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
Dhamma Maṇḍa, also known as the Northern California Vipassana Center, means "the essence of Dhamma" in Pali. It is one of numerous centers worldwide dedicated to the teaching of Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Dhamma Maṇḍa is located in the Cobb mountain area of Lake County, California, nestled among seventeen acres of mature pine, fir, and oak trees and is approximately a two and a half hour drive from San Francisco.
- 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.
Northern California Vipassana Association - Dhamma Manda Tel: [1] (707) 928-9981 Email: [email protected] | Children's / Teenagers' Course Registration Voice Mail: [1] (408) 471-7642 Fax: [1] (800) 734-1558 Email: [email protected] |
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.
Applications submitted via cell phone may not go through. A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jul 26 - Jul 27 |
Children's course |
Open | Kelseyville |
For Boys and Girls ages 8-12 |
All courses open for applications at 7:00am Pacific 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.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jun 08 - Jun 11 |
Between Course Service Period |
In Progress | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Apply | Jun 11 - Jun 22 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Short Wait List Servers - Wait List | Kelseyville | |
| Apply | Jun 22 - Jun 25 |
Between Course Service Period |
Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Apply | Jun 25 - Jul 06 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Female Server - Open Male Server - Wait List | Kelseyville |
Servers are still needed. |
| Apply | Jul 06 - Jul 09 |
Landscape, Gardening, and Between Course Service Period |
Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students Old Students are welcome to apply to join us for a special Landscape & Gardening work period to help maintain and beautify the center grounds |
| Apply | Jul 09 - Jul 20 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Short Wait List Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
Female servers are needed. |
| Jul 20 |
Quarterly Trust Meeting |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students If you are interested in attending remotely or in-person, please send an email to [email protected] |
|
| Apply | Jul 20 - Jul 23 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Apply | Jul 27 - Jul 30 |
Between Course Service Period |
Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Apply | Jul 30 - Aug 10 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
Servers are needed. |
| Apply | Aug 10 - Aug 13 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Aug 13 - Aug 24 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 13 | Kelseyville | ||
| Aug 24 - Aug 28 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jun 13 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Aug 28 - Sep 01 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 28 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 01 - Sep 03 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jun 28 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 03 - Sep 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 03 | Kelseyville | ||
| Sep 14 |
Quarterly Trust Meeting |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students If you are interested in attending remotely or in-person, please send an email to [email protected] |
|
| Apply | Sep 14 - Sep 21 |
Wildfire Prevention & Deep Cleaning Work Period |
Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students Servers are invited to attend full- or part-time for this Annual Work Period. |
| Sep 21 - Sep 24 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jul 03 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 24 - Oct 05 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 24 | Kelseyville | ||
| Oct 05 - Oct 08 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jul 24 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Oct 08 - Oct 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 08 | Kelseyville | ||
| Oct 19 - Oct 22 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Aug 08 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Oct 22 - Nov 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 22 | Kelseyville | ||
| Nov 02 - Nov 05 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Aug 22 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Nov 05 - Nov 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 05 | Kelseyville | ||
| Nov 16 |
Quarterly Trust Meeting |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students If you are interested in attending remotely or in-person, please send an email to [email protected] |
|
| Nov 16 - Nov 19 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Sep 05 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Nov 19 - Nov 30 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 19 | Kelseyville | ||
| Nov 30 - Dec 03 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Sep 19 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 03 - Dec 07 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 03 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 07 - Dec 10 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Oct 03 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 10 - Dec 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 10 | Kelseyville | ||
| Dec 21 - Dec 24 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Oct 10 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| December 22, 2025 - January 02, 2026 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 18 | Near Occidental, CA | ||
| December 24, 2025 - January 04, 2026 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 24 | Kelseyville |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04 - Jan 07 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 24 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jan 07 - Jan 18 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 07 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jan 18 - Jan 21 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Nov 07 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jan 21 - Jan 25 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 21 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jan 25 - Jan 28 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Nov 21 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jan 28 - Feb 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 28 | Kelseyville | ||
| Feb 08 - Feb 11 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Nov 28 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Feb 11 - Feb 22 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 11 | Kelseyville | ||
| Feb 22 - Feb 25 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 11 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Feb 25 - Mar 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 25 | Kelseyville | ||
