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.
Northwest Vipassana Meditation Center |
General Course Registration |
Child/Teen Course Registration |
| Child/Teen | Dhamma Kunja Main | Short Courses | Montana | Seattle Vipassana Hall |
No First Time students. 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day courses are short courses for Old Students only.
Seattle Vipassana Hall 1-Day courses are offered on the first Saturday of every month at the Seattle Vipassana Hall. See registration details here
Portland Vipassana Hall 1-Day courses are offered on the third Saturday of every month. More details here
Hillsboro Site 1-Day courses are offered on the first Sunday of every month. More details here
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jan 04 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Olympia |
For old students At Heart of Wellness site Registration is at 9:00am Course ends at 5pm |
| Apply | Feb 02 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Eugene, OR |
For old students Eugene Garden Club 9am-4:30pm |
| Apply | Feb 12 - Feb 16 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Short Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students |
| Jun 24 - Jun 28 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 23 | Onalaska |
For old students Allergy Information |
|
| Aug 26 - Aug 30 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 26 | Onalaska |
For old students Allergy Information |
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 | Dec 11 - Dec 22 | 10-Day | In Progress | Onalaska | |
| Apply | Dec 22 - Dec 25 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! |
| Apply | December 25, 2019 - January 05, 2020 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Long Wait List | Onalaska |
No Part-Time sitting or serving. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jan 05 - Jan 08 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! |
| Apply | Jan 08 - Jan 19 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Short Wait List | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses |
| Apply | Jan 19 - Jan 22 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! |
| Apply | Jan 22 - Feb 02 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Open Male Server - Short Wait List | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses |
| Apply | Feb 02 - Feb 12 | House & Garden Days | Servers - Open | 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. Applications may take up to 3 business days to process - Please apply in advance. Allergy Information |
| Apply | Feb 16 - Feb 19 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! |
| Apply | Feb 19 - Mar 01 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses |
| Apply | Mar 01 - Mar 04 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! |
| Apply | Mar 04 - Mar 15 | 10-Day | Women - Short Wait List Men - Short Wait List Servers - Open | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
| Apply | Mar 15 - Mar 18 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! |
| Apply | Mar 18 - Mar 29 | 10-Day | Women - Short Wait List Men - Short Wait List Servers - Open | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
| Apply | Mar 29 - Apr 08 | House & Garden Days | Servers - Open | 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. Applications may take up to 3 business days to process - Please apply in advance. Allergy Information |
| Apply | Apr 03 - Apr 05 | Trust Retreat | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Annual retreat of the Dhamma Kunja Trust. Interested Old Students may serve. |
| Apply | Apr 08 - Apr 19 | 10-Day | Open | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
| Apr 19 - Apr 22 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 19 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! |
|
| Apr 22 - May 03 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 22 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
|
| May 03 - May 06 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 02 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! |
|
| May 06 - May 17 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 05 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
|
| May 17 - May 27 | House & Garden Days | Applications accepted starting Jan 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. Applications may take up to 3 business days to process - Please apply in advance. Allergy Information |
|
| May 27 - Jun 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 26 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
|
| Jun 10 - Jun 21 |
Thai and English
English / Thai |
Applications accepted starting Feb 09 | Onalaska |
For English speaking students as well as Thai speakers. Priority from waiting list will be to Thai speakers. Allergy Information |
|
| Jul 01 - Jul 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 01 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
|
| Jul 17 - Jul 26 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Mar 17 | Onalaska |
For old students Allergy Information |
|
| Jul 29 - Aug 09 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 29 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
|
| Aug 12 - Aug 23 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 12 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
|
| Sep 02 - Sep 13 | 10 day Course for Government, Professional, and Business Leaders | Applications accepted starting Apr 02 | Onalaska |
This introductory 10 day Course is specifically for government, professional, and business leaders. Priority for the course is given to management/leaders working in mid-size to large organizations. Leaders in smaller organizations are welcome to apply and acceptance to the course will be offered as space permits. |
|
| Sep 23 - Oct 04 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 24 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
|
| Oct 09 - Oct 11 | Trust Retreat | Applications accepted starting Jun 09 | Onalaska |
For old students Annual retreat of the Dhamma Kunja Trust. Interested Old Students may serve. |
|
| Oct 14 - Oct 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 14 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses Allergy Information |
|
| Oct 25 - Oct 28 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 25 | Onalaska |
For old students Old Students Only. Help setup the next course - Part-Time Welcome! Allergy Information |
|
| Oct 28 - Nov 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 28 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses |
|
| Nov 11 - Nov 22 | Special 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 12 | 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. |
|
| Nov 25 - Dec 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 26 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses |
|
| Dec 09 - Dec 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 09 | Onalaska |
PT Sitting Old Students: 1st half- yes for all 2nd half- yes for student who has sat 3 TenDay courses |
|
| December 23, 2020 - January 03, 2021 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 23 | Onalaska | No Part-time sitting or serving. |
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)
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jan 04 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Olympia |
For old students At Heart of Wellness site Registration is at 9:00am Course ends at 5pm |
| Apply | Feb 02 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Eugene, OR |
For old students Eugene Garden Club 9am-4:30pm |
| Apply | Mar 28 | Children | Open | Seattle Vipassana Hall | This course is for 8-12 year olds. Male and Female servers are needed. Please apply in advance to allow us to process a server background check. |
| Jun 13 | Children | Applications accepted starting Dec 16 | Seattle Vipassana Hall | This course is for children ages 8 to 12 years old. Male and Female servers are needed. Please apply in advance to allow time for background check. | |
| Oct 10 | Teen | Applications accepted starting Apr 13 | Seattle Vipassana Hall | This course is for Teens ages 12 to 17 years old. Male and Female Server needed. Please advance to allow time for background check processing. |
Courses for young people. Child courses are for ages 8-12; Teen courses are for ages 13-17.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Mar 28 | Children | Open | Seattle Vipassana Hall | This course is for 8-12 year olds. Male and Female servers are needed. Please apply in advance to allow us to process a server background check. |
| Jun 13 | Children | Applications accepted starting Dec 16 | Seattle Vipassana Hall | This course is for children ages 8 to 12 years old. Male and Female servers are needed. Please apply in advance to allow time for background check. | |
| Oct 10 | Teen | Applications accepted starting Apr 13 | Seattle Vipassana Hall | This course is for Teens ages 12 to 17 years old. Male and Female Server needed. Please advance to allow time for background check processing. |
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://www.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.
10-day Executive Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation especially for business executives and government officials where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. For more information please visit the Executive course website. 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 7:30am.
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.
Children's Courses are open for all children aged 8-12 years old who wish to learn to meditate. Their parents/guardians do not have to be meditators.
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.
