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) 877-4386 ext. 1 Fax: [1] (559) 877-4387 [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) 877-4386 [email protected] |
IMPORTANT! A 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.
WARNING! Applications submitted via cell phone may not go through. Follow-up call or email is recommended.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
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Mar 07 - Mar 08 | Teen Course | Applications accepted starting Jan 11 | North Fork | For Boys & Girls Ages 13-17 yrs |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
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Dec 11 - Dec 15 | 3-Day | In Progress | North Fork |
For old students Servers needed. |
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Apply | Dec 15 - Dec 18 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part time welcome. |
Apply | Dec 18 - Dec 29 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Closed Male Server - Wait List | North Fork |
Servers needed. There is an alternative course being held at a rental site near Occidental/Santa Rosa beginning on Dec. 22. The course is in wait list status for both male and female students. To apply click on this link. |
Apply | December 29, 2019 - January 01, 2020 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
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Apply | Jan 01 - Jan 05 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Servers needed. |
Apply | Jan 05 - Jan 08 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
Apply | Jan 08 - Jan 19 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Short Wait List Male Server - Open | North Fork | Servers needed |
Apply | Jan 19 - Jan 22 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
Apply | Jan 22 - Feb 02 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | North Fork | Servers needed |
Apply | Feb 02 - Feb 05 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
Apply | Feb 05 - Feb 16 |
10-Day
English / Mandarin |
Women - Wait List Men - Open Female Server - Short Wait List Male Server - Open | North Fork |
Servers needed. This course is offered in both English and Mandarin. It is now in wait list status for ALL female students. |
Apply | Feb 16 - Feb 19 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
Apply | Feb 19 - Mar 01 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork | Servers needed. |
Apply | Mar 01 - Mar 06 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
Apply | Mar 08 - Mar 11 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
Apply | Mar 11 - Mar 22 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
Servers needed. |
Apply | Mar 22 - Mar 24 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Part-time service welcome. |
Apply | Mar 24 - Mar 28 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Servers needed. ***Course begins on TUESDAY & ends on SATURDAY |
Mar 28 - Mar 29 | Board of Trustee Workshop | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students All old students are invited to attend the Trustee Workshop to learn about the behind-the-scenes functioning of CVC. Send a message to [email protected] if you wish to register for the Trustee Workshop. Clearly indicate if you wish to offer Dhamma service or participate in the Trustee Workshop. |
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Apply | Mar 29 - Apr 01 | Service Period | Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
Apply | Apr 01 - May 02 | 30-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students |
Apply | Apr 01 - May 17 | 45-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | North Fork |
For old students |
May 17 - May 27 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 18 | North Fork |
For old students This service period is held in conjunction with the Assistant Teacher workshop. Part time service welcome. |
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May 27 - Jun 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 28 | North Fork | ||
Jun 07 - Jun 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 08 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Jun 10 - Jun 21 |
10-Day
English / Vietnamese |
Applications accepted starting Feb 11 | North Fork | This course is offered in both English and Vietnamese. Priority is given to Vietnamese students. All English speaking students may be wait listed. | |
Jun 21 - Jun 26 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 22 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Jun 26 - Jul 05 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Feb 27 | North Fork |
For old students |
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Jul 05 - Jul 08 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 03 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Jul 08 - Jul 19 |
10-Day
English / Khmer |
Applications accepted starting Mar 10 | North Fork | This course is offered in both English and Khmer. Priority is given to Khmer students. All English speaking students may be wait listed. | |
Jul 19 - Jul 22 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 21 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Jul 22 - Aug 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 24 | North Fork | ||
Aug 02 - Aug 05 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 04 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Aug 05 - Aug 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 07 | North Fork | ||
Aug 16 - Aug 19 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 18 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Aug 19 - Aug 30 |
10-Day
English / Burmese |
Applications accepted starting Apr 21 | North Fork | This course is offered in both English and Burmese. Priority is given to Burmese students. All English speaking students may be wait listed. | |
Aug 30 - Sep 06 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 02 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Sep 06 - Sep 27 | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting May 09 | North Fork |
For old students |
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Sep 27 - Sep 30 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 30 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Sep 30 - Oct 11 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 02 | North Fork | ||
Oct 11 - Oct 16 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 06 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Oct 18 - Oct 20 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 20 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Oct 20 - Oct 24 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 22 | North Fork |
For old students ***Course begins on TUESDAY & ends on SATURDAY |
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Oct 24 - Oct 25 | Board of Trustee Workshop | Applications accepted starting Jun 26 | North Fork |
For old students All old students are invited to attend the Trustee Workshop to learn about the behind-the-scenes functioning of CVC. Send a message to [email protected] if you wish to register for the Trustee Workshop. Clearly indicate if you wish to offer Dhamma service or participate in the Trustee Workshop. |
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Oct 25 - Oct 30 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 27 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Oct 30 - Nov 08 |
Satipatthana Sutta
English / Persian (Farsi) |
Applications accepted starting Jul 02 | North Fork |
For old students This course is offered in both English and Farsi. |
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Nov 08 - Nov 11 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 11 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Nov 11 - Nov 22 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 14 | North Fork | ||
Nov 22 - Nov 25 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 25 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Nov 25 - Dec 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 28 | North Fork | ||
Dec 06 - Dec 09 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 08 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Dec 09 - Dec 20 | Special 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 11 | North Fork |
For old students |
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Dec 20 - Dec 23 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 22 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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December 23, 2020 - January 03, 2021 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 15 | North Fork |
Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
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Jan 03 - Jan 06 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 05 | North Fork |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
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Jan 06 - Jan 17 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 08 | North Fork |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mar 07 - Mar 08 | Teen Course | Applications accepted starting Jan 11 | North Fork | For Boys & Girls Ages 13-17 yrs |
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.