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 Karuṇā means "Compassion of Dhamma" in Pali. The centre is located on 8.5 acres on the outskirts of Youngstown, Alberta – a small farming village in the Canadian Badlands. This area is noted for its wildlife including waterfowl, deer, antelope and moose. It is also famous for some of the most important fossil deposits in the world, including the Bearpaw Shale. Youngstown is three to five hours by car from four major cities: Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, and Regina and Saskatoon in the neighboring province of Saskatchewan.
- 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.
Alberta Vipassana Meditation Centre Dhamma Karuṇā Tel: [1](403) 282-3413 Fax: [1](877) 230-9484 Email: [email protected] | Mailing address: Alberta Vipassana FoundationPO Box 84124 Market Mall Calgary, AB, T3A 5C4 |
Applications will be accepted beginning on the date specificed at about 8:00 am Mountain time.
Courses may be cancelled with limited notice should the Governament of Alberta public health measures require cancellation or if within 5 days before start of a course, a sufficient number of servers or Assistant teachers are unavailable to support the course.
During the registration process, you will be receiving a number of e-mails from us. If you don't receive these emails, please check your Spam/Junk Mail box.
Until further notice and for the safety and benefit of all participants at Dhamma Karuna, only individuals who are fully inoculated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to the first day of their course (i.e. received two doses of a vaccine approved by Canadian public health authorities) will be accepted to participate in that course. No exceptions for those with medical exemptions will be made at this time.
To ensure admission into the course, please bring either a digital or printed copy of your record of vaccination to the Centre.
Before applying for a course, please note that the Alberta Vipassana Foundation has implemented the following changes to our course offerings to comply with Government of Alberta's public health orders and guidance, and its COVID-19 operating protocols.
- Menu choices are limited and special diets cannot be accomodated at this time.
- Masks must be worn at the Centre at all times except when eating or drinking, outside or alone in one's residence or bathroom.
- The Ride Share Board is closed.
- Only small-sized courses are being offered (10 male students and 10 female students), so waitlists will also be limited.
- Your acceptance to attend a course is conditional on you completing an on-line Covid-19 Screening Form at least three days before the first day of your course.
- If you have a medical health condition that puts you at greater risk of serious illness should you contract COVID-19, please consider applying for a course at a later date.
The Alberta Vipassana Foundation continues to closely monitor the Government of Alberta's COVID-19 public health orders and guidance, and will return to unrestricted enrollment as soon as it is able to do so in a safe and beneficial manner for all.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Oct - 20 Oct | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Completed | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
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| 20 Oct - 31 Oct | 10-Day | In Progress | Youngstown | ||
| Apply | 31 Oct - 10 Nov | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Servers - Open | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
| Apply | 10 Nov - 21 Nov | 10-Day | Women - Course Full Men - Course Full Servers - Open | Youngstown |
Male and Female Servers are needed for the course Servers are asked to arrive on Nov 09, 2021 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
| Apply | 21 Nov - 03 Dec | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Servers - Open | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
| Apply | 03 Dec - 12 Dec | Satipatthana Sutta | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Youngstown |
For old students Servers are asked to arrive on Dec 02, 2021
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| 12 Dec - 22 Dec | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 12 Nov | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 22 December, 2021 - 02 January, 2022 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 23 Oct | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on Dec 21, 2021 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Jan - 19 Jan | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 02 Dec | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 19 Jan - 30 Jan | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Nov | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on Jan 18, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
|
| 30 Jan - 16 Feb | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 30 Dec | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 16 Feb - 27 Feb |
10-Day
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 19 Dec | Youngstown |
**Priority will be given to French speaking applicants** Servers are asked to arrive on Feb15, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations are required. Please see top of the page for details |
|
| 27 Feb - 16 Mar | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 27 Jan | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 16 Mar - 27 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 15 Jan | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on March 15, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 27 Mar - 06 Apr | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 27 Feb | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 06 Apr - 17 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 05 Feb | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on April 5, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 17 Apr - 24 Apr | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 17 Mar | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
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| 24 Apr - 15 May | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting 25 Dec | Youngstown |
For old students Servers are asked to arrive on April 23, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 15 May - 25 May | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 15 Apr | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 25 May - 05 Jun | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Mar | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on May 24, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 05 Jun - 08 Jun | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 05 May | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
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| 08 Jun - 12 Jun | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 09 Apr | Youngstown |
For old students Servers are asked to arrive on June 07, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 12 Jun - 15 Jun | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 12 May | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
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| 15 Jun - 26 Jun | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Apr | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on June 14, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 26 Jun - 27 Jul | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 26 May | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
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| 27 Jul - 07 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 28 May | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on July 26, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 07 Aug - 17 Aug | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 07 Jul | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
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| 17 Aug - 28 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Jun | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on Aug 16, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 28 Aug - 14 Sep | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 28 Jul | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
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| 14 Sep - 25 Sep | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Jul | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on Sep 13, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 25 Sep - 12 Oct | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 25 Aug | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
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| 12 Oct - 16 Oct | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 13 Aug | Youngstown |
For old students Servers are asked to arrive on Oct 11, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 16 Oct - 26 Oct | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 16 Sep | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 26 Oct - 06 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 27 Aug | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on Oct 25, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 06 Nov - 18 Nov | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 06 Oct | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 18 Nov - 27 Nov | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 19 Sep | Youngstown |
For old students
COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
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| 27 Nov - 21 Dec | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 27 Oct | Youngstown |
For old students As part of COVID preventative measures - All servers who take part in Work periods are expected to bring their own Eggless Vegetarian Meals. |
|
| 21 December, 2022 - 01 January, 2023 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 22 Oct | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on Dec 20, 2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations Required. See top of the page for details. |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
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://karuna.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.
