in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Centre Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
Dhamma Aloka (Light of Dhamma) was purchased in 1995 after years of searching for a site. The property is at Woori Yallock (“running stream” in the local Aboriginal language), one hour’s drive east of Melbourne and only ten kilometres from the renowned Healesville wildlife sanctuary.
The centre is on a hill which adjoins a reserve on the banks of the Yarra river, with an outlook across lush river flats towards mountain ranges. The eighteen acre site has a Dhamma Hall with 22 meditation cells, kitchen and dining room complex, accommodation with single rooms and dormitories, a toilet-shower block. It is mostly cleared with a fringe of ti-tree and eucalypt forest. The impression is one of seclusion and tranquillity.
- 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.
Vipassana Centre Victoria
Dhamma Aloka
PO Box 11, Woori Yallock VIC 3139
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +61 (03) 5961 5722
COVIDsafe guidelines apply at Dhamma Aloka until further notice. You will be required to follow all Covid regulations for the duration of the course.
Courses maybe cancelled at short notice if the Covid-19 guidelines call for it.
Please apply for ONE 10 DAY COURSE ONLY, as only **ONE** application per person will be processed.
Courses are restricted to Victorian residents only, for the COVIDsafe period.
Applications for all courses will open around 8:00pm in Winter or 9:00pm in Summer (daylight saving time) on the scheduled opening date.
Note: the 'apply' link will not be visible until then. The actual opening time may be some time later, due to the automated nature of the system. You will need to refresh this page to see any link changes, as this page does not auto-refresh.
Fairer course applications
Because so many people apply for courses, both in Australia and around the world, the courses often close within a few minutes of opening. This tends to give an advantage to technically knowledgeable people, or those with faster internet connections.
To counter this, courses are will now open at 8PM(9PM DST; summer time) on the opening day and remain open to 9AM(10AM DST) the next day, so everyone has time to apply without feeling rushed. We receive more applications than we have places, and applicants are selected by a computerised random process.
Up to now, this has meant that some applicants have been unsuccessful many times, but now the randomiser is programmed to give priority to those who have missed out on a previous application.
The Vipassana Centre Dhamma Ujjala in S.A. .is now open to the old and new students of Victoria. Check the policy message above our Course Schedule before applying. We have accommodation for longer stay dhamma workers in the tranquil Clare valley. We transport to and from Adelaide airport. Call Gerry on 0414964743 for more information.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply* | 03 Oct | 1-Day | Women - Short Wait List Men - Open Servers - Closed | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. Limited places. |
| Apply* | 17 Oct | 1-Day | Open | Brunswick East |
For old students |
| Apply* | 07 Nov | 1-Day | Women - Open Men - Open Servers - Closed | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. Limited places. |
| 21 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 07 Oct | Brunswick East |
For old students |
|
| Apply* | 02 Dec - 05 Dec | 3-Day | Women - Short Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | Woori Yallock |
For old students Victoria residents only. Limited places. |
| 05 Dec | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Oct | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. Limited places. |
|
| 19 Dec | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Nov | Brunswick East |
For old students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Feb | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 23 Dec | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 20 Feb | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 06 Jan | Brunswick East |
For old students |
|
| 06 Mar | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 20 Jan | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 20 Mar | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 03 Feb | Brunswick East |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 03 Apr | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 17 Feb | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 08 Apr - 11 Apr | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 08 Jan | Woori Yallock |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 17 Apr | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 03 Mar | Brunswick East |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 01 May | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 17 Mar | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 15 May | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 31 Mar | Brunswick East |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 05 Jun | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Apr | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 19 Jun | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 05 May | Brunswick East |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 24 Jun - 27 Jun | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Mar | Woori Yallock |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 03 Jul | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 19 May | Elwood |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Sep - 03 Oct | 10-Day | CANCELLED | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
|
| Apply* | 06 Oct - 17 Oct | 10-Day | Women - Short Wait List New Men - Long Wait List Old Men - Short Wait List Servers - Open | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
| Apply* | 20 Oct - 31 Oct | 10-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Long Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Short Wait List Female Server - Filling Up Male Server - Open | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
| Apply* | 31 Oct - 04 Nov | Work Period | Servers - Open | Woori Yallock |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
| Apply* | 05 Nov - 14 Nov | Satipatthana Sutta | Women - Short Wait List Men - Short Wait List Female Server - Filling Up Male Server - Open | Woori Yallock |
For old students Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
| Apply* | 17 Nov - 28 Nov | 10-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Short Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Short Wait List Servers - Open | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. This course will use the new random select method, as described at the top of this page, "Fairer course applications". |
| 08 Dec - 19 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 08 Oct | Woori Yallock |
Due to the uncertainty of the end of the lockdown, we have moved the opening date back by a month. Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
|
| 19 Dec - 26 Dec | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 20 Oct | Woori Yallock |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 26 December, 2021 - 06 January, 2022 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Oct | Woori Yallock |
Due to the uncertainty of the end of the lockdown, we have moved the opening date back by a month. Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Jan - 18 Jan | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 09 Nov | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
|
| 19 Jan - 30 Jan | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Nov | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
|
| 02 Feb - 13 Feb | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Dec | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. Old student accommodation will mostly be tent. |
|
| 13 Feb - 23 Feb | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 15 Dec | Woori Yallock |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 23 Feb - 06 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 25 Nov | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. |
|
| 09 Mar - 20 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 09 Dec | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. |
|
| 23 Mar - 03 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 23 Dec | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. |
|
| 13 Apr - 24 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 13 Jan | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. |
|
| 27 Apr - 08 May | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 27 Jan | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. |
|
| 11 May - 22 May | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 10 Feb | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. |
|
| 23 May - 13 Jun | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting 24 Nov | Woori Yallock |
New Course!!For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 13 Jun - 24 Jun | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 14 Apr | Woori Yallock |
For old students Victoria residents only. |
|
| 29 Jun - 10 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 31 Mar | Woori Yallock |
Victoria residents only. |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
As a privacy measure, the online application form encrypts the information you provide us with before it is sent from your computer to our application server.
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click https://www.au.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.
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.
Work 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.
