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
DHAMMA PAKASA COVID-19 PROTOCOL - EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2022
The Illinois Vipassana Center Coronavirus screening process requires additional documentation and, in most cases, a phone interview. Please be patient as this may delay processing.
- Up-to-date Covid vaccinations and boosters are recommended but not required.
- Required Documentation:
- Proof of a negative PCR test taken exactly 7-8 days before arrival and sent to [email protected]
- Proof of a negative rapid antigen test taken in the morning before coming to the Center. Bring this with you to the Center.
- Pre-course Covid precautions
- A period of Covid precautions is also required, beginning two weeks prior to arrival.
- Travel requirements:
- Travel to the Center must be in a personal vehicle, with no travel through airports, crowded indoor train or bus terminals in the two-week period before arrival.
- There are no distance restrictions for travel to the Center.
*** We strongly recommend that you schedule your Covid PCR and or Rapid Antigen tests well in advance as they are not as available as they once were. Free Covid testing sites can be located online by entering the search words “free Covid testing near me” into your browser. You can also contact your county and/or city public health department for information on free testing.
All participants must bring proof of their negative Covid Antigen rapid test results with them to the Center.
Please read this document BEFORE applying as it contains additional information and instructions you will need in order to attend a course. Dhamma Pakasa COVID Information and Instructions
*** Covid requirements for between-course Work Service Periods may differ and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the reviewing AT.
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 | Oct 14 - Oct 16 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students Should meet Covid-19 safety requirements. Please see top of page. |
| Apply | Nov 04 - Nov 06 | 2-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students Should meet Covid-19 safety requirements. Please see top of page. |
| Apply | Nov 11 - Nov 13 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students Should meet Covid-19 safety requirements. Please see top of page. |
| Apply | Nov 16 - Nov 27 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Pecatonica |
For old and new students Should meet Covid-19 safety requirements. Please see top of page. |
| Nov 30 - Dec 11 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 09 | Pecatonica |
For old and new students Should meet Covid-19 safety requirements. Please see top of page. |
All old students must register online to attend one day courses in Ravenswood - Chicago.
Information about additional one-day courses is (or may be) listed on the following Dhamma Pakasa website: http://www.pakasa.dhamma.org/os/osportal/roscoe-il-one-day-sittings/
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://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.
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.
