Wheel of Dhamma

Bodhi Leaf

 
Mahavana
Dhamma Mahāvana, North Fork, California, United States
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.
How to Apply to Attend or Serve a Course
  1. Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course. Old students will be given the option to serve.
  2. Please carefully read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline which you will be asked to follow during your course.
  3. Fully and completely fill out all the sections of application form and submit it. An application is required to register for all courses.
  4. 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.
  5. If your application is accepted then we require you to confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course.
Additional information
       
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]

 

Please note that due to the rapidly changing nature of the Coronavirus outbreak, we may still have to cancel some upcoming courses. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and will rely on the guidance of the CDC and local health agencies. We will keep our website updated and notify anyone registered to meditate or serve on an upcoming course of any significant changes or cancellations.

 

A first-time student 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.

Applications submitted via cell phone may not go through. A follow-up call or email is recommended.

 
 
Teenagers' and Children's Courses
Courses for young people.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
No courses are currently scheduled.
 
Ten Day & Other Adult Courses

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 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time

2021 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Jan 06 - Jan 17 10-Day CANCELLED North Fork Course CANCELLED due to current California COVID restrictions.
Jan 20 - Jan 24 3-Day CANCELLED North Fork For old students
Course CANCELLED due to current California COVID restrictions.
Apply Jan 27 - Feb 27 30-Day

Please note: The Jan. 27th & Apr. 7th long courses are now open for registration. 		New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open North Fork For old students
Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Apply Mar 03 - Mar 14 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Mar 17 - Mar 28 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jan 17 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Mar 30 - Apr 03 3-Day Applications accepted starting Jan 30 North Fork For old students

COURSE BEGINS ON TUESDAY.

Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Apply Apr 07 - May 08 30-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Open North Fork For old students
Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
May 12 - May 23 10-Day Applications accepted starting Mar 12 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Jun 02 - Jun 13 10-Day Applications accepted starting Apr 02 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Jun 18 - Jun 27 Satipatthana Sutta Applications accepted starting Apr 18 North Fork For old students
Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Jun 30 - Jul 11 10-Day Applications accepted starting Apr 30 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Jul 14 - Jul 25 10-Day Applications accepted starting May 14 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Jul 28 - Aug 08 10-Day Applications accepted starting May 28 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Aug 11 - Aug 22 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jun 11 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Aug 29 - Sep 19 20-Day Applications accepted starting May 29 North Fork For old students
Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Sep 22 - Oct 03 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jul 22 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Oct 05 - Oct 09 3-Day Applications accepted starting Aug 05 North Fork For old students
COURSE BEGINS ON TUESDAY.

Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions
Oct 13 - Oct 24 10-Day Applications accepted starting Aug 13 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Nov 05 - Nov 14 Satipatthana Sutta Applications accepted starting Sep 05 North Fork For old students
Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions
Nov 17 - Nov 28 10-Day Applications accepted starting Sep 17 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
Dec 01 - Dec 12 Special 10-Day Applications accepted starting Sep 01 North Fork For old students
Dec 15 - Dec 26 10-Day Applications accepted starting Oct 15 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
December 29, 2021 - January 09, 2022 10-Day Applications accepted starting Oct 29 North Fork Servers needed.

1. Course size is limited.
2. No rideshare or public transportation to the Center is permitted.
3. Students must arrive at CVC in a private personal vehicle and travel from home within a one-day drive.
4. The emergency contact person must be within driving distance of CVC.
5. The course will be run in compliance with the current Covid-19 guidelines as per the California Department of Health and dependent on prevailing Covid-19 conditions.
 
Non-Center Courses
Courses and Activities conducted at other locations.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
No courses are currently scheduled.
 
 

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.

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.

Old Student Short Courses (1-3 days) are for any student who has completed the 10-day course with S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers. All old students are welcome to apply to attend these courses, including those where it has been some time since their last course.