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
One of over 120 international centers where the technique of Vipassana meditation is taught and practiced, Dhamma Mahavana is situated on 109 acres of forested property in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Groves of oak, pine, cedar, and manzanita reinforce the California Vipassana Center's name of Dhamma Mahavana, Great Forest of Dhamma.
- 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.
| California Vipassana Meditation Center P.O. Box 1167, North Fork, CA 93643, USA http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org | General Course Registration Voice Mail: [1] (559) 876-8760 ext.1 Fax: [1] (559) 876-8761 [email protected] | Children / Teenager's Course Registration Voice Mail: [1] (408) 471-7642 Fax: [1] (800) 734-1558 [email protected] Children's Course Registration | Dhamma Service Registration Voice Mail: [1] (559) 876-8760 [email protected] |
First-time students may apply to sit only one 10 Day course at a time, even if the other course is in another state or is a waitlisted enrollment.
CHECK SPAM/JUNK MAIL or you may miss important email communications.
Covid-19 Protocol (updated 11/21/2021)
Attendance Requirements for ALL participants: Both are required
1. Proof of Full Vaccination against Covid-19
- Please be aware that Fake Vaccination Certificates are Illegal.
2. Participants are required to bring with them a Rapid Antigen (RA) Self-Test Kit.
When participants arrive, they will be asked to take the Rapid Antigen Test.
There will be no admission to the course without proof of full vaccination and a negative Rapid Antigen (RA) self-test taken at the time of arrival.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
All ten-day courses begin on the evening of the first day and end on the early morning of the last day.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
Registration opens for all courses around 7:05 a.m. Pacific Time
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Nov 17 - Nov 28 | 10-Day | In Progress | North Fork |
Servers Needed REQUIRED: Proof of vaccination AND Negative PCR test. See top of page for details. |
| Apply | Nov 28 - Dec 01 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course. Servers Needed REQUIRED: Proof of vaccination AND Negative PCR test. See top of page for details. |
| Apply | Dec 01 - Dec 12 | Special 10-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See top of page for Covid Protocol requirements |
| Apply | Dec 12 - Dec 15 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course. Servers Needed See top of page for Covid Protocol requirements |
| Apply | Dec 15 - Dec 26 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | North Fork |
Servers Needed See top of page for Covid Protocol requirements |
| Apply | Dec 26 - Dec 29 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course. Servers Needed See top of page for Covid Protocol requirements |
| Apply | December 29, 2021 - January 09, 2022 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | North Fork |
Servers Needed See top of page for Covid Protocol requirements |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jan 09 - Jan 12 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
| Apply | Jan 12 - Jan 23 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
| Apply | Jan 23 - Jan 26 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
| Apply | Jan 26 - Feb 26 | 30-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
| Feb 26 - Mar 02 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 26 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Mar 02 - Mar 13 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 02 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Mar 13 - Mar 16 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 13 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Mar 16 - Mar 27 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 16 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Mar 27 - Mar 29 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 27 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Mar 29 - Apr 02 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 29 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Apr 02 - Apr 03 | Annual Board of Trustees Retreat | Applications accepted starting Feb 02 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Apr 03 - Apr 06 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 03 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Apr 06 - May 07 | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 06 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Apr 06 - May 22 | 45-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 06 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| May 22 - Jun 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 22 | North Fork |
For old students Service period is held in conjunction with the Assistant Teacher workshop: May 25 - May 30. Part-time service is welcome. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Jun 01 - Jun 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 01 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Jun 12 - Jun 15 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 12 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Jun 15 - Jun 26 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 15 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Jun 26 - Jul 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 26 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Jul 01 - Jul 10 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting May 01 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Jul 10 - Jul 13 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 10 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Jul 13 - Jul 24 |
10-Day
English / Burmese |
Applications accepted starting May 13 | North Fork |
This course is offered in English and Burmese. Priority is given to Burmese students. All other students will be waitlisted. Servers needed |
|
| Jul 24 - Jul 27 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 24 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Jul 27 - Aug 07 |
10-Day
Khmer |
Applications accepted starting May 27 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page Priority is given to students whose native language is Khmer. All other applications will be waitlisted. |
|
| Aug 07 - Aug 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 07 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Aug 10 - Aug 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 10 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Aug 21 - Aug 24 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 21 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Aug 24 - Sep 04 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 24 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Sep 04 - Sep 11 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 04 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Sep 11 - Oct 02 | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 11 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Oct 02 - Oct 18 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 02 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Oct 18 - Oct 22 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 18 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Oct 22 - Oct 23 | Annual Board of Trustees Retreat | Applications accepted starting Aug 22 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Oct 23 - Oct 26 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 23 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Oct 26 - Nov 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 26 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Nov 06 - Nov 11 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 06 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Nov 11 - Nov 20 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Sep 11 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Nov 20 - Nov 23 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 20 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Nov 23 - Dec 04 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 23 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Dec 04 - Dec 07 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 04 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Dec 07 - Dec 18 | Special 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 07 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| Dec 18 - Dec 21 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 18 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
|
| December 21, 2022 - January 01, 2023 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 21 | North Fork |
Servers Needed See Updated Covid-19 Requirements at the top of the page |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
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.mahavana.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.
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.
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.
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.
