in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Center Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
The Shelburne center, founded in 1982, was the first center in North America. The original facility was merely a roomy, comfortable two-story house and barn on eight acres of meadowland. In 1989, a group of meditators donated an adjoining seventy acres of land. Today the center consists of 108 acres and many new buildings have been added, including a bathhouse, two dining rooms, meditation hall for 200, a 140 cell pagoda, separate residences for men and women and a center manager's house.
- Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course. Old students will be given the option to serve.
- Please carefully read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline which you will be asked to follow during your course.
- Fully and completely fill out all the sections of application form and submit it. An application is required to register for all courses.
- Await notification. All correspondence will be through e-mail if you give an e-mail address in your application. Due to the large volume of applications, it may take up to two weeks before receiving notification.
- If your application is accepted then we require you to confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course.
Vipassana Meditation Center - Dhamma Dharā
386 Colrain-Shelburne Road
Shelburne, Massachusetts 01370-9672 USA
Tel: [1](413) 625-2160
Fax: [1](413) 625-2170
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://dhara.dhamma.org
The courses will open up to accept applications four months before the start of the course. Course registration will start at 6 AM on the listed dates. Students may apply to sit no more than two 10-day courses per year. Any additional applications will not be processed.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 04 - Oct 05 |
Teen Course (ages 13 - 17) |
Applications accepted starting Aug 04 | Shelburne Falls |
Teen Course for ages 13 - 17. |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 - Jul 06 |
10-Day
English / Burmese |
Completed | Shelburne Falls |
Priority will be given to Burmese-speaking students who are not fluent in English |
|
| Apply | Jul 06 - Jul 09 | Service Period | In Progress | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Apply | Jul 09 - Jul 20 |
10-Day
English / Thai |
Women - FULL Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Shelburne Falls |
Priority will be given to Thai-speaking students who are not fluent in English |
| Apply | Jul 20 - Jul 26 | Service Period | Open | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Apply | Jul 26 - Aug 16 | 20-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
| Apply | Aug 16 - Aug 20 | Service Period | Open | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Apply | Aug 20 - Aug 31 |
10-Day
English / Khmer |
Women - Closed Men - Wait List Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Shelburne Falls |
Priority will be given to Khmer-speaking students who are not fluent in English |
| Apply | Aug 31 - Sep 03 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Apply | Sep 03 - Sep 14 |
10-Day
English / Vietnamese |
Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
Priority will be given to Vietnamese-speaking students |
| Apply | Sep 14 - Sep 17 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Apply | Sep 17 - Sep 28 |
10-Day Black Heritage Course |
Women - Wait List Men - Short Wait List Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Shelburne Falls |
Priority will be given to individuals identifying as having Black or Latine Heritage |
| Apply | Sep 28 - Oct 08 |
Seasonal Dhamma Service Period |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Apply | Oct 08 - Oct 17 | Satipatthana Sutta | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
| Apply | Oct 17 - Oct 22 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Apply | Oct 22 - Nov 02 | 10-Day | Women - Course Full New Men - Open Old Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
| Apply | Nov 02 - Nov 05 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Apply | Nov 05 - Nov 16 |
10-Day
English / Spanish |
Women - Long Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | Shelburne Falls |
Priority given to Spanish-speaking students |
| Nov 16 - Nov 19 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 19 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Nov 19 - Nov 30 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 22 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Nov 30 - Dec 03 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 02 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Dec 03 - Dec 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 05 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Dec 21 - Dec 24 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 23 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| December 24, 2025 - January 04, 2026 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 26 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04 - Jan 07 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 06 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Jan 07 - Feb 07 |
30-Day |
Applications accepted starting Jul 07 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Jan 07 - Feb 22 |
45-Day |
Applications accepted starting Jul 07 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Feb 25 - Mar 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 28 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Mar 08 - Mar 11 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 08 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Mar 11 - Mar 15 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 11 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Mar 15 - Mar 18 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 15 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Mar 18 - Mar 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 18 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Mar 29 - Apr 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 29 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Apr 01 - Apr 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 02 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Apr 12 - Apr 15 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 13 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Apr 15 - Apr 26 |
10-Day
Hindi / English |
Applications accepted starting Dec 16 | Shelburne Falls |
Priority will be given to Hindi-speaking students who are not fluent in English For new and old students |
|
| Apr 26 - May 06 |
Seasonal Dhamma Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 27 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| May 06 - May 15 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Jan 06 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| May 17 - May 20 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 18 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| May 20 - May 31 |
10-Day
English / Khmer |
Applications accepted starting Jan 20 | Shelburne Falls |
Priority will be given to Khmer-speaking students who are not fluent in English |
|
| May 31 - Jun 03 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 31 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Jun 03 - Jun 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 03 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Jun 14 - Jun 17 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 14 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Jun 17 - Jun 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 17 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Jun 28 - Jul 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 28 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Jul 01 - Jul 12 |
10-Day
English / Burmese |
Applications accepted starting Mar 03 | Shelburne Falls |
Priority will be given to Burmese-speaking students who are not fluent in English |
|
| Jul 12 - Jul 17 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 14 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students 5-DAY SERVICE PERIOD |
|
| Jul 18 - Aug 08 |
20-Day |
Applications accepted starting Mar 20 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Aug 09 - Aug 12 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 11 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Aug 12 - Aug 23 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 14 | Shelburne Falls | ||
| Aug 23 - Aug 26 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 25 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Aug 26 - Sep 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 28 | Shelburne Falls |
Priority consideration will be extended to applicants who identify as part of the Black community. For new and old students |
