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 Northwest Vipassana Center, also known as Dhamma Kuñja, is situated on 50 acres in rural western Washington, conveniently located approximately two hours drive from both Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. It was established in August 1991 to offer training in Vipassana meditation.
- 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.
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Northwest Vipassana Meditation Center |
General Course Registration |
Child/Teen Course Registration |
OLD and FIRST TIME students allowed only 1 application for sitting, excluding Long Courses. Must cancel 1st before applying again for sitting. Can sit and also serve. Multiple serving applications fine.
To allow others to sit, please don't apply to sit if you have completed sitting a 10-Day course within the last 6 months.
PRE-APPLICATION GUIDELINES
In the interest of providing the safest environment possible at Dhamma Kuñja, we have adopted new safety measures based on the CDC and Washington State guidelines. Before applying for a course, whether for sitting or for serving, please consider carefully the information below.
Anyone with any of the following conditions should not apply at this time:
* Testing positive with Covid-19 virus.
* Direct contact with someone who tested positive with Covid-19 virus.
* Not consistently wearing a mask and maintaining 6’ physical distance from others while away from home.
* Close contact with anyone who does not routinely wear a mask and maintain social distancing while outside of their home.
* Experiencing any of the following Covid-19 symptoms:
o new or worsening cough
o mild or moderate difficulty breathing
o fever or chills
o sore throat
o vomiting or diarrhea
o headache
o body/muscle aches
o sustained loss of smell, taste, or appetite
o fatigue
* Significant changes that involve higher risk of contracting Covid-19 viruses (traveling, moving residences or others moving into their home, changing jobs, etc.)
Everyone coming to the Center will be screened for the above conditions at the time of their arrival. Anyone with any symptoms of Covid-19, flu, virus, or other serious communicable illnesses will be asked to return home immediately.
Although the Center is taking all precautions, there still remains risk of exposure to COVID-19 while at the Center. Please note certain conditions may increase the risk of serious illness from Coronavirus. These conditions include:
* Age over 65 years
* Chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
* Serious heart conditions
* Immuno-compromise (e.g. from cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplant, immune deficiency, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, or prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications)
* Severely overweight (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
* Diabetes
* Chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
* Liver disease
* Pregnancy
If you have any of the above conditions, it is advised that you not place yourself at risk to Covid-19 by coming to the Center at this time.
Travel
At this time, to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone at the Center, we are unable to accept anyone who will be flying, car-pooling/ride share, or taking public transportation to the Center.
Diet
Due to the extra demands on servers at this time, we regret that we are unable to accept servers or students who have special dietary requirements.
Various additional precautions are being taken at the Center to protect against the virus. These include: individual rooms, social distancing, assigned seats in dining hall, and requiring masks while in the Dhamma Hall.
In the case of illness while at the Center
We regret that we do not have the facilities or resources to take care of those who fall ill while at the Center. Therefore, please note that if you fall ill with flu, a virus, or similar symptoms, you will be quarantined and will be asked to leave the Center as soon as possible.
If you fall ill and are unable to independently return home, you will need to ask your emergency contact for assistance in arranging your return home. Please advise them of this possibility prior to coming to the Center.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Registration at: [email protected] .
No First Time students. 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day courses are short courses for Old Students only.
ALL GROUP SITTINGS AND 1DAY COURSES ARE SUSPENDED AS OF MARCH 13, 2020.
For Old Students, Virtual Sittings are taking place. Please visit: Virtual Sitting web page
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Hillsboro Site when safe will re-open More details here
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 11 - Feb 15 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 13 | Onalaska |
For old students |
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| Jul 07 - Jul 11 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting May 09 | Onalaska |
For old students Allergy Information |
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| Oct 06 - Oct 10 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 07 | Onalaska |
For old students |
First Time and Old Students welcome. First Time students may sit, but not serve.
