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]siri.dhamma.org |
| 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.
QUARANTINE & TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Last updated: Apr 11, 2022
Everyone coming to the Center for a course will need to fulfill the following. Read both the summary and details sections below carefully.
Summary
- Covid-19 PCR test taken within 5 days before arrival at the Center, AND
- Maintain a high level of safety precautions from the time of the PCR test, AND
- Covid-19 Antigen/Rapid result test taken on day of arrival at the Center, AND
- Travel to the Center by private vehicle only.
- Use of public transportation to travel to Dallas area acceptable with restrictions given below.
Details of each requisite
1. COVID-19 PCR test is required
- Test must be within 5 days of arrival at the Center.
- For example, if arriving at the center on Wednesday, take the test on or after Saturday
- Negative test results are required before entering center facilities
- Hard copy or electronic results are both ok to bring.
- Avoid coming to the center if your results do not come back in time. Instead, contact [email protected] for assistance.
2. Maintain a high level of safety precautions from the time of the PCR test
- Intent being to minimize your risk of catching the virus E.g. Wear masks when around others, social distance, avoid crowds etc.
3. NEW COVID-19 Antigen / Rapid self-test taken on day of arrival at the Center
- Acceptable to self-test anytime in the 24 hour window before arrival at the Center. But strong recommendation is to do it on the same day of 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.
- Bring one unused COVID-19 Rapid/Antigen test with you for self-administering as a precaution. For use only if if you develop Covid symptoms during the course.
4. Travel to the center
- Must arrive in a private car - no shuttles or buses, or other shared transportation.
- Rideshare with another participant/ Using Uber/Lyft is acceptable - maintain full masking at all times.
5. Travel to Dallas using public transit
- Anyone coming by public transit, air, train, bus, etc. must arrive in the Dallas area at a minimum of 5 full days prior to arrival at the center.
- Wait 48 hours after reaching the Dallas area before taking PCR test. For example, if arriving at the center on Wednesday and you reach Dallas on Saturday morning, take the test on or after Monday morning
- Maintain full masking at all times while traveling. Follow any additional CDC guidelines for domestic or international travel.
Even if you email your test results in advance, please bring your negative test results for BOTH PCR and Antigen/Rapid test with you (electronic copy is fine); you may be asked again upon arrival at the center.
If you are asked to show your negative test results and are unable to do so, you will not be admitted to the center.
We regret the inconveniences this may cause, and ask for understanding from those negatively impacted. These are temporary measures and 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jun 25 | Children / Teens | Girls - Open Boys - Closed Female Server - Open Male Server - Closed | Dallas | Girls (only) - Age Group : 11yrs - 17yrs |
| Apply | Aug 06 | Children / Teens | Girls - Closed Boys - Open Female Server - Closed Male Server - Open | Dallas | Boys (only) - Age Group : 11yrs - 17yrs |
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 06:00 am CT on the Applications accepted start date for a course, as specified on schedule page. Due to reduced capacity, courses fill up within hours of opening.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11 - May 22 | 10-Day | In Progress | Kaufman | CANCELLED | |
| Apply | May 25 - Jun 05 | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Short Wait List Female Server - Open Male Server - Wait List | Kaufman | No waitlist for servers. | |
| Apply | Jun 05 - Jun 14 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Jun 15 - Jun 26 | 10-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Kaufman | Old Males: Running short of male servers |
| Apply | Jun 26 - Jun 29 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Jun 30 - Jul 31 | 30-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kaufman |
For old students |
| Aug 03 - Aug 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 20 | Kaufman | ||
| Aug 17 - Aug 28 |
10-Day
Hindi / English |
Applications accepted starting Jun 03 | Kaufman | ||
| Aug 28 - Sep 13 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 14 | Kaufman |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Sep 14 - Sep 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 01 | Kaufman | ||
| Oct 19 - Nov 19 | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 05 | Kaufman |
For old students |
|
| Oct 19 - Dec 04 | 45-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 05 | Kaufman |
For old students |
|
| Dec 07 - Dec 18 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 23 | Kaufman | ||
| December 21, 2022 - January 01, 2023 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 07 | Kaufman |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04 - Jan 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 21 | Kaufman |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