|
| Sep 06 - Sep 09 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 09 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Sep 09 - Sep 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 12 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Sep 20 - Sep 30 |
Seasonal Dhamma Service Period |
Applications accepted starting May 23 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Sep 30 - Oct 09 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Jun 02 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Oct 12 - Oct 14 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 14 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Oct 14 - Oct 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 16 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Oct 25 - Oct 28 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 27 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Oct 28 - Nov 01 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 30 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Nov 01 - Nov 04 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 04 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Nov 04 - Nov 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 15 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Nov 15 - Nov 18 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 18 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Nov 18 - Nov 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 18 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Nov 29 - Dec 02 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 01 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Dec 02 - Dec 13 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 04 | Shelburne Falls | ||
| Dec 13 - Dec 16 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 15 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Dec 16 - Dec 27 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 18 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
|
| Dec 27 - Dec 30 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 29 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| December 30, 2026 - January 10, 2027 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 01 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10 - Jan 12 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 12 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
|
| Jan 12 - Feb 12 |
30-DAY |
Applications accepted starting Jul 14 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Jan 12 - Feb 27 |
45-Day |
Applications accepted starting Jul 14 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Feb 28 - Mar 03 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 31 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jul 06 |
Dhamma Service Day English |
In Progress | New York, NY |
For old students More info: DSD at DH |
| Apply | Jul 11 |
1-Day
English |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | New York, NY |
New Course!!For old students On Friday. Led by an Assistant Teacher |
| Apply | Jul 12 |
1-Day
English |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Wait List | New York, NY |
For old students |
| Apply | Jul 12 |
1-Day
English |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Scotch Plains NJ |
For old students Led by an Assistant Teacher. At Scotch Plains NJ |
| Apply | Jul 13 |
1-Day
English |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Female Server - Open Male Server - Wait List | New York, NY |
For old students |
| Apply | Jul 19 |
1-Day
English / Burmese |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Wait List | New York, NY |
For old students |
The online application form encrypts your information before it is sent from your computer to our application server. However, it may not be totally secure even though encryption is used. If you are concerned about the possibility of security risks of your confidential information while it is on the Internet, do not use this form and instead download an application. Print and complete it. Then please send the form to the course organizers. By faxing or posting your application form it may delay the registration process by one to two weeks.
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://dhara.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.
Questions may be addressed to Email: [email protected]
All courses are run solely on a donation basis. All expenses are met by donations from those who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the same opportunity. Neither the Teacher nor the assistant teachers receive remuneration; they and those who serve the courses volunteer their time. Thus Vipassana is offered free from commercialisation.
Old students are those who have completed a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course with S.N. Goenka or his Assistant Teachers. Old students have the opportunity to provide Dhamma Service at the courses listed.
Bilingual courses are courses which are taught in two languages. All students will hear daily meditation instructions in both languages. The evening discourses will be heard separately.
Meditation courses are held at both center and non-center locations. Meditation centers are dedicated facilities where courses are held regularly throughout the year. Before meditation centers were established in this tradition, all courses were held at temporary sites, such as campgrounds, religious retreat centers, churches and the like. Today, in regions where centers have not yet been established by local students of Vipassana who live in the area, 10 Day meditation courses are held at non-center course sites.
10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am.
Teenagers' Anapana Courses are available for teens in different age ranges from 13-18 years old. Their parents/guardians do not have to be Vipassana meditators.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
Old Student Short Courses (1-3 days) are for any student who has completed the 10-day course with S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers. All old students are welcome to apply to attend these courses, including those where it has been some time since their last course.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
Old Student Programs are similar to Service Periods where there is time to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects, but have a more full and structured program, an opportunity to meet with assistant teachers, and possibly committee and trust meetings. All Old Students are welcome to participate. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods and in the evening there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.
Satipatthana Sutta Courses have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day courses. The difference is that in the taped evening discourses the Satipatthana Sutta is carefully examined. This is the principal text in which the technique of Vipassana is systematically explained. These courses are open to serious old students who have sat (not including courses served) at least three 10-day courses, have not been practising any other meditation techniques since last 10-day course, have been practising this technique of Vipassana for at least one year, and who are trying to maintain their meditation practice and the five precepts in their daily lives, at the very minimum from the time of applying to the course.
Service Periods have been set aside to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects. All Old Students are welcome to apply. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. On selected evenings, there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
20-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of five 10-day courses , one Satipatthana Sutta course, given Dhamma Service at least one 10-day course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two years.
30-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of six 10-day courses (one since their first 20-day course), one 20-day course, one Satipatthana Sutta course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two years.
45-day Courses are open only to persons involved in Dhamma Service and Assistant Teachers who have completed a minimum of seven 10-day courses (one since their first 30-day course), two 30-day courses, one Satipatthana Sutta course, and have been practicing regularly for at least three years.
Applications must be submitted well in advance as processing may take some time. Students who speak neither English nor one of the other announced course languages may apply for the course, however acceptance into the course will depend on the availability of required course materials, suitable translators and permission of the teacher conducting the course.