All ten day courses begin on the evening of the first day on the schedule, and end on the early morning of the last day on the schedule.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Oct 14 - Oct 25 | 10-Day | In Progress | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
| Apply | Oct 25 - Oct 28 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing Allergy Information |
| Apply | Oct 28 - Nov 08 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Short Wait List | Onalaska | |
| Apply | Nov 08 - Nov 11 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing Allergy Information |
| Apply | Nov 11 - Nov 22 | Special 10-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Short Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Onalaska |
For old students Minimum of five 10-day courses, one Satipatthana Sutta course, given Dhamma Service at least one 10-day course, and regular practice at least 2 years. Long Course Application: Submit by October10. |
| Apply | Nov 22 - Nov 25 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
| Apply | Nov 25 - Dec 06 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Open Male Server - Short Wait List | Onalaska | |
| Apply | Dec 06 - Dec 09 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
| Apply | Dec 09 - Dec 20 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Short Wait List | Onalaska | |
| Dec 20 - Dec 23 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 20 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Apply | December 23, 2020 - January 03, 2021 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Short Wait List | Onalaska | Course opened 10/18 and filled quickly with a long waitlist. Course is full and now closed. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 03 - Jan 06 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 03 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
|
| Jan 06 - Jan 17 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 08 | Onalaska | ||
| Jan 17 - Jan 20 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 17 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Jan 20 - Jan 31 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 21 | Onalaska | ||
| Jan 31 - Feb 10 | House and Garden Days | Applications accepted starting Dec 01 | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. Reserved for old students. Applications may take up to 5 business days to process - Please apply in advance. |
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| Feb 15 - Feb 17 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 16 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Feb 17 - Feb 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 19 | Onalaska | ||
| Feb 28 - Mar 03 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 29 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
|
| Mar 03 - Mar 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 02 | Onalaska | ||
| Mar 14 - Mar 19 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 12 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Mar 19 - Mar 28 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Jan 17 | Onalaska |
For old students |
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| Mar 28 - Apr 07 | House and Garden Days | Applications accepted starting Jan 26 | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. Reserved for old students. Applications may take up to 5 business days to process - Please apply in advance. |
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| Apr 02 - Apr 04 | Trust Retreat | Applications accepted starting Jan 31 | Onalaska |
For old students Annual retreat of the Dhamma Kunja Trust. Interested Old Students may serve. |
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| Apr 07 - Apr 18 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 07 | Onalaska | Allergy Information | |
| Apr 18 - Apr 21 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 16 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Apr 21 - May 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 20 | Onalaska | Allergy Information | |
| May 02 - May 05 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 02 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| May 05 - May 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 07 | Onalaska | Allergy Information | |
| May 16 - May 26 | House and Garden Days | Applications accepted starting Mar 16 | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. Reserved for old students. Applications may take up to 5 business days to process - Please apply in advance. |
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| May 26 - Jun 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 28 | Onalaska | Allergy Information | |
| Jun 06 - Jun 09 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 06 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Jun 09 - Jun 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 09 | Onalaska | Allergy Information | |
| Jun 20 - Jun 23 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 20 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Jun 23 - Jul 04 |
Thai/English
English / Thai |
Applications accepted starting Apr 24 | Onalaska | For English speaking students as well as Thai speakers. Priority from waiting list will be to Thai speakers. | |
| Jul 04 - Jul 07 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 04 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Jul 11 - Jul 18 | House and Garden Days | Applications accepted starting May 11 | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. Reserved for old students. Applications may take up to 3 business days to process - Please apply in advance. |
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| Jul 18 - Aug 08 | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 18 | Onalaska |
For old students Minimum of five 10-day courses, one Satipatthana Sutta course, given Dhamma Service at least one 10-day course, and regular practice at least 2 years. Long Course Application: Submit by June 18. Allergy Information |
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| Aug 08 - Aug 11 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 08 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Aug 11 - Aug 22 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 12 | Onalaska | Allergy Information | |
| Aug 22 - Aug 25 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 22 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Aug 25 - Sep 05 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 27 | Onalaska | Allergy Information | |
| Sep 15 - Sep 26 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 18 | Onalaska | Allergy Information | |
| Oct 01 - Oct 03 | Trust Retreat | Applications accepted starting Aug 01 | Onalaska |
For old students Annual retreat of the Dhamma Kunja Trust. Interested Old Students may serve. |
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| Oct 10 - Oct 13 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 10 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
|
| Oct 13 - Oct 24 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 15 | Onalaska | ||
| Oct 24 - Oct 27 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 24 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Oct 27 - Nov 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 29 | Onalaska | ||
| Nov 07 - Nov 10 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 07 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Masks and Social Distancing |
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| Nov 10 - Nov 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 11 | Onalaska | ||
| Nov 24 - Dec 05 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 26 | Onalaska | ||
| Dec 08 - Dec 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 09 | Onalaska | ||
| December 22, 2021 - January 02, 2022 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 24 | Onalaska |
Note: courses in Oregon are sponsored by the Oregon Vipassana Association (www.or.us.dhamma.org). Idaho courses are sponsored by the Idaho Vipassana Association (www.id.us.dhamma.org), and the Montana courses are sponsored by the Montana Vipassana Association (www.mt.us.dhamma.org)
Courses for young people. Child courses are for ages 8-12; Teen courses are for ages 13-17.
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://kunja.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.
Special 10-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.
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.
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.
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.
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 participate. 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.
