ba Khin in 1955. He studied with Sayagyi U Ba Khin for fourteen years. Unable to leave Myanmar himself, but convinced the “time clock of Vipassana had struck,” Sayagyi encouraged Goenkaji to take Dhamma to the land of its origin, and in 1969 Goenkaji left Myanmar for India and began conducting courses. From there Vipassana has spread all around the world. His first foreign Dhamma tour in 1979 included two courses in the UK. He appointed many teachers worldwide who continue to teach the courses on his behalf.