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 time-sensitive email communications.
Covid-19 Protocol
Updated on 8/1/22
- All students, servers, teachers, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated (2 shots) including a third dose (booster), if eligible. If the primary dose is JJ, then only a second dose is required.
- Proof of vaccination must be uploaded during the online registration process.
- IMPORTANT: Be sure to check your email, including junk/spam folders to ensure you do not miss time-sensitive communication regarding your application.
- Everyone must take a rapid antigen test 24hrs before arriving at CVC, preferably on the same day of arrival. Bring a picture of the negative test result to show when checking-in at the start of the course.
- Students and servers should bring a second rapid antigen test for self-administering during the course. More details will be given during the Orientation at the start of the course.
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
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 Canada, or is a waitlisted enrollment.
CHECK SPAM/JUNK MAIL to ensure you do not miss important time-sensitive email communications.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Oct 02 - Oct 18 | Service Period | In Progress | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Apply | Oct 18 - Oct 22 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students URGENT Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Apply | Oct 22 - Oct 23 | Annual Board of Trustees Retreat | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Vaccination required. Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Oct 23 - Oct 26 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Apply | Oct 26 - Nov 06 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open | North Fork |
URGENT, Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Apply | Nov 06 - Nov 11 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Apply | Nov 11 - Nov 20 |
Satipatthana Sutta
English / Khmer |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed This course is offered in both English and Khmer Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Apply | Nov 20 - Nov 23 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Apply | Nov 23 - Dec 04 | 10-Day | New Women - Wait List Old Women - Open Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| 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 Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Apply | Dec 07 - Dec 18 | Special 10-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| 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 Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| December 21, 2022 - January 01, 2023 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 21 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jan 01 - Jan 04 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
| Jan 04 - Jan 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 04 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
|
| Jan 15 - Jan 18 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 15 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jan 18 - Jan 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 18 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jan 29 - Feb 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 29 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Feb 01 - Mar 04 | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 01 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Mar 04 - Mar 08 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 04 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Mar 08 - Mar 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 08 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Mar 19 - Mar 22 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 19 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Mar 22 - Mar 26 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 22 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Mar 26 - Apr 05 | 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 Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Apr 01 - Apr 02 | Annual Board of Trustees Retreat | Applications accepted starting Jan 01 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Apr 05 - May 06 | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 05 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Apr 05 - May 21 | 45-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 05 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| May 21 - May 31 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 21 | North Fork |
For old students This service period is held in conjunction with the annual Assistant Teacher workshop. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| May 31 - Jun 11 |
10-Day
English / Vietnamese |
Applications accepted starting Mar 01 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Course is offered in both English & Vietnamese. Priority is given to Vietnamese-speaking students. Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jun 11 - Jun 14 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 11 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jun 14 - Jun 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 14 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jun 25 - Jun 30 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 25 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jun 30 - Jul 09 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Mar 30 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jul 09 - Jul 12 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 09 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jul 12 - Jul 23 |
10-Day
English / Burmese |
Applications accepted starting Apr 12 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jul 23 - Jul 26 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 23 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Jul 26 - Aug 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 26 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Aug 06 - Aug 09 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 06 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Aug 09 - Aug 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 09 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Aug 20 - Aug 23 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 20 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Aug 23 - Sep 03 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 23 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Sep 03 - Sep 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 03 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Sep 10 - Oct 01 |
20-Day
English / Burmese |
Applications accepted starting Jun 10 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Oct 01 - Oct 04 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 01 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Oct 04 - Oct 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 04 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Oct 15 - Oct 25 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 15 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Oct 25 - Oct 29 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 25 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Oct 29 - Nov 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 29 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Nov 01 - Nov 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 01 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Nov 12 - Nov 17 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 12 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Nov 17 - Nov 26 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Aug 17 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Nov 26 - Nov 29 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 26 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Nov 29 - Dec 10 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 29 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Dec 10 - Dec 13 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 10 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Dec 13 - Dec 24 | Special 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 13 | North Fork |
For old students Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| Dec 24 - Dec 27 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 24 | North Fork |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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| December 27, 2023 - January 07, 2024 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 27 | North Fork |
Servers Needed Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. ALL applicants are initially WAITLISTED pending confirmation of vaccination status. |
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.
