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 Sirī, also known as the Southwest Vipassana Meditation Center, means 'Prosperity of Dhamma' in Pali. Established in 1990, the center sits on 20 acres of land near the end of a quiet rural road, 45 minutes from downtown Dallas, Texas. The Center is also less than four hours from Austin, Houston, and Oklahoma City. Dhamma Sirī holds approximately 25 courses annually serving over 2500 students. Instructions and discourses can be provided in over 40 languages.
How to Apply to Attend or Serve a Course
- Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course.
- 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 you must confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course. You will receive an email requesting you to confirm when it is time.
| Southwest Vipassana Meditation Center General Information [email protected] | General Course Registration Voice Mail and Fax: [1] (972) 346-8020 [email protected] | Dhamma Service Registration Voice Mail and Fax: [1] (972) 346-8020 [email protected] |
| Children / Teenager's Course Registration Voice Mail and Fax: [1] (972) 692-3244 [email protected] | Executive Course Registration Voice Mail and Fax: [1] (815) 301-9321 [email protected] | Long Course Registration Fax: [1] (815) 301-9196 [email protected] |
BEFORE YOU APPLY
We are happy to be holding courses albeit for a reduced number of participants. Although the Center is taking all precautions, there still remains the risk of exposure to COVID-19 while at the Center. If you are at risk of serious illness from Coronavirus, it is advised that you not place yourself at risk by coming to the Center.
VIRUS SAFETY & TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Last updated: Sep 8, 2023
Based upon recent experiences of people testing positive with COVID during courses, the center continues testing and masking protocols for the benefit of students, servers and teachers.
Everyone coming to the Center for a course will need to fulfill the following. Read both the summary and details sections below carefully.
Summary
- Maintain a high level of safety precautions before course starts
- Negative COVID-19 Antigen/Rapid test results - taken on day of arrival at the Center
- A second Antigen/Rapid test on day 3 after the course starts
- Masks are required in certain areas of the Center during the course. Any changes to masking protocols will be shared upon arrival
If you are unable to show negative test results, you will not be admitted to the course.
Details of each requisite
1. Maintain a high level of safety precautions before course starts, the intent being to minimize your risk of catching the virus
2. FDA approved COVID-19 Antigen / Rapid self-test taken on day of arrival at the Center. Also acceptable if self-test done in the 24-hour window before arrival.
- Negative test results are required before entering Center facilities
- Take a picture of the self-test negative results and be prepared to present it when you check in
3. Bring one unused COVID-19 Rapid/Antigen tests (FDA approved) with you for self-administering
- For use on day 3 after course starts to determine if masking protocols can be relaxed for the rest of the course (but only if everyone tests negative)
4. Properly fitted masks covering both nose and mouth are to be worn indoors at all times while in the entryways and hallways of all buildings. You may only remove your mask after taking your seat in the meditation hall, in your private residence or pagoda room, while actively eating, and when walking alone outside. Mask guidelines may be relaxed for the course based on Day 3 testing results if ALL participants test negative.
Even if you email your test results in advance, please bring your negative test results with you (electronic copy is fine); you may be asked again upon arrival at the center.
For day trips - Volunteers coming to the center for just the day, even if not staying overnight, still need to follow safety requisites 1, 2 and 4 mentioned above.
We regret the inconveniences this may cause and ask for understanding from those negatively impacted as it is in the interest of everyone's safety. We look forward to a time when these won't be needed any longer.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 03 - Aug 04 | Teen | Applications accepted starting May 05 | Kaufman |
For Boys only (age group from 13 to 17)
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| Aug 10 - Aug 11 | Teen | Applications accepted starting May 12 | Kaufman |
Girls only (age group 13 to 17) |
You can be considered for multiple waitlist courses with the understanding that acceptance to any one of them constitutes a cancellation of all others.
Click the 'Apply' link to complete an application. Link available starting on the "Applications accepted starting" date* for a course, as specified on schedule page. Due to reduced capacity, courses fill up within hours of opening.
* During US Daylight Savings time in winter and spring, courses link will open for application at 6:00 am. When DST ends during spring and summer, courses will open at 7:00 am.
