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
Surrounded by trees, grass and spring fed ponds, the center provides a supportive atmosphere where one can learn the practice of Vipassana meditation. This technique, discovered by Buddha twenty-five centuries ago, uses the breath and one's own body as the basis for developing concentration and insight. The courses provide a unique opportunity to direct one's attention inward, and set about a process of inner discovery through direct experience.
- 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.
Address: Illinois Vipassana Meditation Center -- Dhamma Pakasa
10076 Fish Hatchery Road Pecatonica, IL 61063
General email: [email protected]
Children's courses email: [email protected]
Phone: [1] (815) 489-0420
Fax: [1] (360) 283-7068
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jul 11 - Jul 22 | 10-Day | In Progress | Pecatonica | |
| Apply | Jul 22 - Jul 25 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Apply | Jul 25 - Aug 05 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Long Wait List Servers - Open | Pecatonica | |
| Apply | Aug 05 - Aug 08 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Apply | Aug 08 - Aug 19 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Pecatonica | |
| Apply | Aug 19 - Aug 22 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Apply | Aug 22 - Aug 26 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Apply | Aug 26 - Aug 29 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Apply | Aug 29 - Sep 09 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Pecatonica | |
| Apply | Sep 02 | One Day Course for Old Students | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Downtown Chicago |
For old students |
| Apply | Sep 11 - Sep 14 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Apply | Sep 14 - Sep 23 | Satipatthana Sutta | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Apply | Sep 23 - Oct 01 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Apply | Oct 02 - Oct 04 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Oct 04 - Oct 08 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 27 | Pecatonica |
For old students |
|
| Apply | Oct 08 - Oct 10 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Oct 10 - Oct 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 01 | Pecatonica | ||
| Apply | Oct 21 - Oct 24 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Oct 24 - Nov 04 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 15 | Pecatonica | ||
| Nov 04 | One Day Course for Old Students | Applications accepted starting Sep 03 | Downtown Chicago |
For old students |
|
| Apply | Nov 04 - Nov 07 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Nov 07 - Nov 18 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 01 | Pecatonica | ||
| Apply | Nov 18 - Nov 21 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Nov 21 - Dec 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 18 | Pecatonica | ||
| Apply | Dec 02 - Dec 05 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Dec 05 - Dec 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 01 | Pecatonica | ||
| Apply | Dec 16 - Dec 19 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
| Dec 19 - Dec 30 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 10 | Pecatonica |
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://www.pakasa.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.
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.