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 Pubbananda (Joy of the East), is the first urban center in North America. Situated on 13 acres in a quiet residential neighborhood, it is owned and operated by the Mid-Atlantic Vipassana Association. Since its purchase in 2013, it has undergone extensive renovations and we are able to provide 30 of our 60 students with private rooms and en suite bathrooms in addition to a small pagoda with 30 cells. The master plan includes completion of another 30 private rooms and cells as well as a larger Dhamma Hall and Teacher’s residence.
- 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.
Dhamma Pubbananda
2901 Green Street, Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-556-3882 (202-55-METTA)
Please check your SPAM folder regularly after applying so that you do not miss any important communications regarding your registration.
Courses will open at 8:00 AM EST on the day specified.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates:
- **Check this link for the latest updates (updated on April 8, 2023) on how the center is responding. Please note that both vaccinated and unvaccinated applicants are welcome.**
- During this time of reduced capacity, we are allowing students to apply to more than one course at this center.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jun 17 | Children | Open | Claymont | |
| Apply | Jun 18 | Children | Open | North Potomac, MD | |
| Sep 16 | Teen | Applications accepted starting Jul 17 | Claymont | ||
| Sep 17 | Children | Applications accepted starting Jul 17 | Ashburn, VA |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jun 04 - Jun 07 | Service Period | In Progress | Claymont |
For old students
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| Apply | Jun 07 - Jun 16 | Satipatthana Sutta | In Progress | Claymont |
For old students **Course Needs Female Server. Several Male and Female student spots still available.**
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| Apply | Jun 18 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Claymont |
For old students |
| Apply | Jun 18 - Jun 21 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Claymont |
For old students
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| Apply | Jun 21 - Jul 02 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Claymont |
For new and old students. *** Course URGENTLY needs BOTH female and male servers *** Due to our Coronavirus screening process all applicants will be initially waitlisted. |
| Apply | Jul 02 - Jul 05 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Claymont |
For old students
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| Apply | Jul 05 - Jul 16 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Wait List | Claymont |
For new and old students.
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| Apply | Jul 16 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Claymont |
For old students
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| Apply | Jul 16 - Jul 19 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Claymont |
For old students
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| Apply | Jul 19 - Jul 23 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Claymont |
For old students
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| Apply | Jul 23 - Jul 26 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Claymont |
For old students
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| Apply | Jul 26 - Aug 06 |
10-Day
English / Nepali |
Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Claymont |
For new and old students.
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| Apply | Aug 06 - Aug 09 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Claymont |
For old students
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| Aug 09 - Aug 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 10 | Claymont |
For new and old students.
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| Aug 20 | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 21 | Claymont |
For old students |
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| Aug 20 - Aug 23 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 21 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Aug 23 - Sep 03 |
10-Day
English / Khmer |
Applications accepted starting Jun 24 | Claymont |
For new and old students.
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| Sep 03 - Sep 06 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 05 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Sep 06 - Sep 15 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Jul 08 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Sep 17 | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 19 | Claymont |
For old students |
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| Sep 17 - Sep 20 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 19 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Sep 20 - Oct 01 |
10-Day
English / Vietnamese |
Applications accepted starting Jul 22 | Claymont |
For new and old students.
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| Oct 01 - Oct 04 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 02 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Oct 04 - Oct 08 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 05 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Oct 08 - Oct 25 | Dhamma Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 09 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Oct 21 | Trust Workshop | Applications accepted starting Aug 22 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Oct 22 | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 23 | Claymont |
For old students |
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| Oct 25 - Nov 05 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 26 | Claymont |
For new and old students.
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| Nov 05 - Nov 08 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 06 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Nov 08 - Nov 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 09 | Claymont |
For new and old students.
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| Nov 19 | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 20 | Claymont |
For old students |
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| Nov 19 - Nov 24 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 20 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Nov 24 - Dec 15 | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 19 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Dec 15 - Dec 20 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 16 | Claymont |
For old students
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| Dec 17 | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 18 | Claymont |
For old students |
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| Dec 20 - Dec 31 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 21 | Claymont |
For new and old students.
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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://pubbananda.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.
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.
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 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.