Students are expected at the center between 1 and 5 pm for the registration period and the orientation. The course ends the morning of the last day by 7:00 am.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 18 - Dec 03 | 45-Day | In Progress | Kaufman |
For old students |
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| Dec 03 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students
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| Apply | Dec 03 - Dec 06 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Dec 06 - Dec 17 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Closed | Kaufman | |
| Apply | Dec 17 - Dec 20 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Dec 20 - Dec 31 | 10-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Kaufman |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jan 01 - Jan 03 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Jan 03 - Jan 14 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Kaufman | |
| Jan 14 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
|
| Apply | Jan 14 - Jan 17 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Jan 17 - Jan 28 | 10-Day | Women - Closed New Men - Wait List Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kaufman | |
| Apply | Jan 28 - Feb 01 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Feb 01 - Feb 04 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students |
| Apply | Feb 04 - Feb 07 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Feb 07 - Feb 18 | 10-Day | New Women - Wait List Old Women - Short Wait List New Men - Short Wait List Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kaufman | |
| Feb 18 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
|
| Apply | Feb 18 - Feb 21 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Feb 21 - Mar 03 | 10-Day | New Women - Wait List Old Women - Open Men - Open Servers - Open | Kaufman | |
| Apply | Mar 03 - Mar 19 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students Service Period is a period of time set aside to perform maintenance tasks throughout the center and get everything ready for the upcoming course. Most of the work will be indoor but please let us know if you want to work outdoor. |
| Apply | Mar 09 - Mar 10 | Old Student Program | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students |
| Mar 10 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
|
| Apply | Mar 15 - Mar 17 |
Vipassana Community Foundation Annual Retreat |
Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students Board Members: Please select Apply to Sit on your application |
| Apply | Mar 20 - Mar 31 | 10-Day | Open | Kaufman | |
| Mar 31 - Apr 03 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 05 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| Apr 03 - Apr 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 05 | Kaufman | ||
| Apr 14 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
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| Apr 14 - Apr 17 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 19 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| Apr 17 - Apr 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 19 | Kaufman | ||
| Apr 28 - May 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 02 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| May 01 - May 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 02 | Kaufman | ||
| May 12 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
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| May 12 - May 24 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 13 | Kaufman |
For old students Service Period is a period of time set aside to perform maintenance tasks throughout the center and get everything ready for the upcoming course. Most of the work will be indoor but please let us know if you want to work outdoor. |
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| May 18 | Open House | Applications accepted starting Jan 19 | Kaufman | ||
| May 24 - May 26 | 2-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 25 | Kaufman |
For old students |
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| May 27 - May 31 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 01 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| May 31 - Jun 09 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Feb 01 | Kaufman |
For old students |
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| Jun 09 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
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| Jun 09 - Jun 13 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 14 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| Jun 13 - Jul 14 | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 14 | Kaufman |
For old students |
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| Jul 14 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
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| Jul 14 - Jul 17 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 19 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| Jul 17 - Jul 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 19 | Kaufman | ||
| Jul 28 - Aug 02 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 30 | Kaufman |
For old students Service Period is a period of time set aside to perform maintenance tasks throughout the center and get everything ready for the upcoming course. Most of the work will be indoor but please let us know if you want to work outdoor. |
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| Aug 11 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
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| Aug 14 - Aug 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 16 | Kaufman | ||
| Aug 25 - Aug 29 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 27 | Kaufman |
For old students Service Period is a period of time set aside to perform maintenance tasks throughout the center and get everything ready for the upcoming course. Most of the work will be indoor but please let us know if you want to work outdoor. |
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| Aug 30 - Sep 02 |
Texas AT Workshop |
Applications accepted starting May 02 | Kaufman |
For old students Board Members: Please select Apply to Sit on your application |
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| Sep 03 - Sep 13 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 17 | Kaufman |
For old students Service Period is a period of time set aside to perform maintenance tasks throughout the center and get everything ready for the upcoming course. Most of the work will be indoor but please let us know if you want to work outdoor. |
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| Sep 14 - Sep 15 | Old Student Program | Applications accepted starting May 17 | Kaufman |
For old students |
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| Sep 15 |
Trust Meeting |
Applications accepted starting May 18 | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
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| Sep 18 - Sep 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 21 | Kaufman | ||
| Sep 29 - Oct 02 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 04 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| Oct 02 - Oct 13 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 04 | Kaufman | ||
| Oct 13 - Oct 16 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 18 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| Oct 16 - Nov 16 | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 18 | Kaufman |
For old students |
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| Oct 16 - Dec 01 | 45-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 18 | Kaufman |
For old students |
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| Nov 03 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students NOTE: Meeting in DFW area (not at center). To attend in person please contact registration by email at [email protected] for location of meeting in DFW area. Ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements (see top of the course schedule page). |
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| Dec 01 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
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| Dec 01 - Dec 04 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 06 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| Dec 04 - Dec 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 06 | Kaufman | ||
| Dec 15 - Dec 18 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 20 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
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| Dec 18 - Dec 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 20 | Kaufman | ||
| December 29, 2024 - January 01, 2025 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 03 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 01 - Jan 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 03 | Kaufman | ||
| Jan 12 |
Trust Meeting |
Open | Kaufman |
For old students To attend in person, ensure you follow the Testing, Masking and other virus safety requirements for day trips to the meditation center as specified (see top of the course schedule page) |
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://siri.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.
Open Houses are held between meditation courses. All are welcome to attend and learn about Vipassana Meditation and the Center.
Teenagers' Anapana Courses are available for teens in different age ranges from 13-18 years old. Their parents/guardians do not have to be Vipassana meditators.
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 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.
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.
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.
