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 |
REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
Coronavirus Safety Measures at Dhamma Kuñja
Dhamma Kuñja is making every effort to offer safe Vipassana courses while Covid continues to circulate in the population. Anyone with symptoms of illness, a positive Covid test, or exposure to Covid within the past 10 days will be asked to stay home.
Vaccine:
A Covid vaccination is no longer required.
Testing:
- Please take a rapid antigen test before arriving at the Center. Take a photograph of the results which you can display at the registration table when you get to the Center. If this is not possible, you will be asked to take the test upon arrival.
- On the third day of the course, you will be asked to take another test - please bring an additional test with you. Order free tests.
Masking:
- We require that students and servers wear N95 or KN95 masks at all times indoors, including in the Meditation Hall, Pagoda hallways, and whenever NOT seated for meals in the dining halls. Please bring an adequate supply of masks. Masks are not required inside your private room, inside a meditation cell, while eating or drinking, or outdoors.
- If you carpool to the Center, we require that everyone in the car wears a mask.
- On the third day, after everyone has completed a second Covid test, wearing masks in public areas will be optional. Anyone with a positive test will be asked to return home.
Accommodations:
- Courses before August 16th will be operating at half-capacity and students will be accommodated in single rooms with a private bath
- Beginning August 16th, Dhamma Kuñja will return to full-capacity and students will be housed in double rooms with a shared bath.
Anyone with any of the following conditions should not apply at this time:
- Testing positive with Covid-19 virus or direct contact with someone who tested positive within 10 days prior to arrival at the Center
- Experiencing any of the Covid-19 symptoms
- Significant changes that involve higher risk of contracting Covid-19 viruses (traveling, moving residences or others moving into their home, changing jobs, etc.)
Although Dhamma Kuñja is taking all precautions, there still remains minimal risk of exposure to Covid-19 while at the Center. Please note certain conditions may increase the risk of serious illness from Coronavirus. If you have any of these conditions, you may want to consider applying to a later course when Covid-19 is no longer a public health concern.
For questions, please contact Registration
No First-time students. 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day courses are short courses for Old Students only.
For Old Students, Virtual Sittings are taking place and in-person group sittings are being held at the Hillsboro Site
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jul 01 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Redmond, WA |
New Course!!For old students |
| Apply | Aug 16 - Aug 20 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath Allergy Information |
| Dec 13 - Dec 17 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 13 | Onalaska |
For old students Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 06 | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 05 | Onalaska |
For old students |
|
| Feb 07 - Feb 11 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 08 | Onalaska |
For old students Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
APPLICATION RESTRICTIONS
- First-time students may sit, but not serve; they are restricted to one active application at Dhamma Kuñja
- Waitlisted Old Students may apply to sit a second course; two course limit; once accepted for a course, all other applications will be cancelled
- Multiple serving applications are welcome
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.
Courses open for applications at 7am PDT on the date listed below
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jun 04 - Jun 07 | Between Course Service Period | In Progress | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | Jun 07 - Jun 18 | 10-Day | Women - Course Full Men - Short Wait List Servers - Wait List | Onalaska |
Allergy Information Servers Needed |
| Apply | Jun 18 - Jun 28 | 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. |
| Apply | Jun 28 - Jul 09 |
10-Day Bilingual Course
English / Thai |
Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Open Male Server - Wait List | Onalaska |
This course is offered with instructions and discourses in both Thai and English languages. The course format will be the same as regular 10-day courses. Thai speakers will be given priority in admission. Allergy Information |
| Apply | Jul 09 - Jul 13 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | Jul 13 - Aug 13 | 30-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Allergy Information |
| Apply | Aug 13 - Aug 16 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | Aug 20 - Aug 30 | 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. |
| Aug 26 - Aug 27 | Open House | Open | Onalaska |
Annual Open House at Dhamma Kunja. Interested Old Students are welcome to serve - please apply for the Service Period beginning 8/20 and specify the days that you would like to attend. |
|
| Apply | Aug 30 - Sep 10 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Onalaska |
Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath Allergy Information |
| Apply | Sep 10 - Sep 13 | Between Course Service Period | Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | Sep 13 - Sep 24 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Onalaska |
Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath Allergy Information |
| Apply | Sep 24 - Oct 18 | 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. |
| Oct 06 - Oct 08 | Trust Retreat | Applications accepted starting Jun 08 | Onalaska |
For old students Bi-Annual retreat of the Dhamma Kunja Trust. Interested Old Students may serve - please apply for the Service Period beginning 9/24 and specify the days that you would like to attend. |
|
| Oct 10 - Oct 16 | Assistant Teacher Workshop | Applications accepted starting Jun 12 | Onalaska |
For old students |
|
| Oct 18 - Oct 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 18 | Onalaska |
Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath Allergy Information |
|
| Oct 29 - Nov 01 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 01 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Nov 01 - Nov 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 02 | Onalaska |
Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
|
| Nov 12 - Nov 15 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 16 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Nov 15 - Nov 26 | 10-day Black Heritage | Applications accepted starting Jul 16 | Onalaska |
This course is offered specifically for the Black community. The course format will be the same as regular 10-day courses. Priority will be given to students and servers with Black heritage. Others will initially be placed on a waiting list and may be accepted on a space-available basis. Applicants may use the ‘anything to add’ section at the end of the application to identify their heritage, in order to ensure priority of enrollment. Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
|
| Nov 26 - Nov 29 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 30 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Nov 29 - Dec 10 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 30 | Onalaska |
Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
|
| Dec 10 - Dec 13 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 13 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Dec 17 - Dec 21 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 20 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| December 21, 2023 - January 01, 2024 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 20 | Onalaska |
Notice: Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 01 - Jan 10 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 03 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Jan 10 - Jan 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 10 | Onalaska |
Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
|
| Jan 21 - Jan 24 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 24 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Jan 24 - Feb 04 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 24 | Onalaska |
Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
|
| Feb 04 - Feb 07 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 08 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Feb 11 - Feb 21 | House & Garden Days | Applications accepted starting Oct 15 | 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. |
|
| Feb 21 - Mar 03 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 22 | Onalaska |
Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
|
| Mar 03 - Mar 06 | Between Course Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 05 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Mar 06 - Mar 17 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 05 | Onalaska |
Allergy Information
Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
|
| Mar 20 - Mar 31 | 10-day LGBTQ+ | Applications accepted starting Nov 19 | Onalaska |
Allergy Information
This course is offered specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. The course format will be the same as regular 10-day courses. Priority will be given to members of this community. Others will initially be placed on a waiting list and may be accepted on a space-available basis. Applicants may use the 'anything to add' section at the end of the application to identify as LGBTQ+, in order to ensure priority of enrollment. Students will be housed in double-rooms with a shared bath |
Courses and Activities conducted at other locations.
Note: Idaho courses are sponsored by the Intermountain Vipassana Association, and Montana courses are sponsored by the Montana Vipassana Association| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jul 01 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Redmond, WA |
New Course!!For old students |
Courses for young people. Child courses are for ages 8-12; Teen courses are for ages 13-17.
See more information| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jun 24 | Children | Girls - Wait List Boys - Wait List Servers - Open | Onalaska | Anapana meditation course for kids ages 8 to 12 years. |
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.
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.
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.
Open Houses are held between meditation courses. All are welcome to attend and learn about Vipassana Meditation and the Center.
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.
