There are many religions, spiritual methods of practices and meditations, sciences of divinity and various techniques of knowledges giving studies about the soul and God etc. There are many people all over the world who does not prefer even to listen the word religion (spirituality); nor prefer to talking of spiritual/religious practices but Vipasana has the elemental aspect to integrate all these two kinds of people into one fold. In Vipasana there is no need of mantras, rosaries, flowers and other kinds of materialistic things etc. for the worship of deity and also equally there is no need of any kind of deity for Vpasana. Hence non-believers, non-spiritualists and non-religious people also can practise Vipasana. No need of God in Vipasana as having been known to me through vipasana camps.
Vipasana explains the DHARMA(religion) as essential rules of Nature. In view of its, one example: the religion of fire is to burn and spread hotness and light. This rule is applicable universally all over the whole creation and this is the definition of religion according to Vipasana. Religion is the other name of universal principles which are equally applicable to all.
In Vipasana there is no contrast of religions but this technique can be accepted by all without any kind of prejudices and conditioning.
Bases of all religions are common and this is available in Vipasana which is called ethics as well as moralities (SHEELAS)
Yoga Darshana has eight steps while the Vipasana has three steps which are stated as 1. SHEEL (which is comprised of five main rules plus three secondary rules; total eight rules), 2. SAMADHI (contcentration and meditation), PRAGYA (supreme knowledge of the Self).
Vipasana has two parts---- 1. anapana (natural and spontaneous observation of breathing through mind applying awareness), 2. Getting the charity of vipasana through either shri S.N.Goinka or assistant teacher (this is the learning of vipasana technique how to observe sensations in body).