| Mar 08 - Mar 13 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 25 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Mar 13 - Mar 15 |
Annual Trust Retreat Weekend |
Applications accepted starting Sep 14 | Kelseyville |
For old students ALL Old Students may submit an application either to observe the committee meetings or to assist with meal preparations in the kitchen. |
|
| Mar 16 - Mar 31 | 14 Day Gratitude Course | Applications accepted starting Dec 16 | Kelseyville |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Mar 31 - Apr 01 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 16 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Apr 01 - Apr 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 01 | Kelseyville | ||
| Apr 12 - Apr 15 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Feb 01 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Apr 15 - Apr 26 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 15 | Kelseyville | ||
| Apr 26 - Apr 29 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Feb 15 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Apr 29 - May 10 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 01 | Kelseyville | ||
| May 10 - May 13 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Mar 01 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| May 13 - May 17 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 13 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| May 17 - May 24 |
Wildfire Prevention & Deep Cleaning Work Period |
Applications accepted starting Mar 13 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| May 24 - May 27 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Mar 27 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| May 27 - Jun 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 27 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jun 07 - Jun 10 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Mar 27 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jun 24 - Jul 05 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 24 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jul 05 - Jul 08 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Apr 24 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jul 08 - Jul 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 08 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jul 19 - Jul 22 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting May 08 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jul 22 - Aug 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 22 | Kelseyville | ||
| Aug 02 - Aug 05 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting May 22 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Aug 05 - Aug 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 05 | Kelseyville | ||
| Aug 16 - Aug 19 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jun 05 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Aug 19 - Aug 30 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 19 | Kelseyville | ||
| Aug 30 - Sep 02 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jun 19 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 02 - Sep 06 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 02 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 06 - Sep 09 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jul 02 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 09 - Sep 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 09 | Kelseyville | ||
| Sep 21 - Sep 28 |
Wildfire Prevention & Deep Cleaning Work Period |
Applications accepted starting Jul 09 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 30 - Oct 11 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 30 | Kelseyville | ||
| Oct 11 - Oct 14 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jul 30 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Oct 14 - Oct 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 14 | Kelseyville | ||
| Oct 25 - Oct 28 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Aug 14 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Oct 28 - Nov 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 28 | Kelseyville | ||
| Nov 08 - Nov 11 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Aug 28 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Nov 11 - Nov 15 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 11 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Nov 15 - Nov 18 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Sep 11 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Nov 18 - Nov 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 18 | Kelseyville | ||
| Nov 29 - Dec 02 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Sep 18 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 02 - Dec 13 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 02 | Kelseyville | ||
| Dec 13 - Dec 16 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Oct 02 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 16 - Dec 27 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 16 | Kelseyville | ||
| Dec 27 - Dec 30 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Oct 16 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| December 30, 2026 - January 03, 2027 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 30 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
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://manda.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.
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 Course Qualification Requirements
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.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
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.
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 apply. 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.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
The 14-Day Gratitude Course was previously called the Teacher's Self Course. One of the qualities we develop as we meditate is gratitude - gratitude towards one’s teachers, Goenkaji and Mataji, and towards the long tradition of Vipassana teachers, right back to the Buddha.
The course is open to old students who are active in giving service. Requirements include 3 x 10day courses plus one Satipaṭṭhāna course, being active in Dhamma service, trying to maintain two-hour daily practice since last 10-Day course, and trying to maintain the five precepts to the best of one's ability. Local teacher’s recommendation is required. The course follows the usual format of 3x group sittings with instructions in the day, but students work more independently and the teaching materials are drawn from the 20-day course. This is a half-way step to help students mature for long courses, and serves to inspire students to work more deeply in Dhamma.
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.